FFA Season preview and player movements

[Arabmariner]

We will be well in this you mark my words

60% of the league will play "finals".

On that basis if we're not "well in".............

Melbourne
Brisbane
Sydney
Gold Coast
Perth
CCM
Adelaide
Newcastle
North Queensland
Wellington

Btw is there a tipping comp and a punters club thingy this year ? 

 

[Part_Timer]

how could wellington release "the mullet" karl dodd... disgrace

 

[scottmac]

1.  Perth
2.  Melbourne
3.  Gold Coast
4.  Sydney
5.  Central Coast
6.  Brisbane
7.  Adelaide
8.  Wellington
9.  Newcastle
10. North QLD

I think our squad looks the strongest its ever looked but our first eleven still lacks that extra bit of class the others have. In saying that, with still 2 to add, we will be strong all season no matter which 11 we put on the field and we will be hard to beat.

 

[fedelta]

how could wellington release "the mullet" karl dodd... disgrace

agreed
..cult hero

 

[midfielder]

I would love to be proven wrong, even though I can argue that the coming season will provide a stern test in reversing downward momentum. When you've not won since the end of last year, and had a poor ACL campaign to boot, how does that bode coming into a new season with tougher competition?

DV I just posted this in the squad thread

Could this work I recall reading that Huke  could play in central defense and as a defensive Mid If we sign Michael McGlinchey and given we have Nicky Travis Could we have Huke & Doig as our central defenders and Travis & McGinchey in centre mid with Wilko as a right back

Meaning the central spine of the side is all new ...

DV ... Here is my question for you we have signed the above 3 and trialling the 4th... these players who on paper are A-League standard or higher .. I also think that Huke has the potential to be a Halroo .... add the return of Elrich ... but to me what is reassuring is we have trialled a lot of players and only signed those LM thinks capable of playing at A-League level ...

Hold the faith ... my reading of the tea leafs is LM is on trail for his role as coach and he is signing and creating a team that can win... we have always lacked a hard man ... Nicky Travis & Doig are said to be in this mold...

I think you very much under rate LM ... he is a much better coach than many of his critics think (maybe he is the wrong race as Fozza said on TWG last weekend ...we have to get rid of the British influence in our game)


Booking my grand final ticket soon... BTW whats the go if we are first into the grand final can we play at Blue Tongue

 

[Kareem]

hmmmm
tossing up between MV + GC...

1. MV
2. Gold coast
3. Roar
4. Adelaide
5. Mariners
6. Perth
7. Sydney
8. Jets
9. phoenix
10. NQ

I'm thinking top 3 is pretty obvious IMO
next 4 = same
bttom 3 pretty obvious as well IMHO

 

[dru]

I'll let you all know around the 14th of February!

I'm just glad that the real Football is just around the corner, hmm away trips can't wait.

 

[fedelta]

don't think adelaide is that obvious..

 

[UnitedsNo9]

No doubt about it... Central Coast will win silverware this year. We will be pushing for the plate till the very last round.
Other teams are looking good and it will be a great year for football.
Don't kid yourselves we have a strong team, always have.
We have the depth this year to get us over the line... Lots of competition for places will keep everyone on their toes and having to earn a start.
And those times through the season where injuries occur our 2nd 11 is looking good too.

The Central Coast can and has played beautiful football.

Strikepower: Dylan, Matty, Nik (Has had it tough with the drs, let him earn your respect this year, he'll only be on the pitch if he earns it) Don't be surprised when our midfield chips in for goals, with: Hutcho scoring at least 2 screamers this seaon; Kwasnik will always be on the board; Travis, Caceres, McGlinchey, Huke, maybe even Elrich.

Pedj: Offensive set pieces are covered unless you've been living under a rock

Defence: Wilko is a terrific defender and is exceptional when accompanied well as Doig will do this season. Porter and Heff are great wingbacks, know how to get forward and can put balls in. With Doig yelling at them to stand up defensively as well as solid central midfield who can screen and get forward, Heff and porter will be great this year.

From all accounts this pre-season, it will be Dannys year. I think we all know it!!

If I had to pick an A-league team to represent me this year it would be these boys, I love them because they fight for the coast, and they need us.

2nd through 10th i dont give a hahn light because we can take any of them on in the finals...

FIRE UP, 2 Weeks!!!!!!!    verhead: verhead:

 

[bulldogmariner]

Ahmed and Adrian struggling to get first team football.

Because they are lazy and ain't team players

4th/5th is definitely achieveable

I will disagree that they are not team players as they have a good influence on the squad. But agree that they can be lazy hence why LM gave them a public spray after game against Gold Coast.
Starting Midfield if all fit and new signings happen-

      Travis - Bojic- Hutchinson
                McGlinchey

Hence Ahmed and Adrian on bench to add impact. Thats probably Adrian's best role for team at the moment as well.

 

[Marquee]

       Travis - Bojic- Hutchinson
                McGlinchey

I like the look of that midfield. Time will tell if Travis and McGlinchey will suit but I'm confident they will.

I expect that line of 3 (Travis, Bojic, Hutch) will be quite compact and not have the width of a standard 442. This will help the defense as players are available to press the ball and not throw the shape. Last year we only had Hutch to perform this duty (post Jedi) and once he got beaten our back four were exposed. It will also give Heff and Porter room to overlap. Could be a problem against a wide team like Roar though.

 

[David Votoupal]

One thing for sure, Simon will go close to the Golden Boot, or possibly winning it.

 

[FFC Mariner]

How many rounds in before SFC's injury/form/suspensions turns them from title favourites to "crisis club"

The traditional hype is greater than normal this season and whilst I think they will be strong and competitive , I still sense they are in a rebuilding phase until at least next season

 

[bulldogmariner]

One thing for sure, Simon will go close to the Golden Boot, or possibly winning it.

Maybe as he will score a lot of goals and will be dominate in the Mariners squad.
When you look at other players in line they might take goals off each other eg.
Melbourne- Thompson, Fabiano and Allsopp
Gold Coast- Smeltz and Porter
Brisbane- Van Dijk, Miller and Reinaldo
Sydney- Aloisi and Brosque
Perth- Sterjovski, Jelic and Dadi
Wellington- Greenarce and Ifill
Adelaide- Christiano and Owusu

On the other hand strikers carrying there clubs-
Newcastle- Petrovski
North Qld - Fowler

 

[bulldogmariner]

How many rounds in before SFC's injury/form/suspensions turns them from title favourites to "crisis club"

The traditional hype is greater than normal this season and whilst I think they will be strong and competitive , I still sense they are in a rebuilding phase until at least next season

Round 3 after the local derby at Central Coast.