Expert
Joined January 2015
729k
Views
545
Published
19.3k
Comments
Stuart Thomas is a sports writer, freelance journalist and copywriter who made the jump from Roar Guru to Expert in 2017. A former trainee professional golfer, his sporting passions are broad with particular interests in football, AFL and rugby league. His love of sport is only matched by his passion for gardening and self-sustainability. Follow him on Twitter @stuartthomas72, connect with him on Facebook and LinkedIn and see his work at https://www.stuartthomas.com.au
Published
Comments
Aside from the opening fixture in which the struggling Roar will face the effervescent Victory at Suncorp Stadium, tipping in Round 8 in the A-League looks something of an impossibility.
If anecdotal expressions of dislike towards Virat Kohli are an accurate reflection of broader Australia’s attitude towards him, the Indian captain is potentially the most hated person in the country right now.
Each and every week the football world provides us with a collection of stories, rumours and events that get tongues wagging with both praise and criticism.
Liverpool sits atop the Premier League table after Chelsea scored a tenacious 2-0 victory against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.
Round 7 A-League action began with a reborn Wanderers at Spotless. It was followed by an impotent Sydney, an electric Victory and ended with a revitalised Newcastle.
Match result: Newcastle have moved into the A-League top six for the first time this season after scoring a solid 2-0 win over Brisbane.
Match result: Sydney coach Steve Corica has promised changes while ruing lapses of concentration, with Wellington’s perfectly executed game plan carrying them to a 3-1 A-League boilover away win.
After a round in which Melbourne Victory stamped their class on the competition, the Wellington Phoenix denied the Glory with ten men, and Brisbane and Adelaide fought out a classic encounter at Coopers Stadium, Monday necessitated a good lie down.
I’m fairly pleased that The Roar didn’t charge me with the task of making sense of the Round 6 A-League match at Coopers Stadium on Friday night. I’m not quite sure what I would have made of the whole thing, or said.
On Sunday, Arsenal scored their ninth win of the Premier League season in a cracking north London derby at the Emirates Stadium..
Round 6 of the A-League brought the predictable drama and controversy so common in Australian football.
Wellington Phoenix have held on for a gallant 1-1 draw in the face of immense pressure from Perth Glory.
Match result: Wellington Phoenix have held on for a gallant 1-1 draw in the face of immense pressure from Perth Glory.
Evan Morgan Grahame is leading the field a merry dance in the early stages of the tipping season. With another four correct selections last weekend, the international break did nothing to derail his form.
I have made little effort to disguise my admiration of Adam Taggart’s skills as a finisher.
Tottenham Hotspur have wiped the floor with previously undefeated Chelsea, administering a 3-1 thrashing at Wembley Stadium.
The round opened with a much needed victory for the Jets on the road and ended with three points that kept Perth atop the A-League ladder.
Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory meet in the first ‘big blue’ of the season at Jubilee Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5pm (AEDT).
The Wellington Phoenix host Adelaide United at Westpac Stadium in Round 5 of the 2018-19 A-League season. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5:35pm (AEDT).
With the international break over and the tributes for Tim Cahill flowing, it is time to recommence A-League action.
Admittedly, two of those Socceroos goals came in a 8-0 whitewash. But I agree with this in principle. He converts. Last week I wrote a piece on Timmy and the stats were alarming around Australia’s attackers.
Leckie, Kruse, Juric and Troisi have 26 goals between them from 204 internationals.
I’d be far more comfortable with Taggart up front.
Is Taggart the man now that Timmy’s time is up?
Why are all the young quality strikers coming out of Queensland Waz? How do you do it? Must be Aloisi! Nice to have some Roar content on here. PS – Noticed I tipped your boys again. #inaloisiwetrust
Is Taggart the man now that Timmy’s time is up?
Agree Fadida, Taggart looks the only current Australian forward blessed with true nine qualities. Juric is close and Maclaren does have potential. If we did send him to the Asian Cup, could we do worse? I think not. The other boys are struggling to score, if he does as well, what is the difference. Give him a shot I say. It might just work. I would like to add again that I am not related to Adam or on his payroll. Just a fan.
Is Taggart the man now that Timmy’s time is up?
I’m re-watching now and the Dutchman did a lot more than people are giving him credit for. A solid game. Perhaps the bumbling penalty tarnished it a little. Niedermeier was very good yet I felt Sydney’s limp attack asked few questions. Van der Linden was under the pump a lot and did a mountain of work. I enjoyed calling the game, it wasn’t the most tense of ‘blues’ but certainly had a lot on the line. I needed a central defender after struggling to find a stand out earlier in the weekend.
The A-League team of the week: Round 5
Have written about this for tomorrow. Brisbane will only get better and better as this season unfolds.
The A-League team of the week: Round 5
That was a bit of a mystery bet wasn’t it? Just working an a piece that features your main man right now. Should run tomorrow.
The A-League team of the week: Round 5
Yeah, I saw a few people frustrated with van der Linden online during the match, I thought he played strongly. I might have another look today. More alarmingly, Sydney looked impotent up front.
The A-League team of the week: Round 5
He is a freak Jordan. The best of the best. Light is still on before he hits the pillow, so fast he is.
Six talking points from A-League Round 5
Does anyone know the real story behind the Fornaroli non selection? I’ve contacted everyone I thought might have an answer and they all seem more interested in the Victorian election landslide. What is Joyce doing? Oh well, I’ll stick with my Taggart man-crush.
Six talking points from A-League Round 5
Well said Nemesis. When I met James I was stunned by his business acumen and a whole array of issues of which most be unaware. He is a very impressive chap. One of the best accents you’ve ever heard as well.
An invitation to the Football Business Network – Executive Event
Lovely take on the weekends action. Honda was class, Mudgee was cool and Keogh is heading towards a phenomenal season. What was your take on Redmayne’s effort in goal? Looked a little clumsy to me.
Six talking points from A-League Round 4
Nicely said Mike. Hopefully this is a terrific night for the locals and a well attended game. Small grounds do sometimes delivers a terrific atmosphere through the television screens and hopefully this is one of those occasions. Lest we forget.
An A-League match in Mudgee is the perfect addition to Remembrance Round
Just couldn’t squeeze him in. He played very well but gee the Mariners were poor. I was blogging the game so had a good look at him, as did Graham Arnold which is an interesting development.
The A-League team of the week: Round 3
A cultural review is an astonishing term. From where does culture stem in organisation? Leadership, plain and simple.
Cricket Australia release cultural review findings: 42 recommendations put forward in wake of ball-tampering scandal
No doubt he played exceptionally. I was covering the Roar game and admired the way he didn’t become tentative after the yellow. He did an excellent job of timing challenges and made astute decisions for the remainder of the game.
The A-League team of the week: Round 2
I’m hoping for a ripper derby and a plump crowd. Anything less than 30,000 will be alarming. Interesting new venue and I must admit to having grave concerns thanks to the absurd number of major infrastructure changes happening as we speak in Sydney.
Those outside Sydney need to appreciate what a monumental effort it is to attend the SCG. I live 25km from the SCG, travel time via public transport = 1 hour and 15 minutes (and that excludes the inevitable delays that occur in Saturday night traffic). I could run the gauntlet and take the M2 motorway which can be a blessing or a farce.
It puts everyone in a state of uncertainty and it is totally understandable that many choose to watch in comfort at home or their local establishment.
Not an excuse, just a reason.
The Wanderers' dwindling fan base proves why they're Sydney's second team
Ray Gatt’s piece in the Australian suggests Bolt’s people not happy with the small offer and an eventual parting of the ways may occur.
Bolt may be a cow on ice, but it looks like he's here to stay
Doyle was outstanding for the Nix. Must admit I probably haven’t respected his talent enough if that is what he is capable of.
The A-League team of the week: Round 1
I couldn’t find space for one player from Friday night. No one shone. It was that kind of game. Kurz produces that a fair bit. Effective and grinding. Both teams have a lot of improving to do. Roar were the team of the week for me. On his day, Taggart will put four of those chances away.
The A-League team of the week: Round 1
Well done Mike,
Just the positive type of piece that fits perfectly with the start of the season. In my view, it slots in well with the positive coverage of football here on the Roar. Might go and pick up the Sydney papers and see what kind of A-League coverage is featured ten pages from the back. Pardon my cynicism.
Keisuke Honda is the monster the A-League needs
Have never once forgotten to include the Roar. Left them out intentionally due to the semantics of the word luck perhaps, but never forgotten them. How could anyone forget the Roar, what with the silver fox in charge?
The Roar's A-League expert tips and predictions: Round 1
As you know I tip them often. If I don’t mention them I am dismissive of their chances, yet when I ride them all the way to the top six (like last year) and get behind them, I’m the kiss of death. In all seriousness, Taggart is the key. I really like Taggart. Go Taggart.
The Roar's A-League expert tips and predictions: Round 1
He was very young back in 2012 wasn’t he? Not ready and you are right, the weight of expectation was there. I’ve always harboured the view that he was the one we needed up front and was so pleased to see him get some consistent football at Perth in recent years. 25 is a perfect age for the Socceroos to use him again. I’m not sure what Arnold thinks of him. If he is any sort of fan, he will probably get a bench spot in January. Surely we have to make some changes up front considering the recent goal scoring form of the incumbents?
Is Taggart the man now that Timmy’s time is up?