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Wednesday, 21 December 2011

Fox Sports FC - any football? Show needs further tweaking dunnit.

Now I love a good yarn as much as the rest of them but is it me or has Fox Sports FC just reduced itself to talk and more talk.......wake up!

You'd hardly know the show was about football from the visual hour.

Hardly a piece of football action in the show last night, especially in the first 45 mins. A good interview with Rhys Williams - and interesting interviews from Kossie and the Chair of Adelaide United.

But where is the football?

A talkfest - or a bore fest?

Really if we do need to hear Harps and Bozzo's opinions on Adelaide United - at least put it with some season footage so we don't have to listen so intently to the "analysis." But surely the key men - the Chair and Kossie covered anything the presenters could tell us. We're not thick we heard what they said and can make our own judgement.

And when time is short - as Andy Maher always tells us it is - we simply repeat, get guests to repeat what Harps and Bozza asks.

"Heard anything more on the Tevez move to Milan," Bozza/Harps asks. To which ex-star London based footballer says...no but it looks like he'll move to Milan in January.

Hasn't the guys from Fox heard of the internet - we're all over it!

We want more football video, more football analysis through video, and if we're having good interviews, and we are, lets cut the Harps and Bozza drivel - time is too short.

And get Mel to host the show - she's at the games, she's got the knowledge and she's a great host. Do it!

Andy is fine but he doesn't add anything in terms of footy nous, footy credibility. He doesn't feel like "he is football."

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Tuesday, 20 December 2011

A-League professionalism shines through.....again, and again

Two bits of A-League off field brilliance to make you weep this festive sesason.

Marcos Flores is brilliant - and still United couldn't win the league - well lets sign the Coach up for four years and let Flores go.....

Loving the A-League business minds working hard around the country prior to the season and now the chooks have come to roost.

Perth Glory - remember the review, get yer man Fergie in and another dodgy Brazilian import, pour money into a couple of overseas washed-up Irishmen and of course watch the ageing Aussies and Kiwi's sign up for another round of easy money.

Tony Sage has spent heaps and got nothing to show for it - other than the injured Scott Neville what are, who are Perth Glory?

Is Jamie Coyne less Perth than Andrezinho, is Billy Celeski less Perth than Steven McGarry, is Tando Velaphi less Perth than Danny Vukovic, Danny McBreen less than Billy Mehmet, Nikolai Topor-Stanley less Perth than Bas Van Den Brink and so on and on it goes.

Tony gets angry - but Tony get some advice and do your dough properly and build a real club before, some stability build around it before it's too late.

Who is advising you?

Local Agents or the PFA?

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Friday, 16 December 2011

Brisbane Roar: Now we all know how to beat them, or is Ange really the master coach?

The Salary Cap has struck again.

Brisbane Roar have lost Thomas Broich, Henrique, Matt Smith and other key players in recent weeks and as a result despite continuing to boss possession, key goals have been conceded and a lack of attacking penetration has seem the team suffer three defeats in a row.

Imagine Barcelona not being able to replace David Villa, Manchester United Darren Fletcher etc etc. The top clubs have a heap of (spare)players - think of Man City's bench, Nazri for $20 million rarely starts - even their bench in Argentina! (Tevez)

The Salary Cap is good for the A-League, no doubt about that.

Whilst the Mariners are perhaps the best match for the Roar and that makes this weekends game fascinating - the Roar despite their possession style have shown glaring weaknesses can be exposed.

And the recent record breakers do have glaring weaknesses, do they not?

  • The now famous high line can easily be broken - can your team finish?
  • Defend, narrowly, in huge numbers - the Roar will struggle to breakthrough and rarely vary their attack.
  • Speed of ball - once the Roar slow the ball the threat is gone. Teams can easily monitor this during a game.
The Roar can be beaten - can Ange come up with solutions with or without his star men?

Not conceding would be a start?

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Tuesday, 13 December 2011

Nearpost poddie goes where Fox Sports FC dare to tread. We talk Robbie!

Nick Cumpston, Paddy Bordier and Lucy Zelic talk Aussie football

We've got Aussie football covered. All the news. Socceroos, A-League and W-League: all the footy news and talk. How many football poddies only cover Aussie football?

We are clearly Australia's number one football poddie, apart from all the others, We discuss all the news from Australian football. What more could you wish for from the Australian media?

Download.
or play right from your computer....

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Monday, 12 December 2011

Mem sets new bar for brilliant - and fyi it was Archie not Harry

The newspapers are reporting Harry was brilliant, brilliant, - or his Coach Mem thought he was.

Guess what the text I received from a football mate straight after the game said, "Kewell ordinary."

And I might be "just a blogger" but I know brilliance when I see it.

Lionel Messi Sunday morning - absolutely brilliant.

Archie Thompson, goal, movement and touch - Saturday night - brilliant.

Harry Kewell - good in parts - missed two sitters - got in on the act VERY late on. Brilliant - there Mem's words not mine.

Marcus Rojas pass for Kewell late on - that was brilliant - what Harry did with it was just okay - he didn't score, no-one scored, no-one received it.

A new bar for brilliant?

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Wednesday, 7 December 2011

Great night for Aussie football: Adelaide into Asia

The FFA and Adelaide United held their breadth at the Asian Casino last night...and won.

United have won direct entry into the Asian Champions League - meaning Australia now has three teams in the group stages for the first time.

More exciting than watching Lou Sticca's fundraiser in Melbourne? You bet.

United were in with 4 other teams fighting for the last two spots - with the losers going to the very expensive, little revenue, lesser Asia Cup. Fortunately two Asian countries blinked - calculating they couldn't afford to gamble in the play-offs and lose and dropped out.

And then there were 3.

United were given direct access with the two remaining sides to play-off for the last spot.

How good is that!

Now Rini Coolen if you can just get the club on track and playing..well like the Reds can....you now have even more incentive to build the club. Wonder if you will still be there come next week never mind next year.

Pity we couldn't have had a play-off in Australia for that last Asian place - would have been awesome.

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Beckham bores? Sticca: a strange fan of football?

35,000 fans turned up to the quietest Melbourne Victory I've ever heard.

Big Boo to Promoter Lou Sticca. Imagine taking a team to play Celtic, Man United or Liverpool and saying your home supporter end, The Jungle, the Stretford End or The Kop are not allowed to sit in their usual places. Call yourself a football fan Lou - think not.

And have you ever heard anything like that at a Victory home game.

Nice one Lou - who can fill your coffers next year? Beckham to Gold Coast, Beckham to Adelaide, Beckham to Perth - keep going he's only 36!

As for the game - good to see Melbourne taking it seriously - the Galaxy looked like Lou had told them - to attack, only defend with three and in the first half do not tackle any Victory players in your own box. It worked. Victory looked a little better than they usually have this season.

As for Galaxy they lifted their tempo and tactics in the second half - they ran back!

Never much interested in friendlies of any team at any level.

But was interested to see 35,000 fans at the game in Melbourne and noticeably fewer Victory shirts etc in a very very quiet crowd.

Did any Victory fans go?

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Tuesday, 6 December 2011

Nearpost Football Podcast December 6th

Aaron Walker, Nick Cumpston and Nick Amies talk Aussie football

We've got Aussie football covered. All the news. Socceroos and A-League and all the footy news and talk. How many football poddies only cover Aussie football?

We are clearly Australia's number one football poddie, apart from all the others, We discuss all the news from Australian football. What more could you wish for from the Australian media?

Download.
or play right from your computer....

Read More...

Monday, 5 December 2011

Brisbane lost - Sydney find an attacker? Commentators entertain

Great weekend for the believers in young Australian football players, attacking players.

Bernie Ibini, Mustafa Amini, Demi Petratos, Mate Dugandzic just some of the young Aussies hitting the net - and three of them are Under 20.

Laugh: Robbie Slater in his column on Sunday discussed how to beat the Roar - and he mentioned how Sydney would miss THE PACE of Mark Bridge.

Well to all football fans Mark Bridge has many things but pace he ain't.

Think pace think Petratos - he's now scored as many goals this season as Bridge!

And one for Jan Versliejan - playing Petratos in the midfield in the Youth World Cup was a huge mistake - his short passing game is erratic, he has pace, many skills (sometimes) and an eye for a goal. Maybe Vitaslav Lavicka learned a thing or two about his forward line yesterday.

Sydney got lucky - an early goal, a dodgy corner and unlike the previous time they played Brisbane they took their chances and for once Liam Reddy didn't do anything too stupid. Remember the first game?

As for Brisbane - well had to laugh at Fox Sports Commentators saying Sydney were fantastic in the first half.

70% possession to the Roar suggested something else.

And in Adelaide wasn't it great to see young Aussies getting a goal each. Amini has made the headlines but there is a lot to like about Bernie Ibini-Isei and he's the perfect foil for Matt Simon - more skill, more nous and more pace. Working well.

And if Sydney can beat the Roar - well how much for the Mariners chances?

Sydney with Terry Antonis to refire, Mark Bridge to return will continue to do well - especially away from home. And if their keeper can keep clean sheets they will improve. A big if!

The Mariners on the other hand - how far can they go?

The Roar might have the record but the Mariners are going to challenge them pretty hard I reckon.

A 36 game run and only three points ahead - not unasailable is it?
And in Josh Rose and Pedj Bojic we have a carbon copy of Ivan Franjic and Shane Stefanutto.

Compare the other full backs around the league - Jamie Coyne, Scott Jamieson, Fabio, the guys in Adelaide, you get my drift. Which teams have the best defensive and attacking full-backs. Which teams are 1 and 2!

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Saturday, 3 December 2011

Lynchy after FFA award like Cockerill as well?

Mike Cockerill got his FFA Award this week, and fair play to him. You do the time, 30 years - you get an award.

I'm no fan of Mike's football analysis, he knows that - his tactical and player movements on and around the park leave a lot to be desired for this football fan. I grew up in the UK!

His newspaper work is different - he rarely analyses the football from a tactical perspective. But writes the stories of the day. Often over the years using his job to push dumb ideas - Richard Porta for one, Wollongong A-League beat-ups another, big crowd coming to the SFS yet another - and of course his particular own vitriole in the Harry Kewell saga down the years.

Odd that one - personal, yes, professional? I'd question. Certainly more Daily Telly than SMH.

And now we have his comrade at Fairfax down in Melbourne doing the same. Lynchy a far better football writer in my view, is now hammering Kewell at every opportunity.

Pay back time for Bernie Mandic's refusal to allow Harry to talk to Mike and Mick down the years? Or does Lynch see the only way to get into the FFA Hall of Fame is to follow Mike Cockerill and slag Kewell!

Bizarre stuff - by my count the last four major Lynchy pieces have been having a go at Harry. Does he deserve that many questions over his personal coach, his contribution, his contract - and all in the space of a week or two - or since Bernie left.

Maybe Bernie gone, it's time to write about Harry - negatively. Maybe Bernie protected Harry better than we knew!

Dunno - but it all seems very odd, the strength of analysis, the amount of analysis. Odd timing.

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Finally some sense: FFA and PFA need lesson in business - quick!

The Smith Report outlined what we already know:

The FFA are a financial management basket case - similarly the PFA.

How else to explain the loss of player wages, clubs and owners in the last 7 years?

In 7 years football has received and earned more money than ever, and yet the professional A-League clubs have spewed out more money, more owners and more clubs than we could ever have imagined.

Well I'm sick of seeing the FFA pour football money into failed clubs - and if clubs are losing $20/25 million per year - only an idiot and the PFA would say that we should keep increasing wages - or even maintain them.

Football in Australia at all levels has been pretty naive - nay thick - these last seven years. How much money have we thrown away?

It happens in the A-League, in your local league, It rips the game of any long term future; in Canberra it's even worse. No-one watches players in the ACT and yet they can get over $400 per game - but that's another pathetic story.

In the A-League - the focus here - we've seen the fantastic FFA/PFA and mad-cap owner schemes. Pay players way more than we can afford and hope what - the team wins, a few more get through the gate at your club, or owners simply continue to pour money in before they walk or are broke. Brilliant model isn't it.

And besides if wages go up and the revenue base doesn't it makes it even harder for any new clubs to enter. And shouldn't we be aiming at getting more clubs not less into our league in future?

Seems to me the whole football family needs a lesson in basic business - revenue = costs or thereabouts.

We tried the PFA/FFA model - spend as much as you want.

Owners at:

Jets, Brisbane, Fury, Auckland, Wellington, Victory, Sydney FC, Perth, Central Coast, Adelaide all gone or going.

What does the PFA and it's members think of that? Did that help the long-term security of their members?

PFA can shout all they want but getting more money ain't no good if the revenue model across the FFA, the clubs, etc is a basket case.

Yep we can all wait for the TV deal - let's hope there are some clubs left by then - but even that will only - possibly - cover current losses.

Will the PFA not demand more as soon as the deal comes in?

Would be nice if FFA actually scrutinised clubs business models when they enter the league - from what I've seen they have been a basket case in leadership.

And the PFA - yep get a great wage model for you players - but really reducing the Salary Cap is a must - reducing the minimum wage no way. Now you work out how that can be done!

And then all your members might be paid for longer.

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Thursday, 1 December 2011

$7 million for football (Asian Cup), more to come - Smith Report out today.

$7 million for early work associated with hosting the 2015 Asian Cup.

From the Smith Report into Football released today

More to read!

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Wednesday, 30 November 2011

Fox Sports FC: Sexist..surely not and more football please!

Fox Sports FC has changed this year and it's not a great look or feel for the better in my opinion.

Adam Peacock couldn't control the boys Bozza and Slater so a change had to come I guess. Simon Hill and Andy Harper as hosts were always excellent.

Now we have Andy Maher as host, no probs with him, not great as a football lead but professional, and Andy Harper and Mark Bosnich as the experts. And I reckon they are two of our best most credible though Bozza is starting to head the talk just a little too much - too much of a good thing maybe?

But the three things that irritate me:

First having the Men, this week it was Mike Cockerill on the couch - not a great look. But hey each to their own as the men spread their legs.

But what are they doing with Mel Mcclouglin?

It's truly embarrassing. I know Bozza and Robbie couldn't respect her enough to enable a proper conversation with Mel as a professional host, that was tedious and they were a disgrace - but shoving her to the "girlie" news anchor. It's pathetic. Shades of Marianne Rudan and co on SBS?

Read Les' book - it's no surprise.

For Fox Sports: Why have Mel on at all - she's not allowed to contribute in the football debates - and I'd argue she be as good if not better than Andy Maher as a host - but would the boys treat her with the respect as a professional - she deserves it. Harps would.

We've a long way to go in perfecting the show - reduce the talk a tad, show a bit more (Aussie) football, but either use Mel as she is. An articulate, knowledgeable football presenter with a long-term career in the game ahead of her.

Or ditch her - the news in the corner girl, not allowed to speak - give me a break.

Who thought of that idea?

And I know we have to have all that English pap but really some talking head has been to tell us what is happening in the UK - more football less talk.

Surely Harps and Bozza can analyse the footy from the UK - but guess you have to show it first!

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Obesity Australia watches AFL, Union and League, while healthy Aussies play football:) Football has more participants than AFL, League and Union combined in Australia!

Well what other conclusion could you make!

Football is unquestionably Australia’s team participation sport, boasting higher participation than the three other football codes combined

This is the official figures in the FFA's Strategic Plan.

With the focus back on the linking of the football community we can really push on to improve the game across the community. And we certainly need it with local clubs in many areas struggling to compete with under used and over resourced AFL, Netball, Rugby League and Union community facilities.


And of course with the 2015 AFC Asian Cup to be held in Australia - even if we miss out on the 2014 World Cup just six months later we'll be back on track bigger and better.

Here we go, here we go, here we go......

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A-League riches wasted 2011: Will Solorzano ever play?

Juan Carlos Solarzano, Melbourne Victory now ex-Brisbane Roar.

He came he played he scored. And how frustrating is it to see him not even on the Victory bench.

Could he be loaned out?

A-League teams are crying out for strikers and to think one of last years best isn't even getting a game.....what a waste in a league short on quality finishers.

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Tuesday, 29 November 2011

Majura FC looking for Technical Facilitator

Up to $40 per hour, (that's more than Capital Football), 100 hours per year, here's a chance to get involved at football at a grassroots level.

My local club are after a Technical Football Facilitator - why not forward to anyone who may be interested. Do them a favour!

Great support from...well people like me...a club with a desire to improve football learning and development for all our players and a real focus on the 6-12 age group in 2012.

If you love football, love kids, community and want to get involved in improving our young players using the most up-to-date FFA methods make a play today!

You are not alone, the club already has:

Technical Football Committee to support you, Football Pre-season and Summer programs already running, an increasing number of licenced coaches, our first C Licence coach, more Rep players than ever, all 5-6s working with a ball, U7s training at school venues every week - all with a ball.

Slowly but surely we're improving football for our kids. Like to help?

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Monday, 28 November 2011

Is Harry finished? Someone's got to ask it.

Now Craig Foster and the like can ooze over Harry's nice touch, his nice pass - so can I - but come on Australia - how many has there been?

Is the Emperor wearing any clothes?

We all want Harry to do Harry stuff - but Carlos is outperforming him. If you want skill, touch and goals look to Carlos Hernandez.

Harry Kewell may have a lot to contribute but how long will we have to wait. In the meantime Archie is being Archie, Carlos Carlos not to mention those pesky Roar entertainers up North.

Sure Harry can bring a lot to a team he was advising on the field yesterday (loved to know what he was saying) - but what is he bringing with his feet, with the ball.

Minimal by anyone's standards?

A great penalty, a few touches yesterday but too many times the greatest Australian player was caught in possession unable to move quickly enough to get out of trouble.

Is Harry finished. After seven games it's a fair question......but you didn't hear it from me!

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A-League winners were....Brisbane, Central Coast, and Welly

Brisbane thrashed Perth Glory with a stunning display against arguably the most inept visitors since....well Adelaide United.

How good do Wellington look compared to these two teams. And this a Perth team that did so well in Melbourne just last week. What does that tell us about Melbourne?

Wellington done Sydney - Liam Reddy has really made his mark - and the Central Coast continue to impress.

The Victory saga is interesting. This league is never dull!

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Best we've ever played? Says who?

Melbourne Victory's first half performance was the best they've ever played this season according to Coach Mehmet Durakovic.

Blimey!

I know the standard has been poor this season but best they've ever played takes the biscuit.

A flukey penalty gave them a 1-0 lead after 40 seconds and then after the usual huff and bluff died down at Aami Stadium the Gold Coast started to turn the screw.

So much better were the Victory - Gold Coast through Jonas Salley and some comical defending hit the post. Victory went down and somehow got the second softest decision your likely to see in the A-League. Two penalties - 2-0 and not a chance created.

The shocking Victory defence; Fabio still unable to defend, and Roddy Vargas aiming to make a big impact in his, surely, final season were giving the Gold Coast opportunities galore. And then Vargas makes a game of it by diving in to a stupid tackle around half-way.

The Victory gave away a terrible penalty from a defenders viewpoint, before Fabio contrived to allow the Gold Coast in for 2-2.

Billy Celeski finally looking aggressive and back to his best, fed Carlos and Archie on the break and somehow a win was contrived.

Victory's defence is a shambles, surely Matty Kemp above Fabio. Fabio is there for the taking every week and with Adrian Leijer and Roddy Vargas clearly exposed now Kevin Muscat has gone - the Victory will be lucky to get above the pack at this rate.

Shades of Ernie.

Despite all the hullaballo from the new signings it was Billy, Carlos and Archie who hit em on the break. Fast.

This was Victory's best weapon under Ernie. How long can it continue?

With the A-League improving even the Central Coast could predict Archie's long ball chases these days.

Victory might have played a little better - but it was still dire.

Mehmet: you're dreaming!

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Friday, 25 November 2011

Tim Cahill - giving back to Aussie grassroots.....really?

Tim, let's call a spade a spade mate!

Seems having seen this stuff promoted across Australia on every media set going I'd thought I'd ask the question.

Is this Tim Cahill program really giving back to grassroots football?

Now we all know Tim is a great bloke, has great compassion for Australia causes and has been a great role model for many both on the sporting and family field, and far be it for me to criticise Tim, but does anyone else feel the, "I really want to give back to the grassroots" line is a great big Scouse mickey-take.

Each kid gets 2 or 3 days of football at the Tim Cahill clinics for $200 per kid.

Yes, $200 per kid and in January not a Tim - I'm too busy giving back to grassroots - Cahill in sight.

If 100 kids (could it be 200 in Sydney?) particpate makes a cool $20,000 per clinic and with VOLUNTEER coaches advertised on the website - what costs for Timmaaaayyy!

Across the country 4 kids (boys?) will be plucked to travel all expenses paid to Everton although it's not easily sighted on the website.

Though I guess these will be the best kids - interesting motivation one suspects.

And those that miss out will....miss out.

Tim won't be there at the Clinics, he'll be playing for Everton - but should we really expect to pay $200 for 3 days to see Tim - or not see Tim?

The most expensive football clinics to come to Canberra?

Sure what kid wouldn't be up for a trip to Everton. Nice one. But doesn't sound like Tim is giving much back to me - in fact $200 for a 2 or 3 days of football when packaged in "I'm giving back to Australian kids" leaves me a little empty.

Come on Tim, it's a business decision and fair play to you.
You might have sucked Ray Gatt and the rest of the Aussie media in but not me.

I expect the cost of a trip to cost ....well maybe a flight if your club or Emirates and co don't pay...so one kid $2,000 maximum costs each maybe...and of course at a minimum of $20,000 per clinic......

We see a lot of clinics come to town, few as expensive as Tim's - and yet he's giving back?

For $150 the kids team I'm involved with get 16 games in-season, two trainings per week, plus two football one day/one week carnivals, plus 8 weeks x 2 sessions pre-season - plus 8 sessions over 8 Summer weeks - and absolutely no chance of visiting Everton!

Talk about someone giving back to grassroots - oh and the money doesn't go to me it goes to my local football organisation/club.

Funny I know a million men and women like me.

Who is giving back?

Great website, great player, but really doing all this for Aussie kids - the numbers don't add up do they?

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Asia Aussie's 3rd Spot - let two Aussie teams play-off. Excitement anyone?

Looks like Australia will get a third spot in AFC Champions League in 2012. This will be based on the team which came third in 2011.

And there in lies the beauty of the Aussie system.

Who knows who really came third?

Some say Gold Coast United - some say Adelaide United.

So why not have a one-off play-off, based at Hindmarsh for as many reasons as you want.

Adelaide came 3rd under one system
Two legs is boring.
Gold Coast at home wouldn't pull a crowd.
Gold Coast would take their home game there anyway.

We don't have relegation but an almight scrap for an Asia spot - I like!

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Wednesday, 23 November 2011

Andre Slory's gone - now give the Aussies a go.

I'm cheering at the Nearpost!

Iain Ramsay is certain to get more game time now Dutch star Andre Slory has left the game.

Isn't it time we gave our younger players ago rather than taking washed-up overseas stars who have lost their love of the game.

We don't want you, and we don't want you coming here to reinvigorate yourself - unless you're Tomas Broich or bloody good.

Slory was neither! A high risk at best.

Play the Aussies Rini Coolen.

And for good measure, Fabio and Steven McGarry should be on the next flight too. What do they give that an Aussie couldn't?

That should be the measure.

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Melbourne Victory Mess: Actually is it Ernie's midfield legacy?

It started with Ernie - Mehmet inherited and added to the mess and now look where we are.

The Victory midfield has been a debacle since Fred left. His fast running midfield added much to Archie Thompson and a younger Danny Allsopp's firepower but how many years ago was that.

And was the style sustainable in Asia - or even the A-League. Okay against Ross Aloisi and Andre Gumprecht but Endo and Matt MacKay, never.

The game changes, players age and Coaches move on.

Ernie's legacy? An ageing playing roster with Roddy Vargas, Grant Brebner and Leigh Broxham, and Adrian Leijer at the spine. Does that inspire you?

It couldn't cope - ever - in Asia, and that has to be the measure.

In Australia they've struggled as well. How long can you rely on the magic of Archie or the running of Allsopp. No longer, not now Brisbane, the Mariners and even dare I say Sydney and Perth have your measure.

Victory wanted Simon Colosimo for a reason - they knew.

Melbourne can still win - but for what and why. The biggest club can never play the beautiful game.

They simply have no midfield worthy of the name.

Grant Brebner - too many long balls, Leigh Broxham - not creative is he - and an ageing Tom Pondlejak rejected by the Mariners so many years ago. Has he really got anything left?

So where to now with what they have?

They have Harry Kewell a great left-sided player, they may have to suffer Broxham in the holding role and why not Isaac Cernak or Billy Celeski on the right.

A mobile game today.

If Carlos Hernandez is 10, Archie, Solarzano and Rojas present a force. Play them, or two of them.

A mixture of youth and pace in the forwards, now get some shape and build for next season. A la the Jets and let's see some improvement and quick.

It cannot be hard to improve can it?

In defence the centre pairing is woeful, get rid of Fabio and place Matty Kemp left. Right side? Surely one of the young mobile guns can fill and improve in the spot.

For next year: think Marvin Angulo, Fred, you need a midfield that is DIFFERENT to an ageing Brebner and Broxham. Different from Ernie's vision.

That is the real problem.

If that is the midfield duo the club wants - the club will get the results they deserve.

We've seen them in Asia - outclassed, embarassing and yet still the club persists.

Ernie's legacy?

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Tuesday, 22 November 2011

Nearpost Football Podcast November 22nd: Australia vs Thailand, A-League Round 7 and more

Aaron Walker, Nick Cumpston and Nick Amies talk Aussie football

We've got Aussie football covered. All the news. Socceroos and A-League and all the footy news and talk. How many football poddies only cover Aussie football?

We are clearly Australia's number one football poddie, apart from all the others, We discuss all the news from Australian football. What more could you wish for from the Australian media?

Download.
or play right from your computer....

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Mehmet what have you done to Marco Rojas?

The real shame of the fiasco down in Melbourne is not:

The dismal style of football they are playing - we've seen that before.
Not the lack of game time for Costa Rican Juan Carlos Solarzano.
The signing of Fabio.

Now it is the destruction of young Kiwi star Marcos Rojas.

Marco Rojas came to Melbourne Victory a star on the rise.

Well what happened to the young Kiwi who lit up the A-League and All Whites last year with some eye catching displays last year.

This year the young player moved to the biggest club in Australia, Melbourne Victory and we all thought he'd take the next step.

He started lively, Mehmet Durakovic pumping the young fella up telling media he is just to go out and enjoy his football, "he's young."

Well young Marco is fast turning into the most under-confident, small (never a problem last year) slow young Kiwi we've even seen.

Oh Mehmet what have you done?

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Monday, 21 November 2011

Mariners magic? Sydney can't fire without Antonis?

They missed beating the greatest team in Australian football by four minutes in the Grand Final last year - and even with a few Olyroos missing they still comfortably accounted for an in-form Sydney FC.

Bernie Ibini-Isei has lifted the Mariners. Younger than McBreen more skilled than Matt Simon he's a forward with an increasing goal threat. And he's young.

Sydney are supposed to be super fit this year, but the Mariners had them on toast.

Sydney took, like Melbourne Victory, way too long to move the ball in attacking areas. Too many touches and Terry McFlynn was clearly wanting to get out of this game early. His tackles, even after being booked were pathetic.

Sydney had the ball plenty in the first half, but don't have a goal threat at the pointy end. Mark Bridge is not a goal threat. He missed again - and how Sydney need a strikers goal early.

Not fast to transition in attack and despite an improved midfield Sydney can't produce an effective final ball. Then again Bridge the sole striker is no Archie Thompson or Shane Smeltz. He's not fast and doesnt run off the shoulder. In short he's not looking to score is he?

Terry Antonis looked exhausted and Sydney had little to excite.

Vitaslav has never produced exciting teams - Champion winning but never exciting. And he seems to be working hard on slowing down the attacking opportunities in this team.

Michael Beauchamp did a Liam Reddy - and was punished. Sydney conceded three - you can't win if you do that can you?

How Vitaslav must have looked longingly at the battering ram style and running of the Mariners strikers. Not to mention the skill of Bernie.

No Oliver Bozanic, no Matt Ryan and Musti Amini coming off the bench - I'd rather be Arnie than Vitaslav on this form.

Then again Sydney have a style of play suitable for away days - and when Terry Antonis fires Sydney will still win this year - just not at home!

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Melbourne a mess?

There has been some exciting, fast running Victory teams over the past seven years but this is not one of them.

In fact I'm close to declaring it the worst team the Victory has ever produced.

When you see Danny Allsopp and Archie Thompson lining up together it might bring back memories for older players but fans of the game know that partnership is little threat.

In midfield the controller Leigh Broxham is moved at half-time, Billy Celeski has never returned to his best since his serious injury and Tom Pondeljak is older than Archie, Danny Allsopp and slower than Carlos Hernandez at 35.

Perth were unlucky not to win - even with 10 men. Melbourne had the most disjointed performance in the A-League since....well the last time tehy played.

They need Harry - he at least can control the ball and find a player.

Fabio is well over-rated, Matty Kemp should be on the left where he is best.

But a midfield that can't pass one touch, move themselves and the ball quickly in the A-Leagues these days are dead.

The Victory say they go well in training - but that's teh point they are playing against themselves!

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Wednesday, 16 November 2011

Fox Sports: Thai's can still qualify - possibly favourites to as well!

Now I know Australia won last night but Fox Sports continue to suggest this was Thailand's last chance.

They must win - or get a draw to stay alive was the verdict from Australia's best football commentator, Simon Hill. Simon is always on the ball, pretty much always correct on this stuff so I was surprised when he went down this line again and again.

Well I reckon Thailand are not only right in the mixer - they are my favourites to take the second spot.

If they beat Oman - not impossible - and Australia beat Saudi Arabia - not impossible, guess waht Thailand go through.

And we need them in the second phase to get two wins!

Just thought I let everyone know. Not like Fox Sports Football to get this stuff sooooo wrong!

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Holman our saviour - do you remember Oceania.

Socceroos won in Bangkok last night.

And wasn't it fantastic. Tense, tight and terrific football - from the Thai's at least. With a packed stadium in downtown flooded Bangkok the Aussies are no longer in Oceania.

And remember this is only the first group stage.

We needed a point - but if Robbie Kruse didnt know which of the Sutkee brothers at the end he played with in Melbourne - Michael Zullo had a fair idea by the end of the night.

Zullo was exposed, and exposed again as the Thai's set about the space behind him. Oh dear - Japan and Korea will murder him and his mate Matthew Spiranovic if they perform list this.

Brett Holman walked all night - no energy, probably injured, and Australia lacked forward purpose, forward intelligence.

And so we soaked the pressure from a team ranked 100+.

The Thai's tired in the second half and the Aussie fitness began to show. The pressure eased somewhat - and eased further when Brett Emerton able to get forward late-on (still got the energy Brett) and eased the ball on to the head of Holman.

Surprised Holman was still on - but it was his forward run that released Emerton - and amazingly Holman ended up at the back post with Kennedy moving nearpost.

Holman won it - but gave us little else all night. He must be injured, tired or both.

Lot's to worry the Aussie Coach - but we're through and through early.

Oceania was never like this and football in Australia is better for it.

Can we get to Brazil - I don't think so - or if we do it will be tight.

Korea Republic destroyed us in the Asia Cup with their pass and movement - I don't think we have improved since then.

Carl Valeri and Mile Jedinak have got the job done so far - but is there a quality creative midfielder who could take Jedinak's position. Matt MacKay inside?

Good days and games ahead but if we can sneak through to Brazil with this squad surely we'll really be transitioned ahead of Qatar!

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Nearpost Podcast November 15th

Lucy Zelic, Nick Cumpston and Nick Amies talk Aussie football

We've got Aussie football covered. All the news. Socceroos and A-League and all the footy news and talk. How many football poddies only cover Aussie football?

We are clearly Australia's number one football poddie, apart from all the others, We discuss all the news from Australian football. What more could you wish for from the Australian media?

Download.
or play right from your computer....

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