But not eating it - it was only one (1) touch.
But I did quite like Archie's outside of the foot touch to Tommy P (he's the only Tommy, but I like calling him Tommy P - perhaps inherited from Wayne?) who then crossed it for Kruse.
So while Archie did annoy me somewhat, I'll ease up on him. For now.
It would be very unlike me if I didn't complain about the match - I wouldn't say that Melbourne played well but that Perth assisted with it's lack of display. In the first half, Hernandez managed to get a break on the Perth defense. Hernandez. How?!??!??! It also happened in the second half when he (finally) scored, though I do think he was offside at the time, so that wasn't as much as a miraculous feat.
The other thing that irritated me was the number of opportunities that Carlos wasted. However, he scores once and the crowd appears to forgive him. #@$%@*!!!!!!!
To further add to my woes, I think I am really losing whatever interest I had in the A-League. Seriously, I'm struggling.
*No swear word in particular, just feeling frustrated by a crowd that likes goals rather than football.
Showing posts with label HAL. Show all posts
Showing posts with label HAL. Show all posts
Monday, January 18, 2010
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Out with the old, in with the new
Further to my Charlie Miller musings last week, we now have Moore to add (hee hee, although the pun was not intentional). Perhaps even Reddy had to go for the same reason!
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Fan Letters
It's been a while since I've posted some fan letters - I checked my older ones, I did have to laugh at myself when re-reading the one to Newcastle about how to waste time. But today, something a little more serious. Not that time wasting isn't serious, but...
Dear Mr Pasfield
Your yelling is quite annoying - it's high-pitched, panicky and there's an awful lot of it.
No wonder your defenders don't listen to you! Their eardrums must've burst by now.
If not, perhaps they've taken a preventative measure. So the lesson here is too much yelling and they don't want to listen to you. A bit like Ben Kennedy has experienced. Have a chat to him about it - but please don't yell during this conversation.
Although your yell does provide an endless source of amusement when one tries to mimic it.
Regards
- Cecilia
Your biggest yell mimic (and yes, I'm annoying too).
Dear Mr Langerak
If you were a little older I would have undoubtedly already written to you by now - you're such a cheeky little cutie. :) Add your baby face and you really seem illegal.
However, cheekiness and cuteness aside, please learn how to use your body properly. I'm not convinced that that ball you were "shielding" from Brockie was actually out. I suspect that you were in punching distance of the assistant referee and we all know that you really are all limbs. You're kinda like a daddy long legs, but with only four legs. Although two are arms.
So, at training this week, try and have a chat to Carlos. I say try, because I have no idea if he actually speaks English yet. Try playing Charades if the talking thing fails. Though with your long limbs, he may mistake you for a John Cleese/Frank Woodly type and laugh himself silly.
Why Carlos? He is very good at using his (ample) body for shielding and protecting the ball. Get him to show you how he uses his body to shield the ball. It mainly involves sticking your arse out and creating space.
If Carlos offers to take the training further, please be careful. He does have an ample body, and we know he loves chicken, La Ionica chicken. So if you end up at his place for dinner, stick to the breast.
You don't need a big arse to stick it out and create space. I wouldn't want that cute little face of yours ruined by excess fats.
Regards
- Cecilia
Your biggest "Awwwwwwwww he's so cute!" gusher.
Dear Mr Vargas
I hate deflections. Please stop trying to do too much so that you don't make proper conduct and the ball follows some random trajectory that even Charlie Eppes couldn't figure out - and he's good at making sense of nothing. I've seen him on TV, so it must be true.
You're also quite slow and a poor marker. No wonder Daal got the better of you. Not to mention previous North Queensland attacks seem to have gotten through due to your inability to mark and/or read the game. Sure sure, the goal happened because of a wayward Leijer pass (intentional, so Charlie might have been able to calculate it), but Daal needed to be better marked.
Also, please don't collect silly yellow cards. The only reason one should collect one is when you've made a serious tackle. Not because you feel like arguing. He's the ref. He has cards. He'll always win. Unless it's Delovski - he seems a bit soft on the cards.
Regards
- Cecilia
A paid-up Melbourne Victory member for quite a few years now.
Dear Mr Pasfield
Your yelling is quite annoying - it's high-pitched, panicky and there's an awful lot of it.
No wonder your defenders don't listen to you! Their eardrums must've burst by now.
If not, perhaps they've taken a preventative measure. So the lesson here is too much yelling and they don't want to listen to you. A bit like Ben Kennedy has experienced. Have a chat to him about it - but please don't yell during this conversation.
Although your yell does provide an endless source of amusement when one tries to mimic it.
Regards
- Cecilia
Your biggest yell mimic (and yes, I'm annoying too).
Dear Mr Langerak
If you were a little older I would have undoubtedly already written to you by now - you're such a cheeky little cutie. :) Add your baby face and you really seem illegal.
However, cheekiness and cuteness aside, please learn how to use your body properly. I'm not convinced that that ball you were "shielding" from Brockie was actually out. I suspect that you were in punching distance of the assistant referee and we all know that you really are all limbs. You're kinda like a daddy long legs, but with only four legs. Although two are arms.
So, at training this week, try and have a chat to Carlos. I say try, because I have no idea if he actually speaks English yet. Try playing Charades if the talking thing fails. Though with your long limbs, he may mistake you for a John Cleese/Frank Woodly type and laugh himself silly.
Why Carlos? He is very good at using his (ample) body for shielding and protecting the ball. Get him to show you how he uses his body to shield the ball. It mainly involves sticking your arse out and creating space.
If Carlos offers to take the training further, please be careful. He does have an ample body, and we know he loves chicken, La Ionica chicken. So if you end up at his place for dinner, stick to the breast.
You don't need a big arse to stick it out and create space. I wouldn't want that cute little face of yours ruined by excess fats.
Regards
- Cecilia
Your biggest "Awwwwwwwww he's so cute!" gusher.
Dear Mr Vargas
I hate deflections. Please stop trying to do too much so that you don't make proper conduct and the ball follows some random trajectory that even Charlie Eppes couldn't figure out - and he's good at making sense of nothing. I've seen him on TV, so it must be true.
You're also quite slow and a poor marker. No wonder Daal got the better of you. Not to mention previous North Queensland attacks seem to have gotten through due to your inability to mark and/or read the game. Sure sure, the goal happened because of a wayward Leijer pass (intentional, so Charlie might have been able to calculate it), but Daal needed to be better marked.
Also, please don't collect silly yellow cards. The only reason one should collect one is when you've made a serious tackle. Not because you feel like arguing. He's the ref. He has cards. He'll always win. Unless it's Delovski - he seems a bit soft on the cards.
Regards
- Cecilia
A paid-up Melbourne Victory member for quite a few years now.
Christmas/New Year holidays
My work office has been closed from December 24 and will reopen on January 11. That's a lot of free time - and while I have much to work on (planning the move) it's too early to start working on it, as nothing really happens until February. It's not even the New Year yet!
The A-League hasn't been all that enticing this season, I'm still wondering how Brisbane was so successful in leaving the league's highest scorer unmarked! It's not as if they can blame Farina now!
Though I did love how Charlie's team won. Hee hee - take that Postekos! :) I wonder if Charlie's comradeship with the younger players was why Postekos needed him gone - after all, Postekos has been a youth coach lately and perhaps he wasn't keen on someone older undermining his authority...
Hmm... Victory are playing tonight - I suppose that's a good way of ensuring that my second layer of nail polish. Perhaps I'll add a photo of it later this evening as Google Image is of no assistance!
The A-League hasn't been all that enticing this season, I'm still wondering how Brisbane was so successful in leaving the league's highest scorer unmarked! It's not as if they can blame Farina now!
Though I did love how Charlie's team won. Hee hee - take that Postekos! :) I wonder if Charlie's comradeship with the younger players was why Postekos needed him gone - after all, Postekos has been a youth coach lately and perhaps he wasn't keen on someone older undermining his authority...
Hmm... Victory are playing tonight - I suppose that's a good way of ensuring that my second layer of nail polish. Perhaps I'll add a photo of it later this evening as Google Image is of no assistance!
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Internal injuries?
I continue to wonder if Glen Moss not playing was due to friction between himself and Kevin Muscat. Muscat, as captain and assistant coach, appears to have enormous influence on the team - the Victory defence sometimes gets into serious problems because it seems like they MUST pass the ball to him!
Not being able to communicate well with your defence, means that they can't work for you and you can't work for them. So I can't say that Moss is solely responsible for that 4-0 loss to Central Coast, but I don't think he should be made the scapegoat either.
Not being able to communicate well with your defence, means that they can't work for you and you can't work for them. So I can't say that Moss is solely responsible for that 4-0 loss to Central Coast, but I don't think he should be made the scapegoat either.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
So who still hates Archie Thompson?
This was shouted out by a man who sits one row behind me on my left after Thompson had scored his second goal.
He's quite aware of the group I sit amongst that is unhappy with Thompson as a player and as the marquee - someone will semi-regularly yell out, "Archie! You're shit!"
Reading the paper and watching highlights of yesterday's match, it's somewhat (ok, very) frustrating that Thompson is portrayed as a player who is deserving of being considered for the Socceroos squad. The Australian public seem to think that a player who scores a couple of goals in a match is a good player. They fail to realise that Thompson is lazy and needs the whole team to play for him in order for him to be effective.
Gone is Danny Allsopp who worked all over the field – patching up the gaps that occurred in the midfield in defence, gaps which have become more apparent this season. Without Allsopp there is no longer a hard-working, self-sacrificing player in the Victory attack who was the perfect alternative to the generally idle and selfish player that Thompson is.
The number of times that Thompson has been offside this year has been ridiculous. I suspect that if there was a statistic that totalled the distance that each player was offside, Thompson would have it in the bag with the most metres. That he’s rarely slightly offside is an indication him not working for the team – he’s out of play and he’s of no use to the team. Sometimes the ball will head out in his off-side direction. Instead of letting the ball go for a throw-in deeep in the opposition defence, Thompson chooses to become involved in the play – giving the opposition a free-kick further up the field than if he had chosen to let it go.
Do you really want such a “player” in your national team?
So he scored a couple of goals last night. Whoop-de-doo. Those goals were a credit to Ward and Kruse – the quality of those passes to Thompson was outstanding. As Fox Sports news were only replaying Thompson’s goals I had a chance to appreciate those passes. They were perfect.
But the media doesn’t seem to recognise the quality of the pass. It happens often that the goal-scorer is the celebrated one. Unfortunately in this case, Thompson is the one being celebrated – a player who does not deserve to be in the national team, but with the media coverage causes the public to believe that he belongs in the national team! A preposterous idea!
The worst thing is that football is still a misunderstood sport here in Australia. So much of the focus is on scoring goals. It's a mindset that will take a long time to change, having had so many decades of AFL as the primary sport - a sport that is high scoring and where 'booting' the ball up the field is OK. Football is a different kind of sport. The Australian public will need to recognise that it's not AFL on a square pitch, and that there is much more to being a footballer than scoring goals that are served up on a silver plate.
He's quite aware of the group I sit amongst that is unhappy with Thompson as a player and as the marquee - someone will semi-regularly yell out, "Archie! You're shit!"
Reading the paper and watching highlights of yesterday's match, it's somewhat (ok, very) frustrating that Thompson is portrayed as a player who is deserving of being considered for the Socceroos squad. The Australian public seem to think that a player who scores a couple of goals in a match is a good player. They fail to realise that Thompson is lazy and needs the whole team to play for him in order for him to be effective.
Gone is Danny Allsopp who worked all over the field – patching up the gaps that occurred in the midfield in defence, gaps which have become more apparent this season. Without Allsopp there is no longer a hard-working, self-sacrificing player in the Victory attack who was the perfect alternative to the generally idle and selfish player that Thompson is.
The number of times that Thompson has been offside this year has been ridiculous. I suspect that if there was a statistic that totalled the distance that each player was offside, Thompson would have it in the bag with the most metres. That he’s rarely slightly offside is an indication him not working for the team – he’s out of play and he’s of no use to the team. Sometimes the ball will head out in his off-side direction. Instead of letting the ball go for a throw-in deeep in the opposition defence, Thompson chooses to become involved in the play – giving the opposition a free-kick further up the field than if he had chosen to let it go.
Do you really want such a “player” in your national team?
So he scored a couple of goals last night. Whoop-de-doo. Those goals were a credit to Ward and Kruse – the quality of those passes to Thompson was outstanding. As Fox Sports news were only replaying Thompson’s goals I had a chance to appreciate those passes. They were perfect.
But the media doesn’t seem to recognise the quality of the pass. It happens often that the goal-scorer is the celebrated one. Unfortunately in this case, Thompson is the one being celebrated – a player who does not deserve to be in the national team, but with the media coverage causes the public to believe that he belongs in the national team! A preposterous idea!
The worst thing is that football is still a misunderstood sport here in Australia. So much of the focus is on scoring goals. It's a mindset that will take a long time to change, having had so many decades of AFL as the primary sport - a sport that is high scoring and where 'booting' the ball up the field is OK. Football is a different kind of sport. The Australian public will need to recognise that it's not AFL on a square pitch, and that there is much more to being a footballer than scoring goals that are served up on a silver plate.
Sunday, November 01, 2009
You seem kinda familiar - have we met before?
Oh, you're my blog! I knew that we had met before.
September, October. Two whole months and I haven't done anything here.
Let's face it - the A-League has turned into complete crap this year. I think it was always crap, but this year definitely blows.
And so I have neglected my blog. What's there to write about? I can't pretend that it's a great game - it's not, and it irritates me that the Fox Sports commentators aren't more honest with what they see. But I suppose they can't say it's a shit game - after all they want people to be watching it.
I still attend MV matches, but I can't wait for the second Melbourne team to come along so I can cancel my MV membership without feeling like I'm abandoning the sport.
September, October. Two whole months and I haven't done anything here.
Let's face it - the A-League has turned into complete crap this year. I think it was always crap, but this year definitely blows.
And so I have neglected my blog. What's there to write about? I can't pretend that it's a great game - it's not, and it irritates me that the Fox Sports commentators aren't more honest with what they see. But I suppose they can't say it's a shit game - after all they want people to be watching it.
I still attend MV matches, but I can't wait for the second Melbourne team to come along so I can cancel my MV membership without feeling like I'm abandoning the sport.
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Long time between drinks
Sorry, I know. But spending all day at work bored behind a computer followed by coming home to sit behind a computer to do other work (which I enjoy but don't get paid for) means I don't really want to continue sitting behind it!
Anyway, I may have found a home for my coaching exploits this year - and they seem keen to let me have a go at goalkeeping coaching, so I'm looking forward to that. :) I'll try and keep the updates on that front coming, as we all know how well Melbourne Victory did on the weekend (even though I missed half of the match due to going out for dinner...)
Anyway, I may have found a home for my coaching exploits this year - and they seem keen to let me have a go at goalkeeping coaching, so I'm looking forward to that. :) I'll try and keep the updates on that front coming, as we all know how well Melbourne Victory did on the weekend (even though I missed half of the match due to going out for dinner...)
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Dear Melbourne Hearts, or whatever you're going to be called
Try and ensure that you have an iridescent playing strip. One colour needs to be whatever fits with your logo (i.e. what the FFA assigns to you) and other needs to be sky blue.
When one of your players swears at the ref, make sure your player has positioned his shirt so that it looks sky-blue to the referee and television crew. While your player will still be sent off, he will only cop a one-week ban (as per Sydney's McFlynn who was wearing white and sky-blue) as opposed to a two-week ban (as per Melbourne's Archie Thompson who did not have any sky-blue on him at the time of the incident).
Warmest regards
Cecilia
When one of your players swears at the ref, make sure your player has positioned his shirt so that it looks sky-blue to the referee and television crew. While your player will still be sent off, he will only cop a one-week ban (as per Sydney's McFlynn who was wearing white and sky-blue) as opposed to a two-week ban (as per Melbourne's Archie Thompson who did not have any sky-blue on him at the time of the incident).
Warmest regards
Cecilia
Saturday, November 01, 2008
A special double post for the weekend
Stuart Musialik: CLICK HERE. (You'll need sound.)
Oh there's nothing quite like being back on top of the league after Sydney had a 3-0 lead.
Unfortunately I'll be missing the Central Coast boys when they're down in Melbourne next as I'll be at my final year dinner. Shame as I do like watching them play - I suppose I'll have to make sure we end up somewhere with Fox Sport... oh hold on... I am helping organise the night...
On a more serious note, McKinna, please sort out the defence. The first two Sydney goals came from mirrored mistakes. Yes, the marking was goal-side, but the defender in both instances was not inside the attacker, so it wasn't that heard to go around. Doesn't help that Vuko was off his line... and could some team PLEASE realise that the lay-the-ball-off-for-someone-to-run-on-and-slam-it-in is becoming a Sydney trademark? Sure, it wasn't Santalab this week, but that McFlynn did it means... CLOSE THE BALL DOWN!
And Matt Simon - gush, gush, gush. He'll never make it on the swoon list, but gush, gush, gush.
Oh there's nothing quite like being back on top of the league after Sydney had a 3-0 lead.
Unfortunately I'll be missing the Central Coast boys when they're down in Melbourne next as I'll be at my final year dinner. Shame as I do like watching them play - I suppose I'll have to make sure we end up somewhere with Fox Sport... oh hold on... I am helping organise the night...
On a more serious note, McKinna, please sort out the defence. The first two Sydney goals came from mirrored mistakes. Yes, the marking was goal-side, but the defender in both instances was not inside the attacker, so it wasn't that heard to go around. Doesn't help that Vuko was off his line... and could some team PLEASE realise that the lay-the-ball-off-for-someone-to-run-on-and-slam-it-in is becoming a Sydney trademark? Sure, it wasn't Santalab this week, but that McFlynn did it means... CLOSE THE BALL DOWN!
And Matt Simon - gush, gush, gush. He'll never make it on the swoon list, but gush, gush, gush.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Just keep coming back again... and again.
And I'm not just referring to Melbourne... though there is no better feeling than being screwed over by a referee and diving twice, falling behind twice, and then leaving with all the points.
I've (almost*) finished uni now, so Girl's Guide is back.
And I was looking forward to Archie telling Breeze that he was a c#$t... after all, as a spectator what could the FFA really do?
*One more thing to go, but in a few weeks, so I'm quite finished.
I've (almost*) finished uni now, so Girl's Guide is back.
And I was looking forward to Archie telling Breeze that he was a c#$t... after all, as a spectator what could the FFA really do?
*One more thing to go, but in a few weeks, so I'm quite finished.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Random commentary
I actually missed my first home match of the A-League ever on the weekend - that's right, of all the matches to miss it was against Sydney! Anyway, I am due to get my life back on Thursday once I hand in an assignment that I haven't even started (I have a good excuse, y'know). Of course I did waste two whole days last week celebrating the end of a subject... that it was the same subject that was being celebrated is irrelevant.
Anyway, so the W-League kicked off on the weekend... aside from the poor quality of the game (one of the reasons why I cannot easily watch the women's game) I major gripe is the shorts. Seriously, I would hardly consider them football shorts! Very much reminds me of one of my first posts!
Note that while I get my life back on Thursday I may not start writing immediately. Could take me a while to get my sarcastic writing style back... meanwhile here's another piece of FFA gold.
Anyway, so the W-League kicked off on the weekend... aside from the poor quality of the game (one of the reasons why I cannot easily watch the women's game) I major gripe is the shorts. Seriously, I would hardly consider them football shorts! Very much reminds me of one of my first posts!
Note that while I get my life back on Thursday I may not start writing immediately. Could take me a while to get my sarcastic writing style back... meanwhile here's another piece of FFA gold.
Monday, May 26, 2008
A momentary renewal of reason
So I took a break from the madness that is my life at the moment (I completely acknowledge that I've been working too much, such that I have time to study but not much free time) to return to my true love - football. I went into the city to watch the Doncaster vs. Leeds League 1 play-off with... gasp... other people!
To be honest, I'd forgotten how much I cared about Leeds. Despite having only picked them many years ago because of Harry Kewell, I haven't jumped onto any other team. No matter how swoony or awesome a player may be (my heart broke when van der Sar joined his current club), I've stuck by Leeds. I'll admit that I didn't keep up with their matches in the lower leagues... and then I found out about Leeds United Victoria. And slowly got back into it.
Anyway, I'm still sulking after last night. Arrived at work this morning blood-shot, hoarse, and in a foul mood. It was 7.30am, so you may figure out that I had very little sleep (it takes me about an hour to get to work). But despite that deflated feeling that currently occupies me, I think I had a good night. Despite me being nervy most of the time. Anyway... I just miss football.
But I only have a few months of uni left, and then I can be free to do everything again.
And I will quit the Saturday job (the optometrist) by the next semester, leaving my weekends free towatch football study.
P.S. Looking forward to the new A-League season kicking off! Particularly the National Youth League... hee hee. Must keep my mouth shut, but I am very proud of someone! :)
To be honest, I'd forgotten how much I cared about Leeds. Despite having only picked them many years ago because of Harry Kewell, I haven't jumped onto any other team. No matter how swoony or awesome a player may be (my heart broke when van der Sar joined his current club), I've stuck by Leeds. I'll admit that I didn't keep up with their matches in the lower leagues... and then I found out about Leeds United Victoria. And slowly got back into it.
Anyway, I'm still sulking after last night. Arrived at work this morning blood-shot, hoarse, and in a foul mood. It was 7.30am, so you may figure out that I had very little sleep (it takes me about an hour to get to work). But despite that deflated feeling that currently occupies me, I think I had a good night. Despite me being nervy most of the time. Anyway... I just miss football.
But I only have a few months of uni left, and then I can be free to do everything again.
And I will quit the Saturday job (the optometrist) by the next semester, leaving my weekends free to
P.S. Looking forward to the new A-League season kicking off! Particularly the National Youth League... hee hee. Must keep my mouth shut, but I am very proud of someone! :)
Sunday, January 27, 2008
No wonder Muscat's in the Oz squad...
...who else can take penalties?
Meanwhile, that assistant referee needs to be wearing a cap. The sun must've obstructed his view...
And I think Breeze left his yellow cards at home - it's sheer thuggery out there today. I know it's a derby and it's the major semi, but it's no reason for the players to be as rough as they currently are.
Meanwhile, that assistant referee needs to be wearing a cap. The sun must've obstructed his view...
And I think Breeze left his yellow cards at home - it's sheer thuggery out there today. I know it's a derby and it's the major semi, but it's no reason for the players to be as rough as they currently are.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Half-time at Hindmarsh
Sorry Hamish and John, but I'm finding myself going for the Reds here. I did want Qld to take the premiership and have a chance of hosting the HAL final... but then Ognenovski fouled Galekovic. And the ref... did nothing.
Later, Tiatto fouls Djite, and the ref... did nothing.
Later again, Tiatto slaps (it wasn't that hard) Dodd, and the ref... sends him off.
To some, this may seem 'fair', but it's really not. It's inconsistent and the whole thing could have been avoided if the ref had the balls to give Oggy a yellow in the first foul at 4 minutes. Delovski had a chance to set himself in control of the match - instead he chickened out and gave the players the indication that they could have free-reign.
And so along came Tiatto's first foul - which it could be argued was none of Djite's business, but that's another matter. Delovski again did nothing, we all know it should have been a yellow. So when Tiatto slaps Dodd - while we all know that would have effectively been his second yellow... the ref gives him a straight red.
Perhaps what I'm arguing makes no sense - in short, the ref is being inconsistent and has no control of the match. Dodd should have been given a yellow for trying to get to Tiatto post-red card, and given one to Djite too for the same reason. Only to put those players back in their place and send a message to the rest that no more utter rubbish was going to be taken.
But it really should have been dealt with in that first unnecessary foul by Oggy.
Later, Tiatto fouls Djite, and the ref... did nothing.
Later again, Tiatto slaps (it wasn't that hard) Dodd, and the ref... sends him off.
To some, this may seem 'fair', but it's really not. It's inconsistent and the whole thing could have been avoided if the ref had the balls to give Oggy a yellow in the first foul at 4 minutes. Delovski had a chance to set himself in control of the match - instead he chickened out and gave the players the indication that they could have free-reign.
And so along came Tiatto's first foul - which it could be argued was none of Djite's business, but that's another matter. Delovski again did nothing, we all know it should have been a yellow. So when Tiatto slaps Dodd - while we all know that would have effectively been his second yellow... the ref gives him a straight red.
Perhaps what I'm arguing makes no sense - in short, the ref is being inconsistent and has no control of the match. Dodd should have been given a yellow for trying to get to Tiatto post-red card, and given one to Djite too for the same reason. Only to put those players back in their place and send a message to the rest that no more utter rubbish was going to be taken.
But it really should have been dealt with in that first unnecessary foul by Oggy.
If it ain't broke... Uncle Ernie will fix it!
Of course, in his own Uncle Ernie way.
Last week we all saw what Melbourne Victory could be - what it was last year and what it was going to be leading into the Asian Champions League. With only one of the Allsopp/Thompson partnership playing last week, the team looked and felt different. Fresh, eager to play and they looked free.
This week Uncle Ernie has decided that he wants Allsopp back. We were fine without him, so let's put him in! So someone had to go... Muscat had to stay in the starting eleven - not even Uncle Ernie is immune to Kev's wrath. But there's no room in the midfield... so let's put our old slow leader in the back four! Yes, that makes a lot of sense! Defenders need to be quick to chase down players who break through - Muscat, with his current speed of a snail, is an excellent candidate!
So who to drop? Well, he couldn't drop poor little Matty Kemp - not now. After all, Kemp kept playing throughout all his poor matches - not even being subbed! Ryall's been doing well, although he strikes me as lazy - more on that at a later time. So Seb can stay, he's young too, and Ernie likes to give youth (and the aged - see Muscat) a change. And you'd be mad to remove Vargas from the starting eleven (although it wouldn't surprise me if Uncle Ernie stoops to this at some point, because, let's all face it - a coach who doesn't feel the joy of goals and brilliant saves MUST be mad!)
So Vasilevski was dropped. Out of the starting eleven... and out of the squad altogether!
Let's move onto the midfield - unfortunately, Broxham is there on his own. Ward's been losing balls throughout the whole half and Hernandez isn't really doing much in winning the ball. Caceres has always been lacking in defensive abilities.
I know Broxham's good, but he's not that good to be able to hold out the entire Sydney midfield!
And so Sydney won the ball in their defence, got through our absent midfield, and Sydney's speedy old man Corica completely out-runs Melbourne's slow old man Muscat. Muscat is a liability in the defense line, and it's a shame that Uncle Ernie persists with playing him there.
By all means, if you want to remain injury-free Ernie, keep Muscat on the park - but not in the defense. In fact, why play Allsopp at all and avoid the whole fiasco? We played brilliantly last week... why change?
Last week we all saw what Melbourne Victory could be - what it was last year and what it was going to be leading into the Asian Champions League. With only one of the Allsopp/Thompson partnership playing last week, the team looked and felt different. Fresh, eager to play and they looked free.
This week Uncle Ernie has decided that he wants Allsopp back. We were fine without him, so let's put him in! So someone had to go... Muscat had to stay in the starting eleven - not even Uncle Ernie is immune to Kev's wrath. But there's no room in the midfield... so let's put our old slow leader in the back four! Yes, that makes a lot of sense! Defenders need to be quick to chase down players who break through - Muscat, with his current speed of a snail, is an excellent candidate!
So who to drop? Well, he couldn't drop poor little Matty Kemp - not now. After all, Kemp kept playing throughout all his poor matches - not even being subbed! Ryall's been doing well, although he strikes me as lazy - more on that at a later time. So Seb can stay, he's young too, and Ernie likes to give youth (and the aged - see Muscat) a change. And you'd be mad to remove Vargas from the starting eleven (although it wouldn't surprise me if Uncle Ernie stoops to this at some point, because, let's all face it - a coach who doesn't feel the joy of goals and brilliant saves MUST be mad!)
So Vasilevski was dropped. Out of the starting eleven... and out of the squad altogether!
Let's move onto the midfield - unfortunately, Broxham is there on his own. Ward's been losing balls throughout the whole half and Hernandez isn't really doing much in winning the ball. Caceres has always been lacking in defensive abilities.
I know Broxham's good, but he's not that good to be able to hold out the entire Sydney midfield!
And so Sydney won the ball in their defence, got through our absent midfield, and Sydney's speedy old man Corica completely out-runs Melbourne's slow old man Muscat. Muscat is a liability in the defense line, and it's a shame that Uncle Ernie persists with playing him there.
By all means, if you want to remain injury-free Ernie, keep Muscat on the park - but not in the defense. In fact, why play Allsopp at all and avoid the whole fiasco? We played brilliantly last week... why change?
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Losing my virginity
I've been struggling to write this season. Perhaps it's the poor form of the A-League in general. Maybe all the blame goes to Melbourne, particularly the home performances where I end up having to endure a train ride home in a a foul mood.
Last night I had a change in my game watching actions... I forfeited my reserved seat to my brother's friend and purchased a GA pass - at $12 with my uni student card being displayed, I was trying to figure out how much I would save dropping to GA next year in a season ticket...
I ended up spending most of the match at "North End" on level 1. Initially I was scoping level 3 - where I found that there were TWO touchlines! Telstra Dome is not very steep, so you tend to be far from the action with no elevation to see things. When in my usual Gold spot, I can't see the near touchline and I estimate the far one.
Eventually I found the vaguely familiar (but mostly unfamiliar) face that I was looking for (hi Watt!) and joined the Northern Terrace on level 1 for the remainder of the match. I haven't left a Melbourne Victory match in a happier, content and at-ease state since last season. I'm not sure if it was the result, but I think that even if we had've lost I would have felt the wholeness that I left Telstra Dome with.
I may have spent most of the past three seasons on the wings, but I think my heart does belong in the terrace. After spending time at South End, I think I've finally found my home. It really was a good way to (in hindsight) end the season for me.
I'm still trying to figure out why I enjoyed the Northern Terrace amongst mostly strangers so much more than my few times in the South End amongst people who I know a bit.
I think it's because it doesn't really matter if you knew anyone - as long as you were in the NT and singing for the team you felt like part of the group. Whereas I don't know if I would feel that in the South End unless I already knew someone.
At one point the terrace prepared itself to jump. Everyone in the row links arms and off we go jumping about. Whoever it was that was standing next to me included me in the action - and it's this general comradeship that created a buzz about the place that I hadn't experienced since walking about the stadium at half time during the Grand Final.
We all felt something special was happening then - but we didn't yet know what. Something special was also happening again last night with (mostly) everyone back on level 1, singing in unison and generally spreading the love.
On the field, Melbourne was finally getting it's act together - perhaps the supporters and the team really do share a connection and all we need is positive energy. We just have to make sure we carry it through the Asian Champions League campaign. Until then, well, now I can say that I am no longer an NT virgin.
I still have to lose my away trip virginity. ;)
Last night I had a change in my game watching actions... I forfeited my reserved seat to my brother's friend and purchased a GA pass - at $12 with my uni student card being displayed, I was trying to figure out how much I would save dropping to GA next year in a season ticket...
I ended up spending most of the match at "North End" on level 1. Initially I was scoping level 3 - where I found that there were TWO touchlines! Telstra Dome is not very steep, so you tend to be far from the action with no elevation to see things. When in my usual Gold spot, I can't see the near touchline and I estimate the far one.
Eventually I found the vaguely familiar (but mostly unfamiliar) face that I was looking for (hi Watt!) and joined the Northern Terrace on level 1 for the remainder of the match. I haven't left a Melbourne Victory match in a happier, content and at-ease state since last season. I'm not sure if it was the result, but I think that even if we had've lost I would have felt the wholeness that I left Telstra Dome with.
I may have spent most of the past three seasons on the wings, but I think my heart does belong in the terrace. After spending time at South End, I think I've finally found my home. It really was a good way to (in hindsight) end the season for me.
I'm still trying to figure out why I enjoyed the Northern Terrace amongst mostly strangers so much more than my few times in the South End amongst people who I know a bit.
I think it's because it doesn't really matter if you knew anyone - as long as you were in the NT and singing for the team you felt like part of the group. Whereas I don't know if I would feel that in the South End unless I already knew someone.
At one point the terrace prepared itself to jump. Everyone in the row links arms and off we go jumping about. Whoever it was that was standing next to me included me in the action - and it's this general comradeship that created a buzz about the place that I hadn't experienced since walking about the stadium at half time during the Grand Final.
We all felt something special was happening then - but we didn't yet know what. Something special was also happening again last night with (mostly) everyone back on level 1, singing in unison and generally spreading the love.
On the field, Melbourne was finally getting it's act together - perhaps the supporters and the team really do share a connection and all we need is positive energy. We just have to make sure we carry it through the Asian Champions League campaign. Until then, well, now I can say that I am no longer an NT virgin.
I still have to lose my away trip virginity. ;)
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Friday, December 21, 2007
The catch up round of 22, err... 15.
Milo's mustache was unfortunate because the seperated halves never matched. They were like Milo's disunited eyes, which never looked at the same thing at the same time. Milo could see more things than most people, but he could see none of them too distinctly.It's pouring in Melbourne, which is good for the catchments, but our stormwater system finds it difficult to cope with the storm at times. So it's a Friday evening and I'm curled up at home listening to Icehouse (actually, they were still Flowers at this point) and reading a book. I came across the above description for a character, and I instantly burst out laughing as at home we always thought that Vidmar was such a good defender because he could keep an eye on the ball and the other eye on the defender. I never thought he'd have a counterpart in modern literature! Except that I think Vidmar can see those things distinctly.
Quite fitting that I would have Vidmar in my thoughts, the irony is that I'm reading this book because it's pouring outside, and Central Coast vs. Sydney was originally postponed due to floods, and is the only match on this weekend. Conspiracy or something more sinister? I suspect that I am simply making leaps in my thoughts which don't quite connect. But that's hardly ever not normal for me anyway.
I didn't catch Sydney's match last week, and was in shock when my mum texted me the result. Shock followed by a very loud, "Oh no!" Simply because I don't want Perth to get any points! But when I got home and found out Celeski scored 3 and that Milligan stuffed up twice I was quite happy. Celeski should be on the swoon list... more on that some other time.
It was disappointing to see Milligan make such errors, and with Verbeek watching I am sure Mark was very disappointed in himself. I find myself in a strange position with Milligan, I don't really think much of him in a sky blue shirt but want him to be an excellent footballer when he puts on the national team kit. So seeing such amateur mistakes was disappointing, even if he was wearing sky blue at the time.
I'm expecting Central Coast to get this one. They've got some key players back and of course they're the swooniest team in the A-League, so why not go for them? Sydney are probably licking their wounds, and I don't think they'll be as mentally tough without their true captain in Mark Rudan who played his last game in a sky blue shirt (for the moment anyway) last week.
I'm hoping that the grand final is Queensland vs. Central Coast, simply because I have a fear that if Central Coast get the hosting honours the match will be shipped away to Sydney. Which would be no good, but then you need the larger stadium... I wonder what would happen...
Hmmm... with the storms currently in Melbourne looking to go towards Sydney, what's the chance of Bluetongue getting waterlogged again?
Monday, December 17, 2007
A summary of the past few weeks...
I've been neglecting this blog, a combination of the Melbourne blues and sitting in front of a PC all day means I don't really feel up for more sitting when I get home.
Anyway, here's an email conversation that I had this morning for your reading pleasure. Bear with it, and you may find it mildly amusing. As a bit of background, 'A' knows that I've been angry and neglecting my blog.
=========================
From: M
Sent: Friday, 14 December 2007 4:31 PM
To: Cecilia
Subject: Stickers
Cecilia,
I’ve located the signage selection guide with company logo.
blah blah blah
Cheers,
M
------------------------------------
From: Cecilia
Sent: Monday, 17 December 2007 9:16 AM
To: Team
Subject: FW: Stickers
Good morning all,
There has been a lack of sticker with customer logo selection guide ...
Blah blah blah
Enjoy.
Cecilia.
------------------------------------
From: A
Sent: Monday, 17 December 2007 9:41 AM
To: Cecilia
Subject: RE: Stickers
Score.
------------------------------------
From: Cecilia
Sent: Monday, 17 December 2007 9:53 AM
To: A
Subject: RE: Stickers
What’s with your one word answers to my general emails to all?
------------------------------------
From: A
Sent: Monday, 17 December 2007 9:56 AM\
To: Cecilia
Subject: RE: Stickers
Just feeling the love.
------------------------------------
From: Cecilia
Sent: Monday, 17 December 2007 10:10 AM
To: A
Subject: RE: Stickers
Alright then…
------------------------------------
From: A
Sent: Monday, 17 December 2007 10:12 AM
To: Cecilia
Subject: RE: Stickers
:P
------------------------------------
From: Cecilia
Sent: Monday, 17 December 2007 10:15 AM
To: A
Subject: RE: Stickers
Now you’re avoiding words altogether!
S-)
------------------------------------
From: A
Sent: Monday, 17 December 2007 10:15 AM
To: Cecilia
Subject: RE: Stickers
Words are overated.
------------------------------------
From: Cecilia
Sent: Monday, 17 December 2007 10:16 AM
To: A
Subject: RE: Stickers
Oh the irony of that response being worded. So deep.
------------------------------------
From: A
Sent: Monday, 17 December 2007 10:17 AM
To: Cecilia
Subject: RE: Stickers
Like I said, feel the love.
------------------------------------
From: Cecilia
Sent: Monday, 17 December 2007 10:21 AM
To: A
Subject: RE: Stickers
There’s a Melbourne Victory player with the surname Love. He is highly overrated in my opinion. But ‘catchy’ phrases like “Feel the Love” or “Show us some Love” are particularly annoying. Given MV’s woeful performance on the weekend, any references that may remind me of MV are likely to send me into a deeper state of depression. Not cool. Please refrain from any MV-related commentary too.
On a positive note, there are no more MV matches at home for the rest of the year. Unfortunately there’s still one next year
------------------------------------
From: A
Sent: Monday, 17 December 2007 10:23 AM
To: Cecilia
Subject: RE: Stickers
LOL.
You should post this on your blog
=========================
And so I did.
Some notes from the past couple of games:
Anyway, here's an email conversation that I had this morning for your reading pleasure. Bear with it, and you may find it mildly amusing. As a bit of background, 'A' knows that I've been angry and neglecting my blog.
=========================
From: M
Sent: Friday, 14 December 2007 4:31 PM
To: Cecilia
Subject: Stickers
Cecilia,
I’ve located the signage selection guide with company logo.
blah blah blah
Cheers,
M
------------------------------------
From: Cecilia
Sent: Monday, 17 December 2007 9:16 AM
To: Team
Subject: FW: Stickers
Good morning all,
There has been a lack of sticker with customer logo selection guide ...
Blah blah blah
Enjoy.
Cecilia.
------------------------------------
From: A
Sent: Monday, 17 December 2007 9:41 AM
To: Cecilia
Subject: RE: Stickers
Score.
------------------------------------
From: Cecilia
Sent: Monday, 17 December 2007 9:53 AM
To: A
Subject: RE: Stickers
What’s with your one word answers to my general emails to all?
------------------------------------
From: A
Sent: Monday, 17 December 2007 9:56 AM\
To: Cecilia
Subject: RE: Stickers
Just feeling the love.
------------------------------------
From: Cecilia
Sent: Monday, 17 December 2007 10:10 AM
To: A
Subject: RE: Stickers
Alright then…
------------------------------------
From: A
Sent: Monday, 17 December 2007 10:12 AM
To: Cecilia
Subject: RE: Stickers
:P
------------------------------------
From: Cecilia
Sent: Monday, 17 December 2007 10:15 AM
To: A
Subject: RE: Stickers
Now you’re avoiding words altogether!
S-)
------------------------------------
From: A
Sent: Monday, 17 December 2007 10:15 AM
To: Cecilia
Subject: RE: Stickers
Words are overated.
------------------------------------
From: Cecilia
Sent: Monday, 17 December 2007 10:16 AM
To: A
Subject: RE: Stickers
Oh the irony of that response being worded. So deep.
------------------------------------
From: A
Sent: Monday, 17 December 2007 10:17 AM
To: Cecilia
Subject: RE: Stickers
Like I said, feel the love.
------------------------------------
From: Cecilia
Sent: Monday, 17 December 2007 10:21 AM
To: A
Subject: RE: Stickers
There’s a Melbourne Victory player with the surname Love. He is highly overrated in my opinion. But ‘catchy’ phrases like “Feel the Love” or “Show us some Love” are particularly annoying. Given MV’s woeful performance on the weekend, any references that may remind me of MV are likely to send me into a deeper state of depression. Not cool. Please refrain from any MV-related commentary too.
On a positive note, there are no more MV matches at home for the rest of the year. Unfortunately there’s still one next year
------------------------------------
From: A
Sent: Monday, 17 December 2007 10:23 AM
To: Cecilia
Subject: RE: Stickers
LOL.
You should post this on your blog
=========================
And so I did.
Some notes from the past couple of games:
- Disappointed with Muscat last week, awful defending and lack of enthusiasm results in him losing Agostino, not once but twice! This results in goals for Adelaide. AWFUL.
- The fact that we drew 2-2 without being abel to score from open plane depresses me.
- From last night, our boys really don't want to be there... or at least, that's how it looks.
- That was a nice free kick from Griffiths. Beats the wall, so theoretically the keeper can't get it. Excellent. Even though it was difficult to watch.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)