Roar Guru
Joined January 2018
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It's been four months since the Socceroos bowed out of the Asian Cup in a disappointing performance, so now coach Graham Arnold rightfully wishes…
The 14th A-League season is coming to a close, with plenty of players who delivered and some players who didn't. Here's a squad of…
The Olyroos, run by Socceroos coach Graham Arnold, need to finish first or be the top four highest-ranked second-placed teams in order to qualify…
After Wellington's 8-2 triumph over Central Coast, Adelaide dropped down to fifth. Lurking underneath in sixth and seventh are Melbourne City and a much…
The Socceroos have five players down now, with Aaron Mooy, Mathew Leckie, Daniel Arzani, Brandon Borrello and most recently Martin Boyle all injured. So,…
Australia, the defending champions of Asia, have always been an Asian football powerhouse since leaving the Oceanian Confederation in 2006. They made the quarterfinals…
The Socceroos struggle to score goals from open play against strong sides, and this was highlighted in the World Cup. Graham Arnold's era had…
Last season, Western Sydney finished seventh. They did well in their attack, but they could have improved in the midfield and the defence. In…
Last season, Wellington finished ninth. They did well in their midfield consisting of Matthew Ridenton, Goran Paraski, Matija Ljujic and Sarpeet Singh but they…
With the 2018-19 A-League season starting in under a week, it's a good time to analyse one of the top teams, Sydney FC. After…
Perth finished eighth last season and will be looking to improve their defence to take a step forward this time around. Last season's position…
The Newcastle Jets had an impressive season last year, finishing as runners-up. Ernie Merrick will look to build upon that surprising finish and go…
Last season Melbourne Victory finished fourth and won the grand final after defeating the Newcastle Jets 1-0 after an incorrect offside decision. They did…
Last season, Melbourne City finished third. They did well defensively, with Bart Schenkeveld a rock in the back, but they could have improved in…
Last season, Central Coast had an improved squad but finished last. They did well in creating chances in the front third, but they could…
With the transfer window nearly over and the season beginning for a new Brisbane Roar side, read below to see a brief overview of…
With the A-League 2018-19 season on the horizon and the transfer window nearly over for an inconsistent Adelaide United side, read below to see…
Brisbane Roar was very inconsistent last season, and had the oldest A-League starting XI from Rounds 20-22, with Jack Hingert (currently 27) their youngest…
Central Coast finished the 2017-18 A-League season poorly after losing 8-2 to their rivals Newcastle Jets. Since Wellington defeated Melbourne City 2-1 in Round…
Marco Kurz's side has a difficult season ahead after they have lost the likes of veterans Johan Absalonsen, Daniel Adlung, Tarek Elrich, Ersan Gulum…
Reddy has made quite a few blunders this season, most that went unpunished, so I would certainly not put him in goal. Despite this, he has improved under Tony Popovic.
The Roar’s A-League team of the season are Johnny Warren Medal contenders
I made my own team/squad of the season which was rather controversial as well. Surprisingly, only three of the eleven players in your team of the season made my starting eleven (Craig Goodwin, Ritchie De Laet and Ola Toivonen.
Personally I wonder why everyone raves about Ninkovic. He’s in his mid thirties, and I don’t think he’s setting the league on fire at all.
The Roar’s A-League team of the season are Johnny Warren Medal contenders
I’m just saying we all thought Victory would do well in the AFC Champions League and look at how poorly they are doing. Don’t assume Victory will lift for the finals, remember Acton, Niedermeier, Honda, Baena and Toivonen haven’t played finals before. And of course, Berisha always lifted for finals and he isn’t there.
Are Melbourne Victory contenders or pretenders?
The injury of Louis Fenton was a huge blow for Wellington. Now they are playing David Williams at right wingback who just isn’t suited for it. That is probably a huge reason for Wellington losing convincingly to Perth.
Are Melbourne Victory contenders or pretenders?
If you went on their form, you’d go for Victory and Adelaide.
The Roar's A-League expert tips and predictions: Elimination Finals
City 1 Roar 0
Jets 1 Wsw 3
Sydney 1 Victory 1
Adelaide 1 Nix 1
Mariners 1 Perth 2
The Roar's A-League expert tips and predictions: Round 24
To be honest, I think I would actually let Oriol Riera go. Despite scoring a few goals, he goes missing in games and a few of his goals are from the penalty spot (including some from rebounds). Duke, Yeboah, Baumjohann and Bonevacia seems like a good front four for next season. So perhaps a defender can help.
Western Sydney don't need Barbarouses, they need defenders
Personally I don’t think Kurz has given the youngsters enough game time; such as Apostolos Stamatelopoulos (brace in FFA Cup match against Mariners), Carlo Armiento (set up a winner and is dangerous off the bench), Pacifique Niyongabire (good form in NSL), Louis D’Arigo (young talent), Nathan Konstandopoulous (Adelaide’s best young player last season).
Lia is very old, Diawara and Thomassen delivered naught. Ilso wasn’t flash. Goals dried up from Goodwin and Kurz played a promising Blackwood out of position.
Elsey wasn’t at his best this season, he got injured and Regan left. Why didn’t Kurz bring in a centre half from Adelaide’s Youth Academy?
No wonder why Adelaide fans are frustrated and want change.
Why did Adelaide United sack Marco Kurz?
Are you serious? Putting someone who plays mainly as a right winger off the bench for Newcastle up the front for the Socceroos? He’s in his mid-twenties as well. Are you seriously saying THIS is all the Socceroos have got?
Kaine Sheppard - the Socceroos' unlikely striker solution?
Brisbane 1 Sydney FC 2
Wellington 3 Newcastle 1
Western Sydney 0 Melbourne City 1
Perth Glory 3 Melbourne Victory 1
Central Coast 1 Adelaide United 1
The Roar's A-League expert tips and predictions: Round 23
It actually wasn’t a bad performance considering the pitch and the conditions. Although Cambodia was woeful, gave away possession far too easily and panicked when under pressure. And their marking was terrible for the first goal.
Easy road to 2022? Forget it!
Well, it’s never an easy road to 2022, especially considering the poor performances of the Asian Cup. I think the Socceroos have to go rebuilding mode and throw out half the players from the Asian Cup squad, players which aren’t performing well and/or players who are 27 or older.
Easy road to 2022? Forget it!
Based on form, I would have to go with O’Neill. Based on experience, I would go with Baccus.
The Olyroos eleven Arnie needs to pick
Well I had the Glory down as 8th before the season started. Most had them in the middle of the road, so perhaps you’re right.
Six talking points from A-League Round 22
l would put in Millar at right back. Superb assist for the Mariners second goal and he has the most assists in the league. Deserves a Socceroos callup.
The A-League team of the week: Round 22
I think that Shayon Harrison and Florin Berenguer should be benched for Riley McGree and Lachlan Wales, but currently they are with the young Socceroos.
I still don’t think that highly of Sydney, I mean Caceres is sort of a City reject. City look like a different side with Jamie Maclaren and with key defenders coming back, I believe City could potentially pull off an upset.
Match preview: Sydney FC vs Melbourne City
With Adelaide’s lack of defenders and lack of goals, one would probably pick Perth.
I hope the Wanderers can pull off an upset and start a late surge.
I’m not sure if Sydney will be able to cross the line against City though.
The Roar's A-League expert tips and predictions: Round 22
I’d be very surprised if Sydney FC won this match. Everyone was talking about Sydney FC winning last season and I believe they sat at the bottom of their group, only winning one match.
ACL matchday 1 preview: Sydney FC vs Ulsan Hyundai
With the salary cap, it’s probably only going to be the Sydney and two Melbourne clubs competing for the title. The Mariners are likely to continue getting the wooden spoon and everyone else is probably in the middle.
Football will never be king until the salary cap is abolished
It’s about time United beat Sydney FC. They have a poor league record against them and haven’t beaten them since 2016 (D3 L5). The FFA Cup final was sweet revenge though.
Lia is past his best tbh, would pick Boland over him. Thomassen did win a penalty, which Goodwin failed to convert. But Kitto imo is looking bright. Adelaide could really use another attacker in form.
Match preview: Sydney FC vs Adelaide United
umm, probably Marco Rojas for those who remember him. I thought he was fantastic.
What will change when Milos Ninkovic leaves Sydney FC?
CCM vs Bri 2-1 (Mariners look better all of a sudden)
Nix vs Syd 1-0 (Sydney were lucky to get a point last week.)
Victory vs City 4-1 (City were poor against Newcastle last week. Victory to win comfortably.)
Jets vs Adelaide 2-2 (Two inconsistent teams. Could really go either way.)
Wsw vs Perth 1-2 (Glory to edge improved Wanderers)
The Roar's A-League expert tips and predictions: Round 20
I think Ninkovic has been very ordinary this season. In 2016/17, he was very good but I still wouldn’t have put him as Johnny Warren Medalist. In 2017/18, he was good in patches but certainly was less effective.
What will change when Milos Ninkovic leaves Sydney FC?
You’re an optimist! Well, I just can’t really see any of them being the next Harry Kewell or Tim Cahill. But, there’s some hope.
Qatar's 'overnight success' a long time in the making
I wonder what Rhyan Grant has done.
And perhaps you’re being rather harsh on Isaias.
The Roar’s A-League team of the season are Johnny Warren Medal contenders