Central Coast vs Wellington

[Pieman]

I see Baird has the unlucky squad number of 13. Hopefully he can break the hoodoo as most number 13's we've had have been disappointing.

 

[Dutch Wives]

I want another dig at the ACL above all.

Thats pretty much why im hoping we get into 2nd by the end of season. If we don't lift the toilet seat then at least if Brisbane do, we're back into Asia.

 

[adz]

I see Baird has the unlucky squad number of 13. Hopefully he can break the hoodoo as most number 13's we've had have been disappointing.

I thought it was just Vidmar but just had a quick look and O'Grady and Woodruffe also wore 13 for the Mariners

 

[kevrenor]

FFS, that Socceroo legend, Tony Vidmar , who marshalled our defence into the Premiership, and GF - played one poor game for us in the GF and he's a hoodoo!

Get over it!

 

[pjennings]

Everyone is saying Brisbane have claimed 1st place already.

But im not so sure we have 3 games in hand and if we win them all we will be sitting 6 points behind them. And if we beat the on wednesday that cuts in to 3 points lead.

Maybe its wishful thinking but we might still be in with a chance to claim top spot.

I know that we would have to win every game and that is a huge ask. However, the other side to me is that I actually think that some of Brisbane's results hide the fact that they are not playing as well now as they were in November. They had a small win against a so-so Sydney, and didn't look that convincing against an injury-ravaged Adelaide.

If they get 6 points in their next two games - I think it will be all over (including a game against us). If however, we get 6 points and they get 3 or less - then it's game on.

 

[dibo]

FFS, that Socceroo legend, Tony Vidmar , who marshalled our defence into the Premiership, and GF - played one poor game for us in the GF and he's a hoodoo!

Get over it!

QFT

 

[Deej]

I remember Vidmar getting ripped apart by Adelaide I think it was and his lack of pace saw 2 poor fouls and a red card, make that 2 games!

Personally I feel your marquee player needs to stand up in a GF not have 1 of his worst games......just an opinion of course!

 

[universalmind]

Thats pretty much why im hoping we get into 2nd by the end of season. If we don't lift the toilet seat then at least if Brisbane do, we're back into Asia.

Not quite. we still need to make the GF along with Brisbane (presuming they take out the premiership).
1st spot goes to premiers
2nd to Champions
If Champions = premiers then its the losing grand finalist. (e.g. Melbourne last year)

So in essence, we could finish 6th in the regular season and still qualify for Asia if we make the GF.

 

[Forum Phoenix]

Not quite. we still need to make the GF along with Brisbane (presuming they take out the premiership).
1st spot goes to premiers
2nd to Champions
If Champions = premiers then its the losing grand finalist. (e.g. Melbourne last year)

So in essence, we could finish 6th in the regular season and still qualify for Asia if we make the GF.

I thought that was how it how it worked... But ridiculous that someone like Heart can finish in 6th, but fluke through to the GF and get to go to the ACL. 6 in the finals is an absolute joke to be honest - but I do understand why the FFA decided to do it.

BUT, how you could finish 6th and get one of two coveted ACL spots is just beyond me. It should be as Oh dae su had it. Or really it should probably be the two teams who finish 1st and 2nd on the table.

Anyhow, finishing second gives us two bites at getting into the GF and hopefully the ACL at least - and boy, I'm with Dibo, an ACL spot is all I've been able to think about. I think it would be an entirely different kettle of fish under Arnie.

As to Finishing first... mmm... I think we can come home strong - but I really don't see the Roar falling over - There form has dipped, and the draw with Glory helps, but Enrique back for them is significant. And if we can beat them and win our other games, it is possible...

But FIRST thing FIRST. We have an inform kiwi outfit to do over first.

Come on lads, play it sharp, fast and attacking, and we'll get over the top of them.

 

[timmers]

I think I read somewhere that the AFC has allocated our two ACL spots as one from a league competition and and one from a cup competition. (With the finals series being our 'cup competition').

 

[universalmind]

That is correct.

I'm not so keen to see us back in Asia quite so soon. Our last experience really damaged the club.
I dont know many of the specific's, but i'm pretty sure its rather costly to compete (logistics, hosting away teams, extra player costs etc).

I'd rather spend the money on our youth development goals until we can start producing the talent that would allow us to not only compete, but conquer Asia in a sustainable way.

Anyway back to Wellington. 2-0 to us. 8,932 fans. (McBreen, and Baird of the bench).

 

[Bex]

@ UniveralMind...my first reaction is that I'm with you on that one because I think the money would be better spent strengthing our team and infrastructure for the future.

However, I believe our previous ACL Champions League campaign was marred by the loss of some key players at the worst time. Then there was a complete lack of action to replace them with any sort of quality. If we could keep the current side together and continue improving, then I don't see why we couldn't be successful in an ACL campaign. I would love to see that. So there is the dilemna....

 

[nero]

Lets say we qualify for the ACL this season. Then most of the top players contract will be up for renewal just before we start the ACL campaign. So we may have the same problem as last time with players moving on.

 

[Blair]

The problem i think is the whole year gap between when you get your place and when you actually play a ACL game u loose alot of player n a year.

 

[Forum Phoenix]

Nero, yes but the promise of going into the Asian/international shop window is a strong recruitment lure which I'm sure Arnie would wield for our considerable benefit in new and extended signings.

On the money side people... Yes we could lose money, but there is also the possibility we could actually make some money out of it too. Not to mention the other potential benefits of brand etc...

Also with the COE and all that is happening off the pitch we seem to be doing very well in development regards. And we just scored ten mill in funding that we weren't banking on getting. I'm happy with all that. So personally I'd be more than happy to see some serious ambition going into our football achievements. It's been great punching beyond our weight all these years... But I'm sick of being the perennial under dogs, and want to really stand up and be counted in this league. And kicking some ass in Asia would be a fantastic way to do it.

 

[Kareem]

its bloody annoying.
Melbourne look to be doing alright, but Sydney are going to be simply an embarrassment in the AFC!
I wish Brisbane could take their place right now. I would be honoured to have them represent us on behalf of Australia with their brand of foobtall.
Sydney are going to just make us look crap!
If we do get in...we may just have a good squad in a years time.
By the look of things we are only going to strengthen from here! (Hopefully)

 

[midfielder]

ACL ... guys ... talk abot counting your chickens before they hatch...

Anyhow with the Fold going down last night and hopefully MV win today over the inbreds we will be in a strong third position with for us anyway only six games to go....

 

[dibo]

We're talking about what we should aspire to achieve this year. That's not unreasonable.

 

[Deej]

--------------Ryan
Pedj-----Dutchy-----Wilks------Rose
------------Griffiths
--WeeMac--------------Bozanic
------------Perez
-------McBreen----Simon

 

[Redshirt]

Looks like a fairly good side to hopefully show up a Wellington outfit trying to find form away from home...

Amini off the bench V Rojas will be a great battle