As much as I don’t want to spoil the harmonic atmosphere surrounding the opening round of the A-League, so called ‘experts’ and ‘fans’ need to pull their head in if they really believe what was dished up was satisfactory.
I can understand why many ‘fans’ and ‘experts’ prefer to cover up what was a purely awful display of football from many of these so called professionals considering it would be embarrassing for the code to admit the standard didn’t live up all the pre-season expectation.
This opening round certainly didn’t live up to my expectations, and yes I know each game drew a crowd of over 10,000 and that’s fantastic, but sustaining those numbers is not going to be easy if the technical skills on display do not improve. How many times does this simple message need to be said?
Am I watching the same game as some ‘experts’ who applauded the Central Coast Mariners for the way they pressed their opponents?
Who are they kidding? The heavy touches on display were unbearable at times. Over and over again the same old bloody mistakes, and please don’t blame the weather.
Yes, pressing is your opponent is important but I know what the fans pay there hard earned to watch and it isn’t a game where first touches from players roll 2 metres wide.
I thought we were trying to improve the technical side of our game and from what I’ve seen over the years only two coaches have honestly tried to not only display a type of football that would be regarded quite highly overseas but more importantly help provide a foundation for other coaches to follow on.
The amount of turnovers, yes it’s a basketball term, which was on display throughout this opening round was just a disgrace. I counted about 8 in under a minute in one of the games. What exactly are these players doing during training?
Possession of the ball is such a crucial element of a good football team and all I continue to watch is fundamental key errors made time and time again.
There are some great young players in this league, whom I honestly believe can go on to bigger and brighter things and this makes it at times enjoyable to watch but that alone isn’t going to help a league that is craving an identity after eight seasons.
Can we really expect 14,868 Newcastle Jets fans to go back to Hunter Stadium to watch their team play again? It was one of the most awful displays from a team I have ever seen in this league. Countless long balls, which would have made Emile Heskey think he had signed for the AFL, were more favoured for a marking contest than a chest volley.
God forbid those people watching this weekend’s Sydney-Newcastle game in Italy. I am expecting an increase in paracetamol sales after the game if Stoke Mark Two continue to show the same flare they showed last week.
I want the A-League to succeed in Australia, but it is becoming something I gravely expected. It is now full of many players who are average at best that don’t have the skill to sustain fan momentum for 27 rounds. Only time will tell if this is a matter to be concerned about.
AVictory
Guest
Are you going to base Manchester United's football over the last 20+ years entirely on what happened with Basel? Are you really that one eyed? I was referring to the previous years where they came up against Chelsea, Schalke, Bayern Munich etc. Yes, SAF and his team play good football. I've got to ask, are you a teenager? Because that's how you are acting. It would be less embarrassing for you if you were a teenager because at least you have an excuse.
Villa_B
Roar Guru
haha. Your embarrassing yourself. Man U don't play pretty. They are not impressive in the UCL. It's unbelievable your criticizing my knowledge with such a ludicrous statement. Why oh Why. Every comment you have made is nonsense. All you do is attack me and their is no substance. Weak as it comes. haha. SAF plays the right way. haha. if your not a manchester united fan that will do me. Every football fan will laugh at your comment.
AVictory
Guest
No, I'm criticizing your lack of knowledge. Yes, SAF plays the right way. He has a lower quality squad compared to previous years and still continues to play football. Manchester City and Chelsea have the biggest budgets, are the best teams in England and park the bus. I don't watch that much of English football anymore, but from what I've seen of Manchester United in the UCL, they've been very impressive in previous years, SAF has been there forever and has been very successful, and it hasn't been through cautious dire football.
Villa_B
Roar Guru
What are you a teacher with all these questions? Describe why you are such a pain up my ass?
c
Guest
i luv fuss :)
AVictory
Guest
Describe why you liked the build up play for me.
Villa_B
Roar Guru
I hope.
Villa_B
Roar Guru
Alex Ferguson? Plays the right way? Your having a laugh. to think you criticize my knowledge.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Interesting tweet I read today saying that with the amount of pressing that is being/going to be employed this season, the turnover stat is going to be higher. Then foz indicates such an environment will only increase the technical standard, as well as coaches looking for more technical players to play effectively in that environment. Ergo technical standards will improve :-)
Villa_B
Roar Guru
So I have no footballing knowledge but AVICTORY would prefer to watch the Melbourne Victory vs the Wellington Phoenix over a Manchester derby. I have no idea than.
Villa_B
Roar Guru
Why do you compare the A-League to the EPL. Who made those comparisons. Jesus people are touchy. The Competition is also not a few years old. This is it's eighth season. We differ in opinion it's simple but you don't need to get so touchy.
Villa_B
Roar Guru
I never said Stoke City is a higher standard. Please, your a muppet making things up. Somebody wrote Stoke would get smashed by a lower league bundesliga club. I said this would not happen. My lack of footballing knowledge? This is my opinion. You have your own. Suck it up if you don't like it.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Thanks for posting that Titus.
Griffo
Roar Guru
I was surprised when Heskey was signed - all previous indicators were leading to a young Brazilian striker - so his hold 'em up and bring team into play just didn't sound like what was being worked on at the Jets for most of the long off-season. Young, fast, technical striker was expected at Williamtown Airport. So after arriving 10 days prior and not having played for a while, reputation and butt-of-jokes aside, after barely a handful of training sessions and having 'a former EPL star in your lineup' I was not totally surprised that his play with the team, and by the team, and his in general was off. I was surprised and disappointed with the first half lobs to his chest amongst other things. Training together and game time should improve things. What's going to be the pass mark though? My news summaries of Jobe Wheelhouse today saying the team has got to change style to fit in with Heskey has me slightly worried. Which leads me to wonder how much say van Egmond had in the signing...and what might happen to Wheelhouse if he keeps commenting on tactical preferences. Overall though, being Round 1 preceded by a long pre-season, some teams disappointing, some did better than expected, one debuted, but in general I was glad for some football. I expect it will settle in a improve more over the coming rounds. Del Piero indicated that he's going to off a comment on the A-League after 10-15 games - I expect he meant playing over 10 - 15 rounds.
jamesb
Guest
Villa B you did raise some good points about the standard in the first week such as the amount of turnovers the teams made.. Than again, it is the first week of the A-league after a 6 month lay off. We've seen it with Adelaide how battle hardened they were against the jets thanks to their ACL involvement. Villa B give the other clubs some time. They'll eventually come around. I hope.
fadida
Guest
Tough Mr Moderator. Expecting to see all abusive posts removed :)
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
@ langou One of the best comments I've read on The Roar. I'm going to save it in my archives.
mahonjt
Guest
Quality comment...
mahonjt
Guest
I am a football fan of 41 years and have never - I repeat never - missed a home MVFC game - ever (was I clear?). Let me assure you, the quality of football is incomparable to that dished up in Version 1. What is particularly impressive to me is the increased possession, the pressing, technical quality of the average player and increasingly the average game, the quality set pieces and the midfield rotation clearly present in all teams. Areas that continue to let the league down are the quality of crossing and finishing - a problem in leagues all over the world. It will come, but the trend is crystal clear no matter what the haters say. And to think this bile was so quick of the presses after one round. I should only be surprised that I was surprised I guess....
mahonjt
Guest
Bingo!