Nearpost Football

Monday, 23 January 2012

Victory has no Muscat - it's that simple

Melbourne Victory were worse than ever - and yet that's despite changing the coach.

Kevin Muscat has been told to work on the defence!

He'd be better doing a Paul Scholes and get himself back on the pitch.

Adrian Leijer and Roddie Vargas are not just weak, but have been exposed all season and how is Leijer a leader.

Another shocking defensive performance from the Captain yesterday.

With the midfield looking to Leigh Broxham for domination and control, Jacob Burns must have been laughing his boots off. Probably even put his shinpads away.

Perth simply destroyed the Victory. Defensive blunders came thick and fast. And Victory looked a complete mess.

No link play, no ball retention and incredibly exposed by the wonderful and oft criticised on this blog, Evan Berger.

A full back at Victory - his energy and skill perhaps much more to offer in a forward left-side role. Time will tell but he had his best and most exciting A-League game ever yesterday! Nice one Evan, great to see.

The bunch of old pros at Perth looked great for 45 minutes, but at 3-0 up they knew their job and legs were done and eased back.

Just as well.
Victory were simply embarrassing, Leijer was worse. Is that the Coaches fault if your Captain and defence are so poor?

Honeymoon over Jim?

Record crowd for Canberra United

The result was important - but the attendance of 1750 at the weekend semi final was a record for Canberra United, has all associated with football in Canberra delighted.

In fact the crowd increased by over 100% from the previous game - could the same happen for this weeks final?

Brisbane will take on United in the W-League final this weekend and it should be a cracker.

Local talk is more about what time you'll have to get their to secure one of the decreasing number of available seats!

462 - that's how many seats we have, and with an increasing membership, media and sponsors allocated seats there are hardly any left for the fans!

1.30pm - that's the word if you want to actually get a seat at the Grand Final next week. Alternatively a spot on the bank should be available but we all love a winner so who knows if the crowd could swell to capacity. A capacity of just 3,500!

Australian football media: Weekend highlights were in Canberra?

A bloggers role, in football, is perhaps simply to call and comment on things as they see them.

Free of entrepreneur "vision" or the paymasters check I can call it as I see it. Simple as that.

For too long Australian football media has produced unscintillating football reportage. Many still are uninspiring but with Fox on board, more bloggers we have an increasing varied and slowly but improving media.

Still we have dross and this weekend made me weep just a tad.

First check out this Tony Palumbo videi - I probably don't need to say more but would you put your story to air if you produced something for Youtube of this quality never mind SBS?

http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/video/2188312569/A-League-A-nalysis

Do you think in 2012 we could only use material of a professional standard, with something worth saying.

Then we have Robbie Slater with his continuing bewildering attack and analysis of SBS journo Craig Foster. Enough about that except to say as Robbie has seemingly and rightly lost his key role at Fox, although continues as a match commentator for now, maybe this is Robbie's desire to remain important. His ego has always been on display when he has been on-air, often endearing it seems to have taken over his commentary pieces.

To his detriment.

David Davutovic chipped in with a rather lame piece on the Women's game discussing how the women's game (yawn) has come such a long way - ahead of the Victory's semi-final. A strange piece given we've had five years or more of hugely increases in quality and media coverage of the women's game.

But it's not all bad - the Canberra Times had fantastic coverage of the United players leading into the semi-final. Each story was interesting had real information on players, tactics or their football journey. David take note!

Wednesday, 18 January 2012

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....

Canberra's biggest football game in years

When was the last time a Canberra team got to a football final, a home final?

Not the Cosmos - remember them?

So when Canberra United walk out for their home semi this weekend Canberra sports fans will be watching history in the making.

And while the Melbourne Victory will make a very tough opponent, United under new Czech Coach Jitka Klimkova have lifted to a new level this season.

Are they good enough to go one more?

The strike force is better than ever. US star Taryn Hemmings and young Queensland winger Hayley Ruso are both pacy, skilled and quality additions to Ash Sykes and the goalscoring machine Michelle Heyman.

Caitlin Munoz will be a big loss in midfield, but Jenny Bisset has caused many an eyebrow to rise this season as the local girl fulfills her huge potential. Isn't it great to see?

Sally Shipard and Grace Gill will give the team plenty of experience and skill, but it could be Jenny with her touch and shrewd passes that could unleash the United forwards.

Ellie Brush and the ever improving and fan favourite Caitlin Cooper have had strong seasons and Ellyse Perry and Nicole Sykes are phenomenal speed merchants out wide. Their athleticism is wonderful to watch.

Lydia Williams has had her best season ever. And that says something. Her confidence and shot stopping brilliance lift the whole support, never mind the team.

It's going to be another great day for football in Canberra - we don't have enough do we - but win or lose United have made history.

Enjoy the game, could be a nailbiter - C U in Green!

Why Sally Shipard rocks!

It's hot! Bloody hot.

Australian summer can be a bit like that, can't it, even this year. My friends are gathered, some want to sit close, others are over dressed, most in green.

Chocolate cake! On a summers day? I went for hot chips!

Move over, it's getting hotter, but there's no space, not in the Canberra stands.

United are at home!

How do they do it?

If you've ever played football - I did in England and loved it when the temperature soared to 11 degrees.

In Canberra in October it reached - 16 degrees one day. I nearly died!

Watch Sally Shipard. 30 degrees and more and she's running 40, 50 or even 80 metres to chase a ball, to stop the play, to make the play. For her team.

And with 70 minutes on the clock the sun blazing all game, and she doesn't just make the runs, she finishes with aggression and skill. And then goes back for more.

There are many thing to like about Canberra United this season, but if you are at the game on Saturday, the Semi-Final, and you're hot in the shade - just take a minute to admire the athleticism of Sally, of the whole team.

They really are phenomenal. Go United.

Monday, 16 January 2012

A-League on fire: Brilliant Kewell, Brilliant Brisbane.

Fantastic the football on the weekend.

Tucked into two games. Victory and Adelaide and Brisbane v Sydney.

What treats.

Harry Kewell turned back the clock with a wonderful performance, again. If Archie or Danny could have finished one or two of their Harry inspired chances Victory would have won.

But weren't Adelaide a joy...a joy. Great performance from the Reds. Great to see how a new Coach can get the team playing - that's four strong performances and the Reds are again worth watching.

And in Brisbane - if you missed that game - you have missed one of the games of the season.

Brilliant tense, tactical battle with lots of pace, skill and effort on display.

Hats off to both teams or should that be shirts with Berisha having a rant after the game.

Great to see Brisbane on the march again. Sydney could have done no more...and that remains their problem.

Who was the last British Coach to perform in Australia?

Robbie Slater has taken Craig Foster to task over Fozzie's article/analysis of Melbourne Victory's Coaching appointment.

Fozzie's article is intelligent, well thought out and something we need in this country - even if you don't agree with it's sentiment.

It adds to our football intelligence, it makes us think.

Robbie's reply is like a fan on a forum having a rant. It's unprofessional, lacks analysis and if his point is British Coaches are good - he hasn't been able to articulate this.

He hasn't taken the debate forward.

So when was the last British Coach to inspire a team in Australia at club level.

Terry Venables did well at National level - but failed ultimately - at 2-0 the great British Coach was unable to close the Iran game out. His ultimate test, the ultimate judgement?

Richard Money, Terry Butcher and Steve McMahon were rubbish. Some had stellar international careers and playing careers way way beyond Jim Magilton.

Ernie Merrick and Lawrie McKinna have been here way too long to be counted as British Coaches in my view - although the British influence remained. Ernie could never adapt his play to Asia - was this his UK influence? And indeed McKinna's team were pretty ordinary to watch.

So the recent evidence is British Coaches outside the very elite of the Premier League are a huge risk.

Playing/Coaching teams like Bolton, Stoke, Sunderland and all Championship teams does not give you much assistance in preparing for the Aussie game.

Our game is different, not necessarily better, just heading in a different way.

Having arrived in Australia in 1990 I took to the NSL lke a duck to water. I was pleasantly surprised by the style of play of all NSL teams. Much more emphasis on the ball possession than I'd ever seen in the UK bar Liverpool and Leeds back then.

Sure the whole squad wasn't at the individual levels of the UK teams but the way teams tried to play was different.

And today the A-League is much more football oriented than any Championship team and let's face it teams outside the Premier League big six are pretty dire to watch. Ever watched Wolves?

So Fozzie's points are important.

It's not anti-British necessarily, more anti the football culture, coaching etc those countries produce.

Adrian Leijer calling Magilton the Gaffer - stank to me.

Good luck to Jim - I hope he plays Harry on the left, and improves the team, but I'm with Fozz - the debate is bigger than Magilton and needs to be raised.

Can British Coaches outside the EPL really contribute to Australian Club Football - and where is the evidence in Australia that they have done this?

Friday, 13 January 2012

Jim 1 Mehmet 0: Coaching, so much more than tactics?

He's been here a week - who knows who the better Coach is - but football is often about bluff and baloney and the man from Belfast has it in spades...or so it seems.

Memhet has a deep rich voice but his media efforts were poor, didn't inspire or excite the fans. He couldn't explain his vision, looked frozen before the camera and when things got tough he had no bluster or baloney to fall back on.

Jim's got a look, the blue eyes and the media despite their Ockerness seem to be swooning for him.

A win tomorrow, with a little conviction and Harry starting to fire and Jim may well up the rhetoric a notch of two.

Football fans enjoy the brash and brazen. Mem was never that.

Jim has seen a few battles no doubt from Belfast to QPR and back. If he gets his team playing, and let's face it he has the talent on the park to assist - a little Irish blarney and a wee blue twinkle of the eye from the big man and the media may flirt a little more.

Who said Coaching was just about the football?

Jim's Victory v Kossie's United - a belter.

With Victory showing sides of improvement last week, and Harry Kewell turning in another quality performance tonight's game should be a belter.

Big crowd, great stadium and lots of footballers on the park.

If Victory can seal their defence, the team could gain some serious confidence and climb the ladder.

A turning point?

Last weeks game showed many defensive flaws again. Like Man United they score more at home than they let in but they keep giving chances away - too easily it seems? Can they keep it up?

No doubt the biggest loss to the team is Kevin Muscat as the defence has struggled in Adrian Leijer's "leadership" and defence.

With Adelaide playing on adrenaline this could be another cracker of a game down in Melbourne.

Tomorrow" Don't miss the return of Thomas Broich...finally.

A-League: Owners and fans are....mad! Ask the Coaches

Rini from Adelaide he's gone, Branko from Newcastle he's gone, Mehmet from Melbourne already gone...

A-League winner Vitaslav is surely going...The Jets give Championship winningrecently appointed Van Egmond a guarantee, Fergie is he really still there? and Miron draws 2,000 a week, crowd not dollars, and now is set to wear a mic in the half-time dressing room....

With all these contract breaks, threats etc the A-League owners must have money to burn on....Coaches.

The place is all gone mad.

God help yer man Jim if he doesn't win a few games - he might not last till March, Arnie is safe, Ricky is across the ditch and out of harms way, and that leaves Ange - come to think of it he lost a few just recently!

How much does a Pro-Licence cost?

Sunday, 8 January 2012

Sydney FC: Only good enough to beat Brisbane? And look how many they lost since then.....

The Coach of Sydney FC is a very nice man...or so we're told over and over but after close to three years in charge the team from the biggest city in Australia flatters to deceive.....no-one.

Season 1: Won the Championship. Fantastic, but they were the most boring team ever to win the A-League under Vitaslav. Maybe the guy over-achieved!

Still we expected this to be built on in Season Two when he could shape his team a little more. A clear out of Clint Bolton and Simon Colosimo to Melbourne to be replaced by Liam Reddy and Scott Jamieson among others.

As the team went from Championship highs to the lowest of lows in one season, maybe one week. No pace, no defence and a poor keeper. The fans disappeared in droves.

And so to season 3.

Back came Karol Kisel, Nicky Carle and Brett Emerton and a blossoming Terry Antonis. And the flair returned intially especially on the break away from home.

Liam Reddy spilled the first against Brisbane in the first real test of the season and Sydney have never really settled again.

The win over Brisbane to end the Roar's great unbeaten run flattered everyone.

The team struggles in defence, not least it's keeper, and in attack it lacks the real pace in the front line or out wide to really test opposing teams, especially at home.

In Terry Antonis, Brett Emerton and Nicky Carle there is enough pace and creativity to surely threaten any team over the 90 - but if your defence concedes, very very soft goals, as it did again against the Central Coast Mariners the team from the biggest city is doomed.

Sydney are a little more consistent this year, a little better at retaining the ball as the midfield quality as player quality improved, but are they paying for Vitalav's forward recruitment policy or lack thereof.

Sydney need an adventurous team - think Man United at home, Celtic at home, Melbourne Victory at home. Pacy, threatening, aggressive and dominant - even if they lose.

If the team reflects the manager - Sydney are slow, thoughtful and ponderous. Too nice.

He's been here three years but good football, exciting football is still to be seen from Sydney FC.

Has Vitaslav ever produced an exciting team?

If he has funds to buy some forwards, perhaps replace Terry McFlynn and of course replace Reddy a strong A-League team could evolve.

But would Vitaslav know a good forward if he saw one?

Harry Kewell lights up A-League

Fantastic game in Melbourne last night. Is it me or does this stadium lend itself to exciting games. Fast, furious and full of entertainment.

Is it the surface, or the proximity of the crowds?

Harry Kewell was superb in Melbourne last night as the Victory defeated the Jets 2-1.

Returning to his left wing position - wonder what Mehmet thought - Kewell simply did what everyone knows he can.

He tormented, crossed and delivered some absolutely stunning passes to release Danny Allsopp and Archie Thompson time and time again.

The Victory played well - were structured and confident.

However despite a strong showing the Jets, with a brazenly young Australia midfield - how good us that - The Jets probably created enough to gain a draw.

Like Sydney, Melbourne simply concede too many goals to make a real challenge this season.

If they can fix their defence they may move forward.

Long-term Brebner or Broxham in midfield have to go.

Last night it was Harry's show and a great game as well.

Friday, 6 January 2012

Happy New Year:Melbourne Victory....watch out Sydney you are next

Is Mehmet worse than Vitaslav?

Arguably they are about the same - although Mem hasn't had a lot of time to work his magic, I'd argue his appointment from Feb should have shown us some better football, better structure than what we've seen.

Should he be sacked?

Who knows but the Board gave him his chance, also Francis Awaritefe....and now they are both gone. Says more about the board than Mem and Francis in my view.

Also clearly going from Youth League to A-League is a big big risk.

Vitaslav is clearly under threat. Mr Nice Guy has almost three years and still Clint Bolton plays for Melbourne Heart - and Liam Reddy for Sydney FC.

Ten goals in three games is ugly. At least Sydney are much improved on last season - they can attack but not through Vitaslav's signings. Scott Jamieson and Shannon Cole have been at best inconsistent - his forwards have been slow and cumbersome - Mark Bridge never scores.

And Liam Reddy must have given at least 9 points away this season on his own. Simply not good enough. Who signed him?

And that leaves the rocks. Michael Beauchamp! Has hardly inpsired.

Terry Antonis, Ryan Grant, Brett Emerton have all done good.

Vitaslav signed none - had them foisted or developed for him.

Sydney could be good - just not under Vitaslav?

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."

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?

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?

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....

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?

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.

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?

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....

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!

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.

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.

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!

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!

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......

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.

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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