Expert
Joined October 2013
171k
Views
120
Published
27
Comments
Published
Comments
In a week where we've timidly celebrated the anniversary of the 31-0 world record demolition of American Samoa, the Socceroos' draw for the third…
As the Socceroos walked off the pitch last night, having topped Group B to reach the third round of World Cup qualifying, the 2-0…
Skipper Mile Jedinak insists the word 'complacency' is taboo in the Socceroos camp, but they'll be forgiven for taking plenty of confidence into tomorrow's…
The facts behind Leicester City’s season have been drummed into public consciousness relentlessly - and for due reason. They were bottom of the Premier…
Often, the FFA's strategic announcements are greeted with trepidation by fans and media alike. Many of us have a grand vision of where we…
Arsene Wenger has been here before - a few unfavourable results, a wave of scrutiny on his position. He was here in early 2011,…
Sydney FC's Asian Champions League history book is only two chapters young, but it should be mandatory reading for the current crop as they…
A year ago, Tim Cahill benefitted from Shaghai Shenhua's ambition, signing a contract mooted to be worth close to $10 million a year. On…
In Michael Calvin's brilliant book Life on the Volcano, Stoke City manager Mark Hughes recalls his final days as Manchester City boss. It was…
Even after Jurgen Klopp turned his nose up at Shakhtar Donetsk's rumoured £53 million asking price for Alex Teixeira, the most striking figure on…
In his pre-match monologue, Simon Hill described the Big Blue as the A-League's Manchester United versus Liverpool. He wasn't wrong. The match had all…
The highlights video of Brad Smith's Liverpool debut isn't a pretty watch. It was December 29, 2013. Three days earlier, the then-19-year-old Aussie made…
Welcome to January, the month any player with a semblance of European pedigree now struggling for game time in the latter stage of their…
Just as quickly as he entered the international stage, Tom Rogic was exposed to the fickle nature of football. Everything had been going so…
Rather than a sign of innocence, Sepp Blatter's determination to fight his eight-year ban is typical of the ignorance and selfishness that crippled FIFA…
Regardless of the result, Chelsea's trip to Leicester on Monday always promised to be a turning point. Most neutrals who have developed an affection…
Each time Bailey Wright arrives at Preston North End's Deepdale Stadium, he's greeted by one of football's most recognisable statues. Based on a famous photograph…
Here we are again, another impasse in Australian football. What began as one journalist thrusting her unsubtle agenda on the game has united fans…
For all the talk at the Central Coast Mariners about wooing fans back with their own variation of joga bonito, it feels they've slightly…
When Mile Jedinak's free-kick rippled the net 60 seconds into June's World Cup qualifier against Kyrgyzstan in Bishkek, the Socceroos looked in for a…
He hasn’t had a brilliant full season, though. 2013/14 he was superb for about half of it. The season before he was getting there and last season was quite tame (albeit with the constant shuffling from Rodgers). It’ll be water under the bridge in a year or two, but would have been nice to see how he could have evolved with a couple more seasons at Anfield. Of course, very easy to make judgements on a 20-year-old making such a big move. Can’t be an easy ride.
Liverpool must capitalise on Sterling exit
Did mention that final line, mate. Liverpool simply don’t have the holding power of old. Think fans are most frustrated by his behaviour and the fact he didn’t really reach his potential more than the fact he’s leaving.
Liverpool must capitalise on Sterling exit
No idea, remember Tim Cahill was always told he was too small as a kid… Glad Emilio has been given his chance to prove them wrong.
Aussie teen makes the cut at Nike Academy
He’s a small kid compared to most his age, something you hear a lot of. Apparently most of the time it was his size that kept him on the bench. Still seems strange considering he was competing against 19/20-year-olds at the Nike trials, so strength clearly isn’t a problem.
Aussie teen makes the cut at Nike Academy
I believe it will, eventually. It’ll take a while admittedly. But as we move closer to having a second tier comp over the next decade or two (however long it takes), the quality of NPL will increase.
FFA Cup: Romance dies as Bentleigh finally bow out
There have been a few suggestions that the seeding element of the Cup draw be removed next season. I think we’ve seen the gulf in class between HAL clubs and others, which will be bridged in time. For now, though, I’m happy to see the draw keep the same format, at least for another year or two. It may not be giving NPL clubs the credit they deserve but having Bentleigh there made things much more exciting than if four HAL teams were in the semis. Thoughts?
FFA Cup: Romance dies as Bentleigh finally bow out
Good argument, JB. Note that the link to Sydney was merely discussing the relationship between harmony and results, it didn’t form the basis of my piece. Agree, though, that Roar have the choice to slump into a new cycle or turn things around quickly and avoid requiring regeneration.
Club culture at the heart of Brisbane Roar's horror start
When I grow up, I want to be a Dom. Welcome to the legion, another great read.
One night in Edensor: Sydney United vs Sydney FC
Got a name mate? Not a bad story to tell, haven’t heard anything about it until now.
Sydney FC take the first step in improving A-League pathways
Spot on Mid, good explanation. I only briefly touched on Mariners but have been speaking to quite a few people about it in recent weeks, am hoping to put the shambles into a story when it’s settled.
To add onto this, Central Coast Football applied for a 2015 NPL licence a couple of months ago which started the drama. Mariners entered their registration for a new licence next year beyond the deadline so that leans in CCF’s favour. An utter waste of money spent in court that could have been used to do so much more for juniors.
Sydney FC take the first step in improving A-League pathways
Thanks Mid. Completely agree and that was a concern I raised with Alex Tobin.
Grassroots coaching was a major part of the review process. It’s impossible to set minimum standards too high because there simply aren’t enough coaches out there and most teams have to rely on a parent.
What it aimed to do was essentially plan training sessions to make it easy for Joe Blow to train his park team along the lines of the curriculum.
It’ll take a lot of work but I think they’re starting with improving coaching at SAP/NPL and then work down to grassroots. Until then, they’re relying on coaches replicating the NC and hoping that prepares kids well enough.
One year on, what do we make of the FFA curriculum?
Seems daft to discuss such a major hypothetical, but Allianz would be a much more viable option if Wanderers did make the final. A packed Allianz is better than a half-packed ANZ. Sure, it’s out of Western Sydney’s jurisdiction, but the legs of the final are on a Saturday night so it would be much easier for fans to get out to Moore Park than if it were a weekday.
Is Parramatta where the Wanderers belong?
I feel like Ange already has the core of his Asian Cup squad in mind. After all, his tenure thus far has been about working towards the Cup and bedding in players he expects to call on (Juric, Luongo, Wright etc.). There isn’t time for experimentation before then, I think Ange will keep the faith with the defenders he’s used over the last few months.
If we’ve got the same squad for the next two friendlies, that will at least help steady the ship before the Asian Cup. In regards to Sainsbury, he was quite poor but game time has been at a premium since his injury so I’m sure he will only get better from here.
Postecoglou's way: Substance over style for Socceroos
You’re excused this once. But if this doesn’t eventuate, you cop the blame 😉
Youth football needs nurturing
Not entirely sure, we all thought the sponsorship of Foxtel would’ve meant the league would find its way onto our screens but that didn’t amount to anything. Fingers crossed something can be sorted, the profile needs to be listed.
Youth football needs nurturing
Always on the ball AZ 😉 Meant to make the point that they wouldn’t be able to have BOTH Villa and Lampard (if Lampard were to join NYC) because even if one were int. marquee, the other wouldn’t fit under the cap. I horrifically murdered that sentence.
A-League salary cap still a work in progress
Thanks for the feedback. Agree it definitely wasn’t one of Mile’s best games. He and Milligan along with the defence were completely put to the sword and will take the blame for the goals. After the first 20 minutes, though, I don’t think Jedinak did too much wrong. That’s what I meant about him being clinical (i.e. getting the job done). His distribution for Palace all season was a particular highlight and that’s what we need from him for the remaining too games. Sure he’ll pick up his game. He is our captain, after all, I don’t think one poor game warrants criticism of his overall ability.
Socceroos make me proud to be Australian
City still have their international marquee slot open so that paves the way to recruit a more sustainable player in terms of marketing. I’m sure Villa is just the start of their plans and he won’t be their only plan for next season.
The death of the Euro snob: What Villa means to the A-League
Huge fan of Japan, they nailed it in 2002 with South Korea and they’ve definitely the infrastructure/personnel to host 2022, especially two years on from the Olympics. Obvious bias has me delusionally hoping we get the nod, though. Regardless, Australia, South Korea, Japan and the US are all great candidates… if only!
Football the key to disarming Qatar’s most dangerous weapons
Hi Nick,
England won’t be eligible to host the 2022 World Cup. I believe FIFA regulations stipulate a country cannot bid for hosting rights if the WC was held on the same continent in either of the two previous tournaments, hence why there were no bids from South America or Europe for 2022.
Football the key to disarming Qatar’s most dangerous weapons
Agree, not the fault of fans in cities other than Sydney, though. Their respective governments need to stand up for them. As inconvenient as it would be for me, being from Sydney, I’d feel the same if the shoe was on the other foot.
Stuttered Socceroos means more head-scratching for Aussies
According to FIFA docs, a final squad of 23 must be handed to FIFA by June 2. The remaining four players will stay with the squad, but can only be used to replace a “seriously injured” player up to 24 hours before the first group match. So if no one gets injured before then, the four players will simply be spectators, unless FFA decides to send them home.
Stuttered Socceroos means more head-scratching for Aussies
Latest: Cisak has been selected for his first Socceroos camp. Full squad- http://www.socceroos.com.au/article/stars-recalled-for-socceroos-world-cup-qualifier-in-perth/eqke5yfzoxhd19p88havlsokq
Alex Cisak finds his home at Orient