:lulzturtle:Quote:
Originally Posted by militiamon
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:lulzturtle:Quote:
Originally Posted by militiamon
:roflz:Quote:
Originally Posted by militiamon
We have a winner
Hopefully the bloke is phased about playing for us nowQuote:
IT was a cup of coffee Mark Birighitti will cherish forever.
The advice the Jets goalkeeper received from Juventus shot-stopper Gigi Buffon will be equally treasured.
Birighitti spent 40 minutes with his idol at the Italian team’s Sydney hotel on Monday.
The previous night, the 23-year-old had played the final 20 minutes for the A-League All Stars in a credible 3-2 loss to the Serie-A champions.
After exchanging shirts with Buffon and Andrea Pirlo post-game, Birighitti’s All Stars teammate and Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero arranged a get-together for the keepers.
‘‘It was amazing to spend time with Buffon,’’ Birighitti said.
‘‘We had a coffee and he told me about his experiences and gave me some advice, which was amazing.
‘‘He said, ‘No matter where you play, no matter what the game is, if you have things on your mind, if there is stuff happening overseas, always focus on the present moment. Focus on the job at hand and don’t get too far ahead of yourself’.
‘‘He knew I was at the Newcastle Jets and had the experience of going to the World Cup and was close to signing in Germany.
‘‘He said, ‘Now you are at Newcastle, you focus on Newcastle. That is your team and make sure you perform week-in, week-out for them. Europe will always be there. If you perform well at your club, you will get opportunities to go overseas. If you don’t perform at your club, it is a different story’.
‘‘We spoke about a range of things but that was the thing that stuck with me.
‘‘Getting advice off him – he has played at the highest level, is a world champion and has done everything in world football.
‘‘To hear that from his mouth was music to my ears.’’
Birighitti returns to the Jets and the reality of a preseason training today.
Ben Kennedy finished last season as the Jets’ first-choice gloveman and has been in-goal for the opening three trials.
‘‘I can’t wait to get back now and knuckle down to training,’’ Birighitti said.
‘‘I have had an amazing few months – going to the World Cup and then getting into the All Star team.
‘‘It is only going to make me hungrier for the season to start.
‘‘BK is a good goalkeeper.
‘‘It is up to me now. I just want to focus on my own game and make sure I perform day-in day-out at training.
‘‘As Buffon said, I have to focus on the present and not get too far ahead of myself.’’
Against Juventus, the score was locked at 1-1 when Birighitti replaced Eugene Galekovic.
Western Sydney striker Tomi Juric regained the lead for the All Stars with a thumping shot but late goals to Paul Pogba and Simone Pepe sealed the win for the Italians.
Both strikes were sublime and gave Birighitti little hope of saving them.
‘‘Their accuracy rate is so high,’’ Birighitti said.
‘‘When world-class players get an opportunity, they execute them. You give them a little sniff and they take it. You make a mistake and they punish.
‘‘In saying that, we gave it a real good crack.
‘‘We kept the ball well. That was one thing [coach] Josep Gombau was big on.
‘‘He wanted us to try and play football, play with freedom and enjoy the experience.’’
What a fantastic opportunity for Birrighiti. I'm very jealous.
I expect to see him return with increased drive to succeed her for Newcastle. It was his hard work that got him the Leverkusen link in the first place, but it's almost back to square one. He needs to prove himself again and I reckon Stubbins will give him that opportunity.
Why does he need Buffon to tell him to focus on his current job? Isn't it obvious?
How many players make it over to Europe by daydreaming through training and games here. Unless you're Leo messi quality - and even those guys still work hard - it's a ****ing no brainer isn't it?
How dare he gain advice from one of the greatest players in his position to have ever played the game.
BK in, Biraz phased out
I think his head got turned. The chat with Buffon might have the impact of refocussing him. It's what some people need, Gaz. We all work in different ways.Quote:
Originally Posted by GazFish35
Am concerned Buffon didn't address the whole 'dive/don't dive' debate.
Birraz what a legend. Glad to have him here still. Bloke made an error tried to act cool about it, didn't turn out good for him. But he's only young and helps blokes seal the deal with chicks.
ftfyQuote:
Originally Posted by Jeterpool
i have no probs with biz just dont gift the yellow river ever again.
BK number one last match - Birraz got to get back in the team first.
It will be interesting to see what Stubbins does.
BK was the number 1 at the end of last season but with a new coach, Birraz going with the WC squad and the All-Stars game there is an argument for him to start.
As long as Birraz's head is hear, and not OS like it was towards the end of last season, I am happy with either keeper.
BK is ahead at the moment simply because he's been here. Birraz will get a go in North Queensland. Happy with either too. May the best keeper playQuote:
Originally Posted by sammydog
If you were BK and reading these daily commentaries about how Birraz is going to get the No 1 back it would fire you right up I imagine. And Birraz will champing at the bit after the WC and Bayer move falling over. We are going to have two very good keepers this year pushing each other.
On their day Birraz is the better keeper IMO, but haven't seen his best form in a while. Spot should be BK's unless Birraz can produce miracles in the remaining pre-season.
Biraz just got called up to the national team, and was second-choice keeper in the HAL allstars behind another Socceroo. Anyone who thinks BK deserves the number 1 position ahead of him I have no hope for, honestly.
Spot should go to the bloke who works hardest and earns it over the pre season.Quote:
Originally Posted by borat
What happened last year is irrelevant
Just like every other spot in the squad. The blokes who knuckle down and do the job in pre season deserve the spot in round 1 regardless of who they are
Actually the best goalkeeper should be in goals. If both are fit, best player starts. I couldn't give a shit if a player missed all of preseason, if they are better then someone else they should start. That's like saying if griff missed pre season he shouldn't start. Geeze mate first u get a hard on for Alex wilkinson now u don't think griff should start should he get injured before the season. BK is a massive legend. But birraz is the better keeper so should start. So what birraz should get punished for being selected as one of the best keepers in the league and played against juventus. You would rather a guy that's played against Weston and Perth. One of those teams you yourself said weren't worthy of a trial.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MFKS
I agree. New season, new coach, earn your spot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuedZ1Y_dU4Quote:
Originally Posted by la bazzle
Earn your spot? **** that, be the best at your spot. That should be enough to earn it, whether you spend pre-season pumping iron, pumping the ladies (griff, obv) or pumping fists with Buffon. Had it with this "oh, but Joe Shitplayer spent the season doing lots of work so deserves his spot of Joel Mega****ingawesomeplayer who didn't work as hard".Quote:
Originally Posted by sammydog
**** hard work. Actual ability >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> hard work.
can they just play a half each?:pissup:
Except that without hard work, there is no 'ability'.Quote:
Originally Posted by Grimario
As if Griff gets injured. :blush:Quote:
Originally Posted by la bazzle
The bloke is superhuman. Bloke will play for Newy even with a broken leg
Your argument is just plain flawed using Griff as an example
I can't believe the MFAW doesn't want Griff to play smh
No shit but the argument here is "the guy that works his arse off (despite being inferior) should get the starting spot because he worked hard". That's such a bullshit argument. I could work my arse off and put more effort in than anyone in the history of professional sport and it would still count for nothing.Quote:
Originally Posted by plague
I just want guys who are going to win us games, hey.
And even though BK may do more squat thrusts than Biraz, outside of Newcastle it is accepted by the likes of Ange, Gombau, the general public, etc that Biraz is the man for us.
I think earning a spot isn't just working hard, thats taking a too simplistic view of how you get to the top. It does include that but you also have to look at who's performing now and in form at this point in time. Not who was starting at the end of last season, not who travelled to the world cup a few months back, and not just who is working the hardest in the off season.Quote:
Originally Posted by Grimario
**** around in the preseason and show no form (and as a result ability) at training and preseason matches, then how could you expect to start. That said, the mentality of anyone who wants to be the best at their spot and make it theirs, won't be taking a holiday during the preseason. They will be stating a case for them to have the spot.
I've got no doubt both BK and Birraz are pushing each other at training, which bodes well for us.
Loves his mate "Wilko" and hates that griff was brought into the team last year without participating in preseason. How the mighty have fallen.Quote:
Originally Posted by pv4
Nah, I reackon most on 'ere just want whoevers better when week 1 of the season comes round.Quote:
Originally Posted by Grimario
My point about hard work was that I don't believe in natural ability.
Whoever is the most in form keeper should get the job. Whether through hard work, prayer or PED's I don't care.
(I just don't like the BK hate from some on here).
Side note: do you think one of our keepers is 'inferior' to the other?
Don't know what happened in Sth America but showing non stop love for the Gypo Wilkinson then demanding Griff be benched is the act of a sick sick man.Quote:
Originally Posted by pv4
Yeah, BK is vastly inferior.Quote:
Originally Posted by plague
Hmmmm interesting. So would you say that at the time of getting dropped last year, Biraz was still a better keeper than BK?Quote:
Originally Posted by Grimario
flip to see who starts then, whoever keeps a clean sheet stays in next week, if not, swap.
Yes.Quote:
Originally Posted by plague
You are now confusing a far superior keeper being in shit form with a shit keeper having some good games. The whole class permanent, form temporary thing.
Except that is your opinion (which I respect) and not a fact (which can probably never really be measured).Quote:
Originally Posted by Grimario
In my opinion there's not much of a gap between them and whoever is in form should get the job week 1.
Let's face it, the only person who is factually correct 100% of the time* is the Member.
* stats supplied by MFKS.
Your opinion holds less weight than the guy picking the Australian squad, to be fair...
:gent:
Buffon must be a proctologist because his advice to Birra was pull you head out of your a**e and work hard. Maybe the only thing he could see last year was his colon and that is why he didn't dive.
This is a legitimate question to the guys arguing for BK to be our number 1, or ever have:
Do you think that BK would be the next choice GK for Ange's Roos, if one or more of Ryan, Langerak, Eugene & Biraz were unavailable?
Who? The same bloke that picked Alex Wilkinson?Quote:
Originally Posted by Grimario
OK.
By that rationale you're saying in 2006 Stu Musalik was our best player and likewise Kristin Sarkies for the Victory.
You surely don't think that do you?
If he works really, REALLY hard and doesn't **** around in pre-season, absolutely.Quote:
Originally Posted by pv4