'Worst performance since I've been at the club': Roar concede EIGHT in embarrassing loss to City

Waiting for a call. To say what exactly? Why should they call grass “routes” people as you say. I go to the game to enjoy what’s on the pitch. I get a good seat and I’m surrounded by my friends who also enjoy watching and supporting. You sound entitled and I’m guessing even a hundred phone calls to you won’t make you go to the game. Best you enjoy your other sports. Did they give you a call?

I suspect it’s a similar reason to why the Men’s competition doesn’t. In the case of Roar I think they totally missed the possible consequences and as such, like the rest of the club, the Women’s program was underinvested in - to the point where the women’s team are currently in the worst run ever The FA and the APL lack the business smarts of the AFL and NRL and although theres evidence growth is occurring, it’s not like we are locking people out of grounds … even the small stadiums.

That’s a fair comment. The FFA and now the APL take grassroots football for granted and treat it with a level of expectation that they have not yet earned.

Sorry Waz but could not read past this one. Can you give me your thoughts on why the 'thousands' of you girls 'inspired' by the WWC are not turning up at roar w-league games?

I'm still waiting for the call to be made to the thousands of grass route players I constantly hear about on these pages who will save the Roar via their support. Most know nothing about the politics discribed in discussions such as this one so the Roars actions can't be used in defence of a no show. We like to talk about the truth in these pages yet few grasp the fact that many or most club players do not consider the a-league as their choice for professional sport to follow.

Did Ross just need a job untill something better came along?? Seems history would have given him answers when offered the job, and as you mention he knew what he was getting into.

Why are expectations being made by coaches and fans of a-league clubs when they simply do not have the money. It is also worth noting that the expections are what we would think are expected for a professional league at a minimum. In general terms the league is unable to operate or sustain those expectations. Even if 1 or 2 clubs can from time to time will not save the league. Does the whole consept of the a-league need to be changed, and to what?

Waz - Smiled at this latest comment re. "the Enforcer" namely one Davie Mackay who played with the great Spurs team of the early 60's and yes. he was truly a hard man, but I also remember a slight, may I say frail, master of football who played in the same team and who spent most of his game time setting up chances for 2 prolific goal scorers in Bobby Smith and the immaculate Jimmy Greaves. Died too early, killed on a golf course sheltering , or should I say trying to shelter, from lightning, as I say a "master" gone too early. jb

… and jb While I take your point any player, Caletti included, looks better in better playing company that is not a luxury Roar have with certain players signed more for their (lack of) impact on the wage bill than their impact on a game. So, if you’re asking me how I’d change this up with the current squad, no magic wand, no new signings … I’d change the formation from a 4-2-3-1 which is getting found out with the front 4 high leaving space in behind (who knew lol) to a 4-4-1-1 pulling the wingers back in line with the dual 6’s of O’Shea/Florin Ahead of these two I’d be playing Waddingham up high and in behind him I’d start Brownlie. Waddingham needs support as he hasn’t got the smarts to make space for himself and has basically been a passenger this season, but mixed in with a pocket dynamo that is Brownlie the two could be quite a handful Neither has the engine for regular 90 minutes, especially while growing, but Hore/Florin could equally execute the same function. There’s two set ups where you absolutely need the talent in all positions: 433 and 4231, and Roar don’t have enough talent for either set up, especially with injuries as we are seeing right now. At a coaching conference many years ago the late Peter Taylor said “if you haven’t got the talent, stack the midfield” and I think he’s right - a midfield of 4 or 5 would be appropriate for Roar right now imo

brainstrust - You are analysing a team that probably no one in their right mind would pick to play in an away game against such a well put together team. The popular emphasis appears to be attack, attack, attack, no matter what type of retaliation can be expected to be put up against you. Yesterday's result has been coming for weeks with the simple instruction ,attack Roar on the wings, draw out their centre-backs and attack the vacant central defence area. Against a player like McLaren a gift from heaven. It would appear on occasIons that whosoever is called upon to play fullback, you name Hingert, Zabala, ,Brown,sometime Trewin , sometime the player who went to Sydney, and the blunt truth is not one of these players appear to understand the role they are expected to fill. Are they full backs in a 4-3-3-system, or are they wingbacks in a system that appears to use another 2 wide wingers already filling "their space" and normally used when playing 4-4-2 or even 3-5-2. Up front we have a raw kid running his guts out chasing interpassing players while at the same time getting little or no help from non-existent playmakers. All of these problems point to a bad state of affairs at Roar's A league team with players urged to get results with no apparent plan in vogue. Cheers jb

It’s not impossible that Robbie Fowler returns to Roar in the New Year. I’m never sure “going back” is the answer but there is unfinished business and without COVID I feel Fowler had a chance at winning it. Hs never got enough credit for his coaching, said silly as he was judged prematurely after a slow season start but by mid-season he had Roar playing really well.

Waz - Some good points being made but I like to look at the big picture when assessing both player, his talents, and that of the other players talents both in his team and that of the opponent. and of course the system of play being used by the coach which surely has to have as it's aim, get the best out of his players. When you look at all these factors it is not so easy in where to use a player in order to get the best out of his talents, be they skill or vision. I think we both agree that Caletti is not being used in a position that suits his talents and reduces the effect of his physical deficiences. If so then the responsibility has to fall back on who is picking him and playing him in a position that calls on h is normal skill factor.. Would you ever consider playing Caletti as a central striker when using two wide wingers whose job it is to cross the ball after beating the full back. Of course not and yet that is what is happening with Brainstrust picking out the success of (long balls over the top) putting pressure on a midfield not renowned for it's aggression or power but being encouraged by someone to attack,attack,attack.!!!!!! This is a suicidal "master plan" and can only end in more results like the one suffered this weekend. Enjoying this debate and don't forget, look at the powerhouses playing in Europe and remember that in his short pre covid spell Fowler had already started to move towards that system 3-5-2, by bringing with him 2 centre backs,a midfielder and a striker. Only the latter was a failure. Can you imagine how Berisha would have performed in that system with. Back to the discussion ,could Caletti have performed better surrounded by Broich, Mackay, Murdocca and the giant who won the championship with his aerial prowess. We'll never know but it is nice to reminisce. Cheers jb.

Perfect summary SS, 5’4” is not too small but does put a player at a physical disadvantage which s/he has to compensate for - all players have strengths & weaknesses, it’s how they maximise one & minimise the other. The gym will help solidify a small player, especially working on the core for both strength & balance, but what can’t be developed easily is that desire to compete - it’s often a personality trait (or a “complex” even) gained in younger life that can be brought up and fine tuned. Caletti looks almost too nice on the field but I don’t know him so can only judge him on his football actions which I’ve described my observations above. I guarantee he looks great in training or at trials - but he has been pushed around the park in the A League so far this season.

im probably a good person to speak on joe, as i have done extensive reporting on him as a teenager as well as seeing him first hand at training in adelaide. IMO he was the star of that COE side - in a side with great players like delianov, arzani, d'agostino, he absolutely ran those matches. the problem was always going to be his height (same issue as nisbet) and why they'll never represent the australian international team or have careers in europe. they are both fine technical players, train really well and are genuinely nice guys - unfortunately in the position that they both play you need to be 6 foot plus attacking mids, wingers/strikers may get a pass with height - but definitely not a 5'3 & 5'4 central midfielder plenty of people and clubs passed over both players (me included) and it still happens today when you are that short

correct. ross did want the player, he loved his energy and was a big reason in jo signing for adelaide (much to my dismay)

ego? hahah now i've heard it all. the funny thing is i dont have an ego Some people absolutely find me hard to work with (like when my interview for a league all access was cut), but its not my job to bandaid the truth - i will rip it off. i understand being that you're a brisbane fan, you'd be quite upset at what i am talking about and probably dont believe i should be talking about the club like i have been. but you have to remember i am friends with your ex head of football (10+ years) your recent ex coach (10+ years) one of your ex youth team coaches (10+ years) and multiple members of the current playing squad (including having coffee at one of the players parents house less than 2 weeks ago.) i will reveal bits of information that arent publicly known, but not the full story because i need to protect my relationships. you can choose to believe what you want to believe

Agree re: Aldred - his performance vs Nix was a collectors piece on really bad defending. In games at Redcliffe last few seasons he was caught out constantly conceding on corners & crosses without attacking ball which should be easy for centre-backs !!!

Caletti isnt that fast over longer distances and small but he is certainly not that slow. He is energetic, fit agile and applies himself in pressing well. He also turns up every game and puts in a decent effort. Your comparing him to Murdocca who one of the best athletes the A-league has seem in terms of fitness and speed. You have no issues putting Caletti down and exagerrating his limitations. There seems to be grand levels of delusions about the rest of the team. OShea is struggling physically and is 35, he is more consistent in effort this year and has done well for his age. If you look at back past seasons there have been games where he lacked energy and dawdled around. Florin seems to take a long time to build up his fitness, a lot of games for City he faded in the second half for his first seasons. He had a good period for City in one season but once injured he went backwards quickly. Also older and he started to go well after a series of games but then the injury and he comes back looked ordinary. Gomulca he is no Zadkovich , if he was more switched on, fitter, better and smarter defensively , and consistent in effort you would say he is what Brisbane need. If he had stayed still on one of the City goal he could have stopped it he went to the outside . If there had been other players tracking back to the top of the area then Caletti could have gone to help him. Lets look at the backline, Hingert is getting on he is slower than Caletti, Trewin I am struggling to work out how those two balls along the ground by Behich got through to Maclaren, I didnt think that Trewin was that slow, did he misjudge them. Aldred prime physical specimen apparently. Zabala has decent pace but he is not really quick. This doesnt add up. What happened to Akhbari could have been the best midielder in the A-league but he went downhill and looke out of it. The inside knowledge seems to be avoiding the real dirty secrets of Roar and putting down the few decent triers that this club has.

Sad loss for the Mariners, a player whose ability I really admire. (I'll do an SS now) I recommended him to a Championship club in the UK but they did not take it any further. Good luck to Tulio he deserves it.

I have had dealings with Logan Council in regard to a football club's water bill. The original lease the club had gave us free water for watering the fields which we backed up by pumping water from a huge dam to augment the water supply. As the club grew and installed poker machines in the clubhouse the water bills suddenly appeared along with other charges for ratable items. Suddenly the councils view was that the club is now a commercial entity which was hard to fathom when we supported over 600 junior players and still held a tax free status.