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Tony Tannous, "The Round Ball Analyst", is a Sydney-based freelance football writer of all things technical and tactical, and has been covering Australian and international football for over 20 years. Tony is a pioneer of football analysis downunder, having started Australia's first football blog, "The Round Ball Analyst", in 2006, and has been an integral part of The Roar since 2009.
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On the field it's been an outstanding A-League season, perhaps the best yet, as I wrote two months ago. One of the things I've…
Australians have every reason to be delighted with the progress of Ange Postecoglou's Socceroos as they navigated their first phase of qualifiers with a…
With little hype and fanfare ahead of tonight’s World Cup qualifier in Adelaide, it makes it hard for Ange Postecoglou to get his players…
If the success or quality of any competition is to be measured by its evenness and depth, and there is some debate if that's…
Much of what went on in the terraces at Etihad Stadium was about flexing some muscle to send a message about who is the…
To say it's one of the most anticipated games of the season would be underselling tomorrow night's clash at Wanderland between the top two,…
When the Western Sydney Wanderers arrived on the A-League scene it promised to represent the region's best values of hard work and honesty, rather…
It's been a crazy old year for the round ball game in Australia. From the highs of the Asian Cup and the win by…
The one thing that's struck me watching the Western Sydney Wanderers this season is just how calm and composed everyone is, and much of…
Right now, if you were looking for leadership and where the power lies in the round ball game in Australia, you'd be hard pressed…
Football's head office might feel it's stuck between a rock and a hard place in terms of trying to keep everyone onside, but right…
It's been a few weeks since my most recent post on The Roar and as always there's so much to talk about in Australian football. Whether…
It wasn't that long ago that Matt McKay was the Socceroos permanent makeshift solution at left-back and there seemed no immediate specialist in sight.…
It's Sydney derby time on Saturday. If the Western Sydney Wanderers are to take anything from their trip to the SFS, their front three…
Not fancied by many to make any impression this season, the three local 'newcomer' managers to the A-League all made a flying start in…
If the A in A-League stood for 'ambition' at the start of the 2012-13, when Alessandro Del Piero, Emile Heskey and Shinji Ono were…
There may be a degree of the unknown in what awaits the Socceroos in the first phase of qualifying for Russia 2018 after Tuesday's…
Tony Popovic has struggled this season to get the Western Sydney Wanderers playing proactively. But last night, by playing Japanese playmaker Yujiro Takahagi deeper…
This week might have been all about players misbehaving, on and off the pitch, but given that the A-League is generally struggling to hit…
It wasn't so long ago, only 2012 in fact, that football fans were pulling their hair out about the length of the A-League off-season.…
hey Sheek, really nice to meet you, and thanks for dropping by here to say hi
Assessing each A-League team a third of the season in
Any critique of the skipper’s character in putting down the kids?
Ange keen to build a bubble of belief after first up win
He does have a right to air his view. I disagreed with him though, it was never the kids, it was Holger. You don’t blame the kids, especially after his performances.
But the point is, if he can have a go at the youngsters (essentially boo them), don’t the paying spectators have a right to boo him? Isn’t it a tad hypocritical to complain about the boos?
Ange keen to build a bubble of belief after first up win
Two great comments gentlemen, very good observations. I agree, spot on
Analysis: Mooy and Spiranovic helping the Wanderers in possession
Bit rich of our skipper to be complaining about the boo boys when it was only a short time ago he was putting down our youngsters?
Ange keen to build a bubble of belief after first up win
Thanks JB,
Great step back into the 80s & your right to see that most of these blokes were products of the NSL which was very strong at the time. I missed the Bicentennial Gold Cup (had to watch on tv) & Israel match in 89 (updates on radio) as I was too young & had no one to take me, so 93 was very formative for me in terms of live support.
I reflect fondly on how often we played back then, and around the country
20 years on: Memories of a green and gold year like few others
Awesome Towser, it was reverse for me, watching the “Agostino’s done it” call from Gary Bloom on the box, & being at the final
20 years on: Memories of a green and gold year like few others
Great contribution Fuss,
I remember itching to go to Israel in 89 but was too young & had no-one to take me, so had to make do with getting updates on the radio. I was like a cat on a hot tin roof, & obviously disappointed in the end. Trimmers was a fave.
97? I sulked about the g for at least half an hour post ft, & stil haven’t watched it back.
Been some roller coaster, hopefully some fresh highs soon
20 years on: Memories of a green and gold year like few others
Thanks Mid, you referring to the Roos or young’uns?
20 years on: Memories of a green and gold year like few others
Thanks Nearpost, didn’t realise you were here as far back as Canada, what a ride, all formative stuff.
Not sure, Ange says he selected him & was surprised he pulled out
20 years on: Memories of a green and gold year like few others
Welcome Franko, and thanks for the contribution.
Adelaide City were absolutely the heart of the team. Ivanovic, what a legend, ice cool, great combo with Tobin, Zabica a freak, the Viddies ever-present, what a club under Matic.
Re Slater, you may remember he got Diego’s strip, even though Wadey had it on most of the game 😉
20 years on: Memories of a green and gold year like few others
Brilliant Jukes getting on the team bus, why not. We fell in love with that Ghana side, what a ride…
20 years on: Memories of a green and gold year like few others
You’re spot on guys, Milan was also in 93 & I was also there. Incredible to see the talent they brought over. I was so happy seeing Baresi & Maldini, & loved Papin at the time. We were spoilt.
The only disaster in Sydney was the Socceroos fluoro yellow strips, shocking….
20 years on: Memories of a green and gold year like few others
Thanks jaji, and very true re the Olympics announcement that year, what a night that was, added to a great year
20 years on: Memories of a green and gold year like few others
That’s fair enough. As I said towards the end, that’s the test for JA & them all, to evolve beyond a base
Building a base gives Jets, Heart, Glory and Phoenix fans hope
Hi rellum, thanks for the comment. I’m not quite sure what you’re disagreeing with because your analysis of the Heart is pretty much how I’ve seen & said it. ie. sitting deep & countering.
What I’m saying is that they’re building a defensive base first. Whether they eventually come out remains to be seen, but we’re agreeing they’re taking a defensive/pragmatic approach, and I say that’s building a base.
Building a base gives Jets, Heart, Glory and Phoenix fans hope
If you read closely, I haven’t said anything about him being a tactical genius, but in my opinion he’s a man of technical detail, a clever technician who knows and sees football
2013/14 A-League season preview: Western Sydney Wanderers
Definitely interesting to see what effect any sale does have, on & off the pitch
2013/14 A-League season preview: Western Sydney Wanderers
Agree, would be great if Mooy has a big year
2013/14 A-League season preview: Western Sydney Wanderers
The big q Nathan. As I wrote, everyone will be coming at Poppa. WSW will need to be switched on, from the start
2013/14 A-League season preview: Western Sydney Wanderers
Good comment Chris,
I had similar thoughts re Santalab when he was signed, but was impressed with the 2 goals he scored preseason against the Nix. They were classic number 9 goals, near post headers. Also keen to see how he’s evolved and continues to evolve under Poppa.
2013/14 A-League season preview: Western Sydney Wanderers
Speaking of Rickie Lambert, check out his winning goal for England on debut this morning in the 3-2 win over Scotland
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnOVxsYdQlE&feature=youtube_gdata_player
2013/14 EPL season preview: Southampton
Overall a very good squad. From the 22 I nominated, 15 picked. 10 of my 12 Europeans, 5 of the above 10 A-Leaguers.
The most surprising omissions to me were Galekovic & Troisi. Galekovic esp, I’ve got him ahead of Langerak & Jones, vying with Ryan for the no.1 spot, Ange obviously not of the same view.
Also thought Zullo would be close.
But understand Postecoglou would want to have a look at the likes of Good, Luongo, Herd
The A-Leaguers Postecoglou might be eying for Ecuador