General A-League discussion

It was about a second long, and of a goal being scored against us. 

So no, we aren't. 

there was a 0.1 sec clip of the fever zone.

And Heskey scoring against us just after that.

'Highlights' from the Victory v Jets game.

CCM 1 Jets 2

Victory 3 WSW 0

Sydney 0 Glory 3

Olympic FC 1 Roar 11

Heart 4 Peninsula XI 1

And we have got Roar first up?

Yep, they only will be missing McKay. I'm kinda worried what Franjic will do to Caira tbh.

Are we seeing pre-tournament games man ship in some of these pre-season results  are ACFC better than Syd FC

CCM had to split their squad cuz they double booked themselves with the Indonesian tour being rescheduled, so dont think much can be read into that result.

Sydney were dire against Glory, with a likely Rnd 1 side starting. Their fans are currently off buying razor blades as well.

Covic clanger @ 2:16

Oh god that is awful hahaha

That's worse than the goal he let in at ROF. A lot worse

That is pure comedy

Kosta sneaking in with a goal, and pretty awful from Covic

FFA anxious to heal rifts and support club owners

The Football Federation of Australia is hoping to heal its historically fractured relationship with A-League club owners as chief executive David Gallop revealed the governing body's priority next season is relieving the financial pressures placed on owners.

If last season was the year that the A-League broke through into the mainstream of Australian sport, then this year's instalment will see the FFA consolidate its position to maintain increased financial stability.

The new broadcast deal, which will see the game shown live on Fox Sports and SBS has provided the game with a significant cash stream but it is not at the stage when the FFA is willing to explore large-scale projects such as expansion. Gallop says consolidating the financial position this season is essential for the league's development.

''We're certainly moving into a more stable financial environment but we need to be conscious of the huge investment club owners have made in the past and will continue to make,'' Gallop said. ''Ultimately, our number one strategic priority is to alleviate the burden on our private owners, but certainly progress has been made in that area.''

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After years of losses up to five clubs are expected to record profits by the end of the season now that the entire salary cap costs will be covered as part of the new broadcast deal and other sponsorships. It is understood that clubs with larger operating costs and those with marquee player wages outside the salary cap will stay in the red.

''There remain potholes in the road financially, but things have drastically improved from previous seasons,'' Gallop said. ''We're moving into an environment for the first time where we've got a number of clubs now being profitable or at least breaking even … that's a long way forward from where they used to be. Club distributions are at a level of matching the top roster cost.

''While there are still player payments outside the top roster, that is significant progress.''

The extra cash flow did not result in another influx of high-profile marquee players such as Alessandro Del Piero, Emile Heskey and Shinji Ono, but this off-season saw a large number of World Cup hopefuls return to Australia looking for national team selection. It is hoped returning Socceroos Matt McKay, Matthew Spiranovic, James Troisi, Patrick Kisnorbo, Nathan Burns and Michael Zullo will raise the standard of the competition while perhaps not capturing the attention that ''brand'' marquees will.

''Having players come back to the A-League underlines the rise in technical standards across the league as well as the increased financial stability of the competition,'' Gallop said.

The unique nature of A-League supporters has been further acknowledged by the FFA, who will introduce a football specific working group this season. The operation will be implemented with a view to providing security that accounts for the distinctive style of support from active supporter groups such as The Cove of Sydney FC and the Red and Black Bloc of the Western Sydney Wanderers and will involve clubs, police, stadiums and FFA security operations. ''It's now something all our clubs are harnessing,'' Gallop said. ''Our players let our fans know that they respond to that atmosphere. There's a working relationship between our fans and our players that's really turbocharging the season.''

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/ffa-anxious-to-heal-rifts-and-support-club-owners-20131003-2uxez.html#ixzz2gjrEUwcw

Am currently really enjoying the excellent series of pre-season previews of A-League teams coming out one side every day on the Guardian, UK website (amazing a UK paper has such good A-League coverage!):

All the preview articles so far with accompanying videos (Nix preview coming soon!):

442 gave JayFC his own blog, this cant end well. This weeks article http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/284871,the-ohmigod-review-of-the-week.aspx

Thought this was a good read http://leopoldmethod.com.au/why-possession-statistics-lie/

[Edit: Whoops, 2ndBest already posted it in the Declan thread]

Does anyone else find it strange that people say things like "the league needs Newcastle to be stronger", "the league needs a strong Sydney FC", "the league needs a credible second Melbourne team"

Surely the league needs some teams that won't make the finals, or else it wouldn't be a competition?

The forum needs a better bevan

110 players off contract next season ooo lots of movement poss.

We need to get a list

http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/a-league/studs-up-blog-112-aleague-players-are-off-contract-and-can-entertain-offers-from-rivals/story-e6frf4gl-1226757061190

He reckons Carlos is off contract despite signing a 2 year deal. So can't be 100% sure they are all correct.

Cheers. Hopefully some nix signings in there

A few RBs in there and midfielders we kinda need like a Mooy

We could have some cash to splash with Iffy on a reduced deal, Manny and Lia probably going also. Would love to spend it on Mooy.

Totally and maybe Smeltzy? Ilikely as it said to get marquee wagers anywhere

Huysegems will gone also

Waffles cap would be used for a visa player. I would like Smeltzy back but adding 32yr old isn't rejuvenating the squad. Could see Sydney trying for him, if they can't get Berisha tbh.

Good point and 28 is ernies cut off apparently

I would not bring Smeltz back. Yes he has a proven record but in his last two years at Perth, despite injuries, his record is not as good as his history.

If we were looking at cheap and effective, I would go after the Chinese boy up front for Bling playing nominal minutes currently.

Chianese would only be squad filler. Ernie has shown he would rather use young Kiwis for those roles. If we are to sign an Aussie, he has to be a starter. Only Mooy stands out as a 'must have' but will be a lot of competition for his signature.

I was thinking whose the chinese striker

I tweeted him last night to tell him that Carlos was on a two year deal. He said that Carlos was on the FFA's uncontracted list but he would look into it.

Joel Chai-a-nees

The Leopold Method's view on the first 5 rounds. http://leopoldmethod.com.au/a-league-analysis-round-1-5/

Would like to see a home/away play off in the finals like in the Champions League knock out rounds

Nicky Ward reportadly training with Sydney