Have we already determined this season's A-League pretenders?

Waz- Like Mike Mulvey before him JA inherited a team, that due to advancing age and some important departures, was what one would describe as on a "downward spiral". You, like many other Roar fans, put up with the obvious, trotting out excuse after excuse for the obvious failures to replace important sections of the team and I recall one of the favourites was, at the time,"he is not playing with his players". A "team" has been "lost" since the glory days of 2010 with Theo,Franjic,Smith,Steffanuto,Paartlu, Brattan,Broich,Berisha,Murdocca and Barbarousas all moving to bigger and better things ,or retiring, and today only Mackay and Bowles are still at Roar, even those two trying their luck elsewhere before returning. Now 3 seasons have passed and despite myriad efforts to replace those named (too many to record here) that downward spiral appears to still be in vogue and now the cries are going out,"he should use some of our outstanding youngsters" which in fact is a complete philosophy change for the side. The recent history of HAL team performance show a domination by Sydney FC ,a team meticuously built around class imports and outstanding young locals,usually brought from neighbouring HAL teams. Victory partly use the same method but in recent seasons have been dabbling more and more into procuring local talent from other HAL teams. It could be argued they are not getting the same results as those of their "golden" years. So where to for Roar? Close examination over the last 4 seasons throws up very few high points,but heaps and heaps of "low" points which have been well recorded. The club is at a crossroads do they return to their high places of yesteryear or slip to one of the "also-rans" of our premier professional football comp. Coaches? There are hundreds ,if not thousands of coaches around the football world who could be procured,but if the Roar recruitment performance of recent years is taken as a guide maybe you are right. Cheers jb.

You mean like how you tube is showing the games in Japan and other countries where there are no broadcast agreements? The $100 M, not sre how close we got, but when you add A League, Socceroos, International Broadcast and ACL matches, I wonder what it would be?

Agree, he looked very promising

Your comment has no basis in fact. Similar sized leagues have similar player rotations. That is just part of the football economy world-wide.

Mike we, football community, find a way to crucify ourselves even in the face good news. Yes I undestand there were free tickets given away as part of the sponsorships from a certain burger chain. City isn’t the first or won’t be the last to offer free tickets to a game. The worst aspect of the night wasn’t the free tickets but the dire, insipid performance we turned out when we needed to give people a reason to come back. That’s what is still hurting. Supporters are tearing their hair out. Just go to the fan website.

Players getting loaned out to lower clubs is not really the same thing as players changing clubs every year or two.

“What happens next week?” This is the same guy who predicted a $100M per year broadcast deal, with FTA bidders, and the involvement of YouTube and google. Of course, all of this made whilst ridiculing others who made predictions without bonafide qualifications. Yep.

@Waz What happens with a loss? What was the last outcome in a Wanderers - Roar game? The poor standard of Refereeing in The FFA Cup and the first 2 rounds have lit a fire in Babbel which looks to fired up the red & black squad. Let's see if we get fire in Nudged after Wellington.

I think just from the short run he had on Saturday Sheppard might have some potential.

It begs the question...if the tickets given away are to kids via their football clubs is that not a worthy investment in the future? Ingrain kids with the football experience now and they aspire to be active/loyal supporters in the future. And there's a lot of them.

While my longer comment awaits moderation let me briefly offer you a quiz question; I was at Ar-senal and Watford as a junior. I then had played at Leyton Orient, Millwall, Leicester and Norwich before the age of 21, before finally breaking through at the club I now star for. Who am I? Harry Kane We have no loan system, therefore young players need to move to develop. Ditto the lack of reserves. Playing for multiple clubs is not unique, nor is it a reflection of a poor league

I have no problem, if the players are young and full of potential AG. An overlooked point in the recycling debate is that unlike in England for example, we haven't had a loan system. There young talent is loaned out season after season until they are either ready for first team action or deemed not good enough. Harry Kane had 5 clubs before breaking through at Spurs, Leyton Orient, Millwall, Leicester, Norwich. He also had time at the academies of Arsenal and Watford. 7 pro clubs!! I don't hear this being used against the EPL? Patrick Bamford is 25. After starting at Nottingham Forest he moved to Chelsea. From there he had loans at MK Dons, Derby, Boro, Palace, Norwich, Burnley. From there he's then been bought by both Boro and Leeds! 10 clubs! Playing for 4 A-league clubs is no big deal, nor an indictment on the league (Mister football). Players like Scott Galloway need somewhere where they can develop and get game time. In the absence of loans and a reserve comp that means moving. My only issue is the likes of Clisby, who shouldn't be recycled but rather thrown out. Agree with you, there are a few "cast offs" who need to be put in the red bin, next to the fly blown dog poo, Clisby, Nichols, Nicky Ward was a classic. I'd much rather see the likes of Ryan Kitto be given a second chance, Paulo Retre looks as though moving will get him a breakthrough, or even NPL players like Kane Shepphard who showed more in 15 minutes than Hoffman in 3 games.

Name the players who have 6 or 7 clubs Liam reddy and who else?

yeah, I was being ironic. It’s like it could have been written last year though right

The current owners in severe financial trouble. Not exactly cold feet but it’s going to be problematic as long as trump is around.

Same in other leagues with only a small number of clubs. Players go through phases. They have their junior phase where they typically stay at one club or academy. That’s often followed by a short period at that club before they move on because they can’t break through to the first team and there’s other juniors coming through. Then they enter a nomadic phase where they might have 3-4 different clubs in 5 years. Very common in Switzerland and Scotland as well as Australia If they’re lucky they break through and find some stability in their mid to late 20’s. But again, if they’re good enough they’re in demand so still might pick up another 2-3 clubs. Then they enter the twilight of their career the early to mid-30’s. Unless they’re established in their position they often move around and enter in to a kind of “grey nomad” phase where they drift between clubs. Australia is no different. That’s world football.

But Kangas, I'm not talking about 3 clubs, I'm talking about 6 or 7!! In a league which only has 10 clubs!

Every club can change things around but its unlikely with these coaches. City should be playing Griffiths as a center back, Caceres should be starting, that would be only a start, they have to develop a system, if its with Fornali pr Vidosic up front , maybe they are better off with De Laet up top or as a winger. Mariners first priority dump Hilarej , then McOrmack, bring in Melling and play hard and physical across the pitch. Jets need Vargas off the field at the 35 minute mark. Ridenton is looking at a new level there with workrate. Roar not sure what they can do, they helped Perth by taking Taggart. Bauthec has been super this season and working really hard. Phoenix they got players who are going downhill, haven't watched them yet to see if they have any options.