Seriously, this is like one of the top 10 things I have ever heard in my life.Quote:
Originally Posted by belchardo
Am thinking of getting this translated into Arabic and getting it tattooed on the inside of my forearm.
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Seriously, this is like one of the top 10 things I have ever heard in my life.Quote:
Originally Posted by belchardo
Am thinking of getting this translated into Arabic and getting it tattooed on the inside of my forearm.
why?Quote:
Originally Posted by Thomas477
Work experience kid doing the edit. No doubt it is meant to say "English veterans Michael Bridges unlikely to resign".Quote:
Originally Posted by belchardo
I quite like Zane tbh. I just question his ability to entice players to come to us. He doesn't have an exceptional CV nor experience.
Release Bridges. Keep the three euro bound kids as long as we can. Get Finkler. Re-sign Griff for life.
This. And if FM is anything to go by (and with joel butchering the Jets stats so they are on par with Man Utd (Moyes Era), it isn't ;)), Griff will become an amazing back room staff member when he retires and in about 5 years time, will be managing in the HAL... so we might as well get ahead of the curve and sign him for 20 years right now.Quote:
Originally Posted by pv4
who in the a-league does?Quote:
Originally Posted by pv4
:lulz:Quote:
Originally Posted by Grimario
The Pissant coach, maybe the dude from Heart (even though he probs won't stay). Maybe Popovic (until the bubble invariably bursts). Maybe Mulvey if you're a young player.Quote:
Originally Posted by GazFish35
Yes I'm scraping the very bottom of a very empty barrel.
Is this going to cause problems for the Jets? http://www.theherald.com.au/story/21...assets/?cs=303
Must be a concern to all Jets fans but it does give me the shits how only the Knights get mentioned. Typical of the Herald though.
Probably because the Knights have a $1 buyout and the Jets don't (only the players do - hence why everything is undisclosed).
My point is that he is looking like he has gone under so it's got to be of concern to Jets fans.Quote:
Originally Posted by Grimario
And my point is smarmy comment, no substance. :gent:Quote:
Originally Posted by Zico
van't schip signed for another 3 years yesterday.Quote:
Originally Posted by plague
http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/a-lea...new-Heart-deal
http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/a-lea...r-Abbas-claims
santalab to front the FFA disciplinary committee on Monday.
ta for that.Quote:
Originally Posted by belchardo
Will be interesting to see what he can do with some petro dollars behind him.
I'll take a breath, assume you're cranky about our current position and let that one through to the keeper.Quote:
Originally Posted by Thomas477
It's a good thing we have changed keepers isn't it?Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeterpool
I see what you did there...Quote:
Originally Posted by Skirt Boy
coast love himQuote:
Originally Posted by Thomas477
,Quote:
The mere mention of Josip Simunic's name causes the Australian football fan angst. It's not just because of his three-card performance at the World Cup in 2006 or because of his fascist salute to the crowd last year, but the fact that he turned his back on his country of birth to represent that of his ancestry.
His career is on the cusp of ending unceremoniously after he received a 10-match ban for his pro-Nazi salute, and while some Australians will be quietly satisfied with the curtains drawing closed, they should be aware that a far greater player exodus from our shores is just about to occur.
The names Reno Piscipo, Steven Ugarkovic and Milos Degenek might not mean much to Australian football fans today, but in a matter of years they could become a sore point in discussions surrounding the national team. The trio are three of the country's most talented youngsters who have already made the leap abroad. They're among dozens shining in the best youth systems around the world. They have the potential to shine for the Socceroos, but they will likely never wear the green and gold.
For all the professionalism, infrastructure and talent identification that's now part of the game, the player drain of our best youngsters hasn't been stemmed. It's easy to be disappointed seeing defensive midfielder Ugarkovic playing for Croatia's youth team, but it's harder to believe he never appeared in the National Youth League. According to his agent and youth development coach, Andy Bernal, he was deemed persona non grata by A-League clubs after missing out in the filter system of the state and FFA-sanctioned institutes.
"It's no wonder the kid packs up and goes to Croatia if he's been ignored here," Bernal said. "You want to try and identify the best kids, which is a good thing, but for every 20 you identify there might be another 30 that didn't make that year's institutions and what happens to them? If you don't get picked as part of the national talent identification, you don't get selected for the AIS. The system can crush you, there's no second options."
The young stars of the A-League all have similar resumes, years at state institutes of sport, and the best of the bunch graduate from the AIS. Those who miss out on such pathways face a difficult battle to break through and going abroad can be an easier option.
It's the story of Reno Piscipo, perhaps the best Australian youth product since Harry Kewell. The 15-year-old forward was overlooked by FFA and state institutions but now captains the Under-16 team of Inter Milan. To rub more salt in the wounds of those who overlooked him, he is a regular for Gli Azzurri and seen by the Italians as one of the brightest prospects for their national team. His youth coach, Joe De Martino of Genova ISS, says he was never given a chance within the Australian systems.
"No, and this is probably the most disturbing part - boys who come to us at the age of 14 or 15, they've either trialled with the state or in the NTC [National Training Centre], they put themselves on to the radar to be selected and they, for whatever reason, were overlooked," De Martino said.
Blake Ricciuto is one of the many who have looked overseas after failing to break into the youth teams in the A-League. Now at Uruguay giants Penarol, the 21-year-old from Botany in Sydney concedes that if the opportunity to play for the country of his father's birth was to arise, it would be difficult to say no after the chance he was given in Montevideo.
"It's a very tough question. Uruguay, I'd love to play for their national team because the passion is so big here. Also Uruguay and Penarol are giving me a chance to become a professional footballer and I never got looked at to play in the A-League," Ricciuto said. "That said, if the green and gold comes knocking on my door, I could never turn them down."
There's a similar theme across the globe as those who missed out on selection into state programs of the FFA's NTC as teenagers chased their dream abroad. Australian-born Brad Smith at Liverpool has already represented England but didn't progress through the institutes, likewise Ajdin Hrustic at Schalke, who is playing for Bosnia, or Dinamo Zagreb-owned Roko Strika who's inching towards selection for Croatia.
River Plate youth player Gavin De Niese has had no communication from the FFA apart from seeking an international transfer clearance two years ago to finalise his move to the Argentinian powerhouse.
In a matter of weeks he will begin playing in formal youth tournaments once his application for residency is approved. Shortly after, his Irish passport will arrive and it may not be long before the Socceroos find themselves in a three-way tug-of-war for the talented midfielder.
His eyes are focused on playing for Australia but there's no hiding his feeling that his blossoming career has been overlooked by those back home.
"I went overseas to get benefits from the style of other countries and I've been here for so long and I've gotten used to it. But in a way, yeah I do feel that I have been ignored because obviously I'd love to play for Australia," De Niese said.
The FFA's national curriculum has been praised by those in youth development, as has the establishment of the national trianing centres run by member states, but those pathways are not the only route to the top. Players at such a tender age blossom at various ages and many require second chances. If they aren't provided, Simunic could be remembered as a trailblazer.
"You'll never stop the drain of kids wanting to play in Europe but certainly in the A-League, the scouting networks are poor," Bernal said. "A-League clubs are reluctant to look at anyone that is not within an NSWIS, VIS or AIS type of system. If you're not in a system early, then it's a kind of pot-luck [Tom] Rogic-style to have a couple of people who have faith in you."
UCL draw live now........here we go here we go....PSG: we want Man U.....
Barca - Atletico
Real - Dortmund
Sounds about right. As our players increase, the coaching and ability to see talent needs to improve as well.
PSG - Chelsea....... Yeeeeeess happy with that
Hey lquiquer, wrong thread?
Man U - Bayern Hahahaha good luck Moyes....
man u too easy
and this should be in the ucl thread
don't get technical it's Friday night m8....few beers, few reds and all threads look the same!!!! :hijack::redcard:Quote:
Originally Posted by Thomas477
Rofl, alright. Just didn't want the last article to get lost in the thread, it's an important one IMO.Quote:
Originally Posted by lquiquer
^ Agree.... + see previous post in same thread by MFKSQuote:
Originally Posted by Thomas477
This is just pure comedy gold. Always thought this bloke was a bit crazy am certain now
NFI :wacko::what::roflz:
Quote:
Congratulations Brisbane Roar, who claimed their second minor premiership on the weekend, duly recognised when David Gallop handed over the Premiers Plate against an orange and black backdrop at Suncorp Stadium.
Over 24 rounds Brisbane have been the best team by some distance, and deserve all the plaudits which have come their way.
But they’re not yet champions – that will have to wait until grand final day. And if there’s one team the Roar will be hoping to avoid when the title is decided, it has to be Newcastle Jets, who with three home-and-away rounds to go aren’t yet sure they’ll even be playing in the finals.
But if the Jets do get their wings through the door, then Brisbane have every reason to be nervous. Newcastle have won all three encounters between the two teams this season, including two at Suncorp.
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In fact the Jets have lost just twice in 13 trips to Brisbane over the years. They’re the Roar’s bogey team, with a capital B. And in a competition which remains a tipster’s nightmare, who’d be brave enough to dismiss the chances of Newcastle making the grand final, unlikely as it may seem?
The Jets, certainly, made a statement with their biggest-ever win against Wellington Phoenix at the weekend. With just one point separating the two teams at kick-off, the pressure was on – not least because of Newcastle’s woeful home form. But the Jets took off, literally, and when substitute Michael Bridges produced a candidate for goal of the season with the final kick of the game, Newcastle had edged above Sydney FC on goal difference, and into the top six. With two of their last three games at Hunter Stadium, the door to the play-offs is now wide open.
So what’s changed? The coach, most noticeably. Gary van Egmond micro-managed his squad; Clayton Zane is more concerned with the big picture. Pick a team, simplify the game plan, and stick tight.
Zane has always been a phlegmatic character, and becoming a head coach in the A-League a few years ahead of schedule hasn’t fazed him one bit.
Looking across to the technical area and seeing a coach who is so relaxed has calmed down a group of players who have so often looked, and played, like they’re weighed down by expectation.
Newcastle don’t have the best talent in the competition, but they do have decent quality in key areas. Zane has recognised what is his greatest asset – big-game experience – and selected his team accordingly. Old is one way of looking at the starting XI against the Phoenix. Mature is another. That three of those veterans – Joel Griffiths, Bridges and Emile Heskey – were among the goal scorers suggests the big names are ready to produce big performances. Newcastle’s campaign will live or die by their contribution.
What’s particularly instructive is that Zane has ditched all pretence of curriculum football and is instead playing to the strengths of the players he has at his disposal. Van Egmond – an avowed disciple of the FFA’s new curriculum – tinkered endlessly with his selections trying to create a shape, and style, which never really suited the available talent.
Zane has been far more pragmatic, which will displease the evangelists, but so what? Vive la difference and all that.
Thus the long ball is back in fashion, and by withdrawing Heskey to a deeper role, his flick-ons are now finding teammates instead of the byline. Griffiths, Adam Taggart and even David Carney are starting to feed off the big man, who wins virtually everything in the air. In the middle of the pitch, Ruben Zadkovich and Zenon Caravella have less need to over-elaborate and the latter, in particular, has been a man reborn. At the back, Kew Jaliens and Josh Mitchell are keeping things tough and tight, while on the right of defence Josh Brillante is evolving into a promising fullback/wingback in what remains a problem position for the Socceroos. Indeed both Brillante and Taggart may yet sneak onto the plane for Brazil.
There are no guarantees, of course, that the Jets will overcome their greatest weakness – their inconsistency – and maintain their late charge into the finals. They are just as likely to fall in a heap. The Roar, you’d imagine, will be hoping they do just that.
Yet if Newcastle do squeeze into the play-offs, you sense they’ll be more than nuisance value. They’ve already beaten Western Sydney Wanderers, Adelaide United and Melbourne Victory as well as Brisbane, so the finals shouldn’t overawe them. More likely they’ll inspire a group of players who are unlikely to play together after this season to produce once last hurrah. Where that ends is anyone’s guess, but it will be fun hanging on for the ride.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/r...#ixzz2wsOOy8YW
I see what he is doing, bigging us up for once in his journalistic life, putting the monkey on us, making us lose our last 3 games and dropping out of the finals, so Slater and him can fap over Shitney and their customary first round of the finals lossQuote:
Originally Posted by MFKS
All it's going to do is start the oh so boring debate about finals v first past the post… EVERY ****ING SEASON!
Bigging us up?Quote:
Originally Posted by Buddha
The whole piece is full of back handed compliments.
What's the go with Cockerill writing for smh again? Wasn't he laid off a while back and moved on to write for the FFA?
I really enjoyed that article. Pretty much how I've seen Zane since coming in. Also, this paragraph really spoke home to me (and I assume broke militia's heart)
Quote:
What’s particularly instructive is that Zane has ditched all pretence of curriculum football and is instead playing to the strengths of the players he has at his disposal. Van Egmond – an avowed disciple of the FFA’s new curriculum – tinkered endlessly with his selections trying to create a shape, and style, which never really suited the available talent.
Probably the biggest difference in our side under GVE and Zane is actually the experience levels in our side. Adding Griff and Carney has not only given us 2 quality players but also bumped up the level of experience in the squad dramatically. Add this to the restoration of Roundabout and Mitchell to the starting XI and we have gone from having one of the youngest least experienced sides in the comp to having one of the oldest most experienced squads almost overnight.Quote:
Originally Posted by pv4
DISCLAIMER - The continual selection of Gallaway and the reasons why are a mystery though.
Matter of fact most of the younger blokes that are involved are actually there cause they are doing the business ie Taggz and Beard and not in the side on potential as GVE had them far too frequently.
No point counting chickens yet that we have turned some corner cause if Zane gets the gig fulltime what direction he goes in is still a mystery. All he has done is remedy a few issues with short term fixes so far
No longer works for the FFA.Quote:
Originally Posted by militiamon
Doing freelance work for both News LTD, and Fairfax.