A-League Thread

[Blaze]

Because if not he has no hope of any contract at all.

Oh right. Yeah he is going to USA first anyway I think (depending on the Blackburn trial). I think he wants to follow a similar path to Ryan Nelson.

 

[Cloete]

Who?

A team from where exactly?

Sounds more like a drink than a Football side.

Costa Rica, beat all the MLS and Mexican champions in qualifying for it.

 

[marc71178]

Oh, well I take it all back.

That clearly shows that 5th place in a 6 team Tournament was indeed worth talking about (!)

 

[Craig]

Our FA rules, unless he's played 75% of full NZ internationals over the last 2 years he wouldn't get a work permit. If he's got a UK or EU passport he can play regardless.

However, for a stupid reason, even if he does met the requirements, because NZ's crap rating is outside of that number (70), he isn't a cert to get a WP. Blackburn had to appeal to give Ryan Nelson a three year contract, after they were able to prove he is a regular member of their starting line-up (IIRC he has worn the captain's armband on a few occasions).

Because previously he was on a 18 month working holiday deal.

A similar thing happened with Liverpool when they wanted to sign Mark Gonzalez, because Chile were ranked 72. Despite the fact Liverpool spent a great deal of money scouting him out.

 

[Blaze]

So... A League final? I am watching it, is anyone else?

 

[chaminda_00]

Yeah come on Sydney

 

[alternative]

Good win by Sydney FC.. Corica played quite well... although Sydney FC looked rusty in the first half..

 

[Craig]

42,000 odd people that was the attendance for the final?

I don't care what Marc say's about this league (which he has never seen), nobody has ever said it was the greatest league on earth (it has been compared to the French 2nd Division by somebody who has coached them towards World Cup success), but you can't dispute it's success.

 

[Cloete]

Yeah was a good game. I watched of course.

The A-League has certainly been a big success! Now if a few clubs can bring in some big players and a few big name aussies who are getting on a bit come home, then it should definitely be very well supported next year. The only thing that really needs to happen is for the Knights to become competitive and break into the NZ market, I think it should happen though.

Anyway well done Sydney!

 

[Blewy]

I believe there are a few clubs who are already close to deals with high profile players for next season... It was quite clear this season that all clubs apart from Sydney were not willing to gamble on a big signing for being afraid the league would flop...

I expect in the next few seasons with some smart marketing the 'A' League could really become a very strong league...

I fully expect Sydney to average 25000 at their home games next season which is up there with alot of teams in the Championship...

 

[Simon]

i agree with craig, sure the standard isnt anywhere near as good as a top flight european league, but its improving and the sport has become marketable in the country...
i presume its only going to grow in profile after the world cup, imo it was essential that Sydney FC won the competition in the first season, they were the "glamour" club and had the names that the fans knew, the season was a great success and i dont care if Yorke and Littbarksi return or not the sport is now alive and kicking in Australia...

 

[Craig]

Yeah was a good game. I watched of course.

The A-League has certainly been a big success! Now if a few clubs can bring in some big players and a few big name aussies who are getting on a bit come home, then it should definitely be very well supported next year. The only thing that really needs to happen is for the Knights to become competitive and break into the NZ market, I think it should happen though.

Anyway well done Sydney!

Here's a start - get rid of the rule with the maximum of 20 players per squads. 25 IMO would be ideal - it gives the coaches more options and depth, although the salary cap will need to be raised eventually.

 

[Simon]

yeh 20 is far too few...

 

[chaminda_00]

Wish List for Aussie to comeback next season:

Mark Viduka
Josip Skoko
Clayton Zane
Paul Agostino
Stephen Laybutt
Paul Okon
Craig Moore
Tony Popovic
Frank Juric
Tony Vidmar
John Alosi
Scott Chipperfield
Mile Sterjovski
Micheal Petkovic
Max Veri

How many if any do you think will comeback?

 

[Cloete]

Wish List for Aussie to comeback next season:

Mark Vidulka
Josip Skoko
Clayton Zane
Paul Agostino
Stephen Laybutt
Paul Okon
Craig Moore
Tony Popovic
Frank Juric
Tony Vidmar
John Alosi
Scott Chipperfield
Mile Sterjovski
Micheal Petkovic
Max Veri

How many if any do you think will comeback?

I think we could do without Max Veri TBH, I don't even know who he is (must be a midfielder!) Same with that Vidulka character.

I can see Agostino, Aloisi, Okon, Juric, Laybutt, Petkovic and Sterjovski coming home.

Tell you what whoever gets Sterjovski is gonna be lucky, I've always rated him very highly. I'm not sure how much game time Zane's getting but he's not all that old is he (At the most 30-31)?

 

[chaminda_00]

I'm not sure how much game time Zane's getting but he's not all that old is he (At the most 30-31)?

Zane been injured and therefore in and out of team. I also remember reading somewhere that his contact got terminated in Belgium. So you would think he would be interested in coming back to Australia to re-build his career.

 

[vic_orthdox]

Zane was a really good player in FIFA WC 2002. "

That is all.

 

[Blewy]

Here's a start - get rid of the rule with the maximum of 20 players per squads. 25 IMO would be ideal - it gives the coaches more options and depth, although the salary cap will need to be raised eventually.

Squads need to be increased, there needs to be a youth league, somewhere teams can get players from if they do strike injury troubles...

Even though i have Fox i think they need to try and sell off at least a highlights show to a main stream network (ie. 7, 9 or 10) just to get the exposure out there a bit more...

With Dwight Yorke pretty much confirming he will complete the 2nd year of his 2 year i think a couple of the other clubs need to look to get 1 or 2 more BIG names out to get interest up a little more...

Of the other Aussies coming home, id be very surprised if Viduka and Aloisi come home yet.. John is scoring a bagful of goals in Spain atm and im expecting him to have a big world cup, which would lead to a new contract somewhere else... IMO Viduka isnt ready to come home, he still has a bit of unfinished business overseas and will probably wait 1 or 2 more years...

Okon will almost certainly come home...

 

[Cloete]

Just noticed this article.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/football...es-20m-fox-deal/2006/03/05/1141493548211.html

Talk about an interesting read...

 

[chaminda_00]

Interesting read about from the Roar crap, i fell asleep at the end.

I read that stuff about the TV deal, in the paper a couple days ago. I also heard that channel nine, were interested in the TV rights, as were SBS once their deal with the national team is over.