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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.…
I think you meant “not” gone Fuss, Fruedian slip?
Really good constructive comment, and in the main I agree.
If the Victory can be tight and not concede, and remain patient & not allow themselves to become frustrated with rougher tactics, they have too quality in attack to write off.
And it’s a fair point saying they were weakened. As I wrote at the time, when CCM came to Wanderland on the first weekend of Jan, WSW were missing four of their big guns. It showed.
Who has the full set of cards in the big games coming up, regular season & in the finals, will have the advantage.
Look fwd to seeing how Victory respond to this “power” play
Muscling-up helps muzzle Melbourne's momentum
Goal-a-game-Moza, great to hear from ya old friend.
Say hi to everyone at the Congs.
Once a Congo, always a Congo
Who's in your A-League All-Stars XI?
Tantilising prospect Peter, but it would mean that Syd need to pull the finger out and start making some tough/right calls.
I wrote about this last week, suggesting Farina should bring Triantis in for McFlynn. It’s been obvious for 3 seasons at least.
He didn’t.
Right now they remain pretenders
Wanderers look as likely as anyone to lift the golden toilet seat
Dino concurs…
Wanderers look as likely as anyone to lift the golden toilet seat
Fascinating, thought provoking mid, thanks for sharing…
In a few more years this might worry a local code or two…
Wanderers look as likely as anyone to lift the golden toilet seat
Looks like it was another big night off the field at Wanderland to go with the on field work
http://m.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/football/wanderers-success-story-continues-off-the-pitch/story-fndb5nmd-1226564554705
Wanderers look as likely as anyone to lift the golden toilet seat
I made a comment about Heart’s away form on Twitter ahead of the SydFC game. They haven’t won outside of Melb for 13 months, since Dec27, 2011, when they beat SydFC 4-0 at the SFS
Big Blue the Sky Blues' chance to prove they are the real deal
For me it has to be Triantis. He did a great job against the CCM and Rogic, and while the Victory pose a different set of questions, flooding the midfield in numbers, he has shown he can handle the big game.
I think Frank will go with McFlynn, but I’d be mounting a case for Triantis.
Big Blue the Sky Blues' chance to prove they are the real deal
Impressed that Syd actually had a functioning from third Fuss, acknowledged that they’ve still got a few gaps to sort, especially at left back and in the space in front of the back four.
I’m sure many in Melbourne can’t wait to see ADP in flesh, you included 😉
Big Blue the Sky Blues' chance to prove they are the real deal
Thanks for your contribution Jupiter, it’s a fair observation re the formation, but there really isn’t much of a difference in what you describe and what I saw.
The diamond also features a deeper sitting holder distanced from the rest. It’s true though that Emerton and Abbas were a little higher and wider than say the CCM diamond of last season, at times close to ADP, but this was also down to ADP’s propensity to drop, in order to influence the play.
Other times ADP was higher that Emerton & Abbas, closer to Yau & Powell, making it more of a 4-3-3.
Other times Yau & Powell would drop off into the same line as Emerton, ADP & Abbas, making it a 4-1-5.
Let’s not get caught up in debate about the exact formation, as this varies at any one point in a game. Otherwise, some good points.
What was different about Sydney FC against the Mariners
Thanks Tim, and thanks also for sending your post, very good job.
I’m particularly glad you pointed out the diagram relating to Grant’s passing, you must have had an ear to my thoughts throughout the game, as I was certainly very vocal about it to those I was with.
It was so frustrating watching a left back come inside every time due to a technical inability to use his left peg. On many occasions he was in a great position to cross or come down the line, but invariably hesitated, dropped onto his right and came back or inside.
His game was full of industry/effort, but I couldn’t get over this technical hole. It is why, when debating who should have got the Alex Tobin 3, 2, 1 the next day on Twitter, I stayed right away from Grant & went ADP, Triantis & Ryall.
Having said, Grant is miles ahead of Fabio as a left back option. I’ll just have to put up with this frustration until something better is found.
Apart from that, you make a point about CCM’s going slow in forward transition, and it’s true they didn’t go forward as well as they have, but I believe much of this was down to Sydney’s better conditioning, which allowed them to remain better organised and transition very well into defence, as a unit.
That and Triantis’s job on CCM’s main transition point, Rogic.
What was different about Sydney FC against the Mariners
Decent Squad with the usual odd Osieck puzzler.
Puzzlers include Jamieson (when you have Behich/McKay already & ahead of Goodwin), & Matt Smith over Durante and Sainsbury.
Malik over Paartalu makes sense on ACL & A-League form, although you’d think Paartalu has earn’t enough past points, which appears to be the case with both Smith & Franjic, who are included.
Assessing Osieck's East Asian Cup A-Leaguers
Agree re Nichols, as per story. Wouldn’t be upset if he missed out, probably a little surprised though
Assessing Osieck's East Asian Cup A-Leaguers
If it was solely A-League, Djite might be a sniff, but I suspect a guy like Babalj might get a gig, so I’ve left Djite out
Assessing Osieck's East Asian Cup A-Leaguers
Overall, rate Holger’s squad, especially the inclusion of Rogic, Ryan, Babalj, Thwaite & Behich.
Reckon Mooy & Galekovic should be there, 100%.
Not quite sure why Schwarzer & Neill have to be included. Get the feeling they’ll still be picked, even after they retire.
The fact he’s picked a few of the old guard means they’ll play, but I’d be going with this;
Ryan; McGowan, Thwaite, Spiranovic, McKay; Leckie, Holland, Sarota, Oar; Brosque, Rukavytsya
With ample time off the bench for Rogic, Babalj & Behich
One thing picking all these kids. Now give them some minutes.
In all likelihood, McGowan will come on for Wilkshire, Thwaite for Neill, Ryan for Schwarzer, Behich for McKay, Sarota for Valeri, while Rogic, Leckie, Rukavytsya & Babalj will likely come from bench too.
A Socceroos XI and squad for South Korea
Sydney FC statement on Jason Culina;
Sydney FC has signed two-time Australian World Cup midfielder Jason Culina for the remainder of the 2012/13 Hyundai A-League season.
The 32-year-old signed with the Sky Blues last night after undergoing exhaustive rehabilitation from a leg injury that threatened to end his stellar career.
Culina, who has played 58 internationals for the Qantas Socceroos including the 2006 and 2010 World Cups, declared he was thrilled to be back.
“It’s absolutely brilliant to be back,” Culina said. “It’s something that kept me awake at night, thinking about playing again so I’m really happy and grateful to have the opportunity to continue my career so close to home with a club like Sydney FC.
“There were times I thought I wanted to give up but I knew that if I put in the effort and commitment I could get back so I never gave up on the desire to play again.
“I’ve had to put in a lot of hard work and some days it has been hard but I’d like to sincerely thank Stan Ivancic (Sydney FC physiotherapist) and the Sydney FC medical staff for what they did in helping me with my rehab at what was a tough time. Without them I wouldn’t be where I am at the moment.
Culina also expressed his joy at continuing his career in his hometown in front of family and friends.
“It’s always special when you play for a big club and when it is also in your home town it’s extra special,” he said. “I just have to continue working hard to make sure I can get to the point where I can start playing and repay the faith that has been shown in me.”
Sky Blues coach Ian Crook welcomed Culina to Sydney FC, applauding his dedication to regaining his fitness and declaring the Socceroo a “great addition” to the squad.
“Jason has had to go through a lot to get to this point and we’re very happy to have him join Sydney FC,” Crook said. “He has shown he is a tremendous football player, he’s now proven his fitness, his desire has been there for all to see throughout the last few months and we’re really happy that he has shown his commitment to Sydney FC.”
Five big questions ahead of A-League round two
As I wrote MVDave, Roar look a little more direct under Rado, this game could suit them, press and react.
Five big questions ahead of A-League round two
Further to my first question, Sydney FC will make an annoucement today at 11am regarding a major player signing, expected to be Jason Culina. He is expected to be ready to play in a few weeks.
Hearing it might not be the only player movement.
Five big questions ahead of A-League round two
Agree whisky, think Crook deserves time, but there will also be some internal pressure to produce.
I think a few of the great and undervalued things that Lavicka brought to Sydney were professionalism, stability and culture, and it would be a shame if any of these were lost
A-League 2012/13 preview: Pressure Crooker at Sydney FC
Agree re Rogic v Amini
A-League Preview: Duke and Rogic could send Mariners all the way
Good read on Ibini Nordster
A-League Preview: Duke and Rogic could send Mariners all the way
Wow, but it could all change if you guys can win on the weekend & Glory knock off WSW, although the latter is less likely to be honest.
Then the WSW go to CCM the following weekend & if they draw & you guys win you’re right back in the mix.
Don’t lose the faith…
Muscling-up helps muzzle Melbourne's momentum