Rebel. Don't sit in the away bay.
CCM are struggling to find a buyer. They have been selling players to make the payroll. And if they don't find a billionaire soon, Graham Arnold will sign for Sydney FC. Hmm. Not a great reason to get a coach for fans.
And if only Sydney and Melbourne can afford coaches, do we have a competition?
Friday, April 06, 2012
Sunday, March 25, 2012
A tale of 3 qualities
Group 1 - it isn't the players
Sydney, Victory, and Adelaide have not kept up with this year's step up in the A-League arms race. Sorry Robbie, Craig Foster got to it right. It isn't the Victory players - they have by far the best squad on paper. Sydney and Melbourne's coaches and tactics have not been good enough.
Adelaide and John Kosmina have shown it is not the platers. In Asia, they have shown what you can do in a very short time with the squad you have and that should be enough for Victory that was once the most sustainable club in the A-League. It would be very interesting to see Adelaide v Tokyo.
But Victory and Sydney should not be stealing Ange or Graham, they need to find their own answer. Preferably Australian, but I suspect that Harry Kewell was on an effective track with an Argentinian. That flare would suit Melbourne.
Group 2 - now it is the players
At the other end of the table, Brisbane has by far the best attack in the league, 46 goals, and CCM the best defence, only 23 conceded. As pointed out by a commentator this week, Brisbane need Zwaanwijk, while CCM need Berisha. And Brisbane's game v Tokyo demonstrated clearly the salary cap caused golf in athleticism between the teams, Japan's players selected from across a sporting population were faster and stronger in playing the same style of game. To reach the peak, the A-League will need to be the sport of choice for Australia's best potential athletes. That is another revolution and a media vested interest away. Not that soccer doesn't have its own massive own goals - FIFA, lack of technology, media own goals, former player own goals...
This year Perth and Wellington have demonstrated the value of the salary cap. The tyranny of distance, an advantage when Perth outspent NSL teams for better squads and coaches, has been broken. The evening out factor of the cap, has brought the pressure of half the games involving massive travel to bear. But this year, improved playing styles and 'home fortresses' worked magic. It will be interesting to see Perth's owner follows through will a massive cut in the wages bill next year. If he does, I expect Perth to return to the also run category.
Group 3 - it is the club structure and direction
In the middle are Heart and Newcastle. Playing the style of CCM and Brisbane but club conflict taking their eyes off the ball. It will be interesting to see what happens in Newcastle next season. They have something, but... And Heart, clearly their coach wanted out at the start of the year, a new club whose marketing strategy was based on fantasy and didn't draw on the experiences of the A-League. Their next coach and, probably, a new partner could determine if they go on with it next year. Can they get both?
Gold Coast are in this group. But they are playing their last match today. They have trained up some great players for other teams next year.
Sydney, Victory, and Adelaide have not kept up with this year's step up in the A-League arms race. Sorry Robbie, Craig Foster got to it right. It isn't the Victory players - they have by far the best squad on paper. Sydney and Melbourne's coaches and tactics have not been good enough.
Adelaide and John Kosmina have shown it is not the platers. In Asia, they have shown what you can do in a very short time with the squad you have and that should be enough for Victory that was once the most sustainable club in the A-League. It would be very interesting to see Adelaide v Tokyo.
But Victory and Sydney should not be stealing Ange or Graham, they need to find their own answer. Preferably Australian, but I suspect that Harry Kewell was on an effective track with an Argentinian. That flare would suit Melbourne.
Group 2 - now it is the players
At the other end of the table, Brisbane has by far the best attack in the league, 46 goals, and CCM the best defence, only 23 conceded. As pointed out by a commentator this week, Brisbane need Zwaanwijk, while CCM need Berisha. And Brisbane's game v Tokyo demonstrated clearly the salary cap caused golf in athleticism between the teams, Japan's players selected from across a sporting population were faster and stronger in playing the same style of game. To reach the peak, the A-League will need to be the sport of choice for Australia's best potential athletes. That is another revolution and a media vested interest away. Not that soccer doesn't have its own massive own goals - FIFA, lack of technology, media own goals, former player own goals...
This year Perth and Wellington have demonstrated the value of the salary cap. The tyranny of distance, an advantage when Perth outspent NSL teams for better squads and coaches, has been broken. The evening out factor of the cap, has brought the pressure of half the games involving massive travel to bear. But this year, improved playing styles and 'home fortresses' worked magic. It will be interesting to see Perth's owner follows through will a massive cut in the wages bill next year. If he does, I expect Perth to return to the also run category.
Group 3 - it is the club structure and direction
In the middle are Heart and Newcastle. Playing the style of CCM and Brisbane but club conflict taking their eyes off the ball. It will be interesting to see what happens in Newcastle next season. They have something, but... And Heart, clearly their coach wanted out at the start of the year, a new club whose marketing strategy was based on fantasy and didn't draw on the experiences of the A-League. Their next coach and, probably, a new partner could determine if they go on with it next year. Can they get both?
Gold Coast are in this group. But they are playing their last match today. They have trained up some great players for other teams next year.
| Club | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Central Coast Mariners FC | 25 | 13 | 6 | 6 | 37 | 23 | 14 | 45 |
| 2 | Brisbane Roar FC | 25 | 12 | 7 | 6 | 46 | 26 | 20 | 43 |
| 3 | Perth Glory FC | 26 | 13 | 4 | 9 | 40 | 32 | 8 | 43 |
| 4 | Wellington Phoenix FC | 25 | 12 | 4 | 9 | 33 | 27 | 6 | 40 |
| 5 | Melbourne Heart FC | 26 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 33 | 32 | 1 | 36 |
| 6 | Newcastle Jets FC | 25 | 10 | 5 | 10 | 35 | 36 | -1 | 35 |
| 7 | Sydney FC | 25 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 32 | 38 | -6 | 34 |
| 8 | Melbourne Victory FC | 26 | 5 | 11 | 10 | 32 | 43 | -11 | 26 |
| 9 | Adelaide United FC | 26 | 5 | 10 | 11 | 26 | 43 | -17 | 25 |
| 10 | Gold Coast United FC | 25 | 3 | 9 | 13 | 26 | 40 | -14 | 18 |
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Final derby for Gold Coast v Roar - 5:30pm Sunday 25 March
A match up that could have been so much more if Gold Coast hadn't boycotted the first derby and Gold Coast hadn't been so good - but not good enough in its first year. Gold Coast's 5-1 win 2 years ago probably finished the interest in the game. the sad reframe of 'at least we haven't lost to the Pheonix, at least we haven't lost 6-0' was redundant within days.
Regrettably, the bitterness of the Gold Coast campaign from its former coach downwards, has all been pyrrhic.
Regrettably, the bitterness of the Gold Coast campaign from its former coach downwards, has all been pyrrhic.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Gold Coast 3 smash Perth 0
Come on Roar. The big train trip next Sunday.
| Max Points at: | CCM | Brisbane | Wellington | Perth |
| 18-Mar-12 | 48 | 46 | 40 | 40 |
| 25-Mar-12 | 51 | 49 | 43 | 43 |
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Newcastle 1 v Brisbane 2, CCM 1 v Adelaide 0
Brisbane could pay a heavy price for poor finishing against Adelaide. CCM now favoured to win.
Brisbane - gee - doing it the hard way.
Should have beaten a hapless Newcastle defence 6 or 7 -1 including Henrique missing a penalty. Mitch showed him how to do it a bit later. Brisbane fielded a weakened defence - why hasn't Hingert started before now?
Unfortunately, Brisbane had to survive a few Jurman howlers - including not jumping for the Newcastle's set piece goal. That was where Faran stole the show by calling on his coach to drag Berisha (as if that was going to happen).
Faran's disappointing season continued, losing his nerve in a 1 on 1. At least Henrique had his roll from one post to the other (did it cross the line?). Berisha showed us how to do right foot behind the left foot kick - and miss wildly. Mitch also missed 2 one-on-one's but his were harder.
Mitch man of match by a nose from Theo who did a brilliant double save.
Given Brisbane's massive goal difference, Perth now cannot win. CCM must still win to make sure next week as Brisbane play last on the Sunday v Gold Coast.
Wow here we are Gold Coast's last ever game. Train ride anyone?
Brisbane - gee - doing it the hard way.
Should have beaten a hapless Newcastle defence 6 or 7 -1 including Henrique missing a penalty. Mitch showed him how to do it a bit later. Brisbane fielded a weakened defence - why hasn't Hingert started before now?
Unfortunately, Brisbane had to survive a few Jurman howlers - including not jumping for the Newcastle's set piece goal. That was where Faran stole the show by calling on his coach to drag Berisha (as if that was going to happen).
Faran's disappointing season continued, losing his nerve in a 1 on 1. At least Henrique had his roll from one post to the other (did it cross the line?). Berisha showed us how to do right foot behind the left foot kick - and miss wildly. Mitch also missed 2 one-on-one's but his were harder.
Mitch man of match by a nose from Theo who did a brilliant double save.
Given Brisbane's massive goal difference, Perth now cannot win. CCM must still win to make sure next week as Brisbane play last on the Sunday v Gold Coast.
Wow here we are Gold Coast's last ever game. Train ride anyone?
| Max Points at: | CCM | Brisbane | Wellington | Perth |
| 11-Mar-12 | 40 | |||
| 18-Mar-12 | 48 | 46 | 40 | 43 |
| 25-Mar-12 | 51 | 49 | 43 | 46 |
Friday, March 16, 2012
Victory 3 show how to completely smash Wellington 0
Wellington were not in this game and will better shooting from Archie Thompson this could have been 6-0. As it was Archie who set up all three goals - all magnificent.
Victory showed us why they are the most entertaining team to watch. But. Also why they, on average, perform so badly. Too many balls pushed too long with little chance of reward - just giving the ball away.
Great games all round including debut from 17 year old Davies - another Kewell?
Wellington is the first of the top 4 to be out of 1st place contention. But could play a wrecking game against CCM next week. Fingers crossed for Roar fans.
Victory showed us why they are the most entertaining team to watch. But. Also why they, on average, perform so badly. Too many balls pushed too long with little chance of reward - just giving the ball away.
Great games all round including debut from 17 year old Davies - another Kewell?
Wellington is the first of the top 4 to be out of 1st place contention. But could play a wrecking game against CCM next week. Fingers crossed for Roar fans.
| Max Points at: | CCM | Brisbane | Wellington | Perth |
| 11-Mar-12 | 45 | 43 | 40 | |
| 18-Mar-12 | 48 | 46 | 40 | 43 |
| 25-Mar-12 | 51 | 49 | 43 | 46 |
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Brisbane 1 v Adelaide 1 / Perth 1 v CCM 0
CCM and Brisbane will want to win next week to lock out Wellington and Perth.
Brisbane ripped off as A-League's top misses an obvious penalty.
Brisbane ripped off as A-League's top misses an obvious penalty.
| Max Points at: | CCM | Brisbane | Wellington | Perth |
| 11-Mar-12 | 45 | 43 | 40 | 40 |
| 18-Mar-12 | 48 | 46 | 43 | 43 |
| 25-Mar-12 | 51 | 49 | 46 | 46 |
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