Melbourne Victory - Kurzed.

Marco seems to be the new spokesman for the team.

"Young winger Marco Rojas, who has been a more regular fixture in the starting line up in recent weeks, was singing the new coach's praises yesterday, particularly his humorous criticism.

''They [Magilton and Durakovic] have different views on football. He's [Magilton] given us that confidence, that's all you need in football. He's helped out a lot of players and that's why it's getting better for us,'' Rojas said.

And "Facing Ange Postecoglou's side without the club's all-time leading scorer in 33-year-old Thompson would only increase the degree of difficulty

''It's very significant,'' said Victory winger Marco Rojas when asked how much impact the loss of Thompson could have.

''He's one of our best players. Although he hasn't scored for a while, he's still been very threatening and is getting into those positions,'' Rojas said.

''He's a great player and a great person to be around as a young player, so he's very important to the team.''

hepatitis2012-02-15 09:20:50

From today's Age online -

FORMER Melbourne Victory boss Mehmet Durakovic yesterday dismissed Victory star Harry Kewell's assertion that he was too close to the players and wanted to be their friend, not their boss. Durakovic said: ''I know where the line between friendship and making decisions is.

''But I was the captain of the ship and I had to pay for what was regarded as the failure in the first few months of the season.''

The former Socceroo defender also said he had a strong desire to coach in the A-League again and was optimistic that his torrid time in charge of Australia's biggest soccer club would not count against him.

Durakovic has maintained a dignified silence since his dismissal six weeks ago as the club everyone expected to be a championship pacesetter foundered.

Yesterday he said he still wanted to be involved in the game at the highest level and believed that his travails at Victory, where he had to deal with huge expectation from fans and the club's management, had made him a stronger person. He said he believes that if he had been given more time he could have got Victory back into a winning groove.

Durakovic said he bore no ill will to the players or the club administration after he was given his marching orders barely half way through his first season and predicted that with the strength of players at his disposal, his successor, Jim Magilton, should take Victory to the finals.

''I hope they do get there. I spent a long time at the club and having coached the youth team I know a lot of the younger boys there, too. They have some good quality players and if things go right they should get there,'' Durakovic said.

He said that had things been different and he had not been axed, he could have steadied the ship. ''I was learning there with every game and given more time I think we definitely would have improved. But that's how football is, it's cut-throat and people want results. They have got a lot of experience in that squad and I really hope they make it.''

Durakovic has taken time off since his dismissal but the hurt of his sacking is still as acute today as it was on January 6, when he was given the news that he had no future with the club.

''It really hurts me what happened, but I enjoyed my time there. Sometimes it's just about results and expectations are right up there. I felt that I had done well in that Asian Champions League campaign, that we played well there and got some good results [a win, three draws and a defeat in five games after he took over following Ernie Merrick's dismissal after the 5-1 ACL loss in Osaka] and I felt like I had earned the job.

''It takes time to set your own standards and philosophies and I wish I had that as I felt I could have turned it around, but I won't make excuses. I never crucified the players and I never will.''

Kewell's assertion last week that Durakovic was just too nice a man to be in charge, clearly rankles.

''A coach can be friends and banter with players, a manager is like a general," Kewell was quoted as having said. ''You can talk and maybe have a laugh but you have to know there's a line you can't cross, a cut-off point, and Mehm didn't know that. I believe he may have listened to other people and got gun-shy.''

The 46-year-old said his mild-mannered approach belied his gentle nature, not his desire to be everyone's pal. ''I don't really get angry, I am not that kind of guy,'' Durakovic said. ''I would rather be friends than not, but my way is to encourage rather than shout. That's always been my philosophy in football. It's up to people how they perceive that.''

There is a major contrast between the softly, softly Durakovic approach and the rat-a-tat banter at a Magilton training session.

Yesterday the Irishman, buoyed by Victory's first win under his control over the Mariners last Friday, was in ebullient mood at training at Gosch's Paddock.

''Dumb and dumber,'' he yelled at striker Jean Carlos Solarzano and a teammate as they messed up a passing drill before shooting. ''Nice pass back to the goalie,'' he yelled to Billy Celeski as the midfielder's cross fell softly into the custodian's hands.

Magilton is a fast-talking wisecracker who clearly loves the banter of the training field, something he learnt in the far more competitive and less genteel English environment where he played and learned his coaching skills. ''It's 11.10am, welcome to the morning, thanks for coming'', he chided a group whom he thought were not training with the intensity required.

Nobody took umbrage and everyone redoubled their efforts for a man who likes having a laugh. When a journalist recently reminded him that Victory's 0-0 draw with the Heart was the first time it had kept the opposition scoreless in 13 games he shot back quickly ''cheers Statto, thanks for that''.

The mood in the Victory camp is optimistic after the win over the Mariners in which Carlos Hernandez showed a welcome return to form and Kewell scored a marvellous winner.

Magilton is credited by the Victory hierarchy with bringing in a hard edge and positive energy to the team (which has won one, drawn four and lost one during his tenure). If he can galvanise them into getting a result in Brisbane at the weekend and then driving them into the finals he will have made a compelling argument for getting the job full-time.

Young winger Marco Rojas, who has been a more regular fixture in the starting line up in recent weeks, was singing the new coach's praises yesterday, particularly his humorous criticism.

''They [Magilton and Durakovic] have different views on football. He's [Magilton] given us that confidence, that's all you need in football. He's helped out a lot of players and that's why it's getting better for us,'' Rojas said.

Hard News2012-02-15 09:43:26

Looks to be a quality establishment.

Naenae shops.

How long have they been in business? Just want to know who's elligible to sue whom.

Since the 28th of March 2007 IIRC

Hellooooooooo lawsuit!

lol I've been Kiwi Pie for a lot longer than this forum has existed.

Well I figured that, but good luck convincing the bakery in Naenae!

Great effort from Harry last night, we really lost all momentum when he came off.

poll on A-League site

Thank you for voting

Kewell has been very good. The entire Melbourne backline; not so much.

After a slow start he has become a good A league player.... does not take away from the fact he is a disgusted w**ker

He is rather unlikeable.

the clean out has begun....
http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news-display/Victory-release-Pondeljak/46166

He was off contract at the end of the season, and wouldn't think releasing him a couple games early would save much money. It just robs the fans of a chance to say good bye, even if he didn't take the field. Ryan's Rovers2012-03-14 23:17:31

magilton confirmed as manager for next season

Means he doesn't have to turn up to training, any promotional events or stay available in the city. Might be important to play in the VPL.

opinion piece
http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/offsider-opinion-display/Magilton-Out/46170

Miron weighs in on the debate around Magilton

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/bleiberg-opinion-display/Jim-Magiltons-gamble/46181

Can I just point out how DISGUSTED I am at all the gloating and piss-taking going on in this thread about poor old Melbourne Victory's current predicament.

I LOVE Melbourne Victory. I would love to seethem finish their season with goals to Archie, Harry and Carlos.

Hang on.  Harry?

I gota bit excited there... Sorry...

How about a hattrick to Velfaffy?

Melbourne Victory shirts for sale on Trademe - here!

Even has the V on it. Could get one of these for Saturday night.

http://www.skysport.co.nz/article/football/headlines/magilton-hopes-decision-is-next-week-58863/

thread title needs to change again 

Done.

What an absolute shower of sh*t they are.

I'm disgusted.

Couldnt stab themselves if their hands were knives

http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/a-league/melbourne-victory-officials-and-harry-kewells-management-to-discuss-his-a-league-future-at-meeting-in-sydney/story-e6frf4gl-1226313133587

Guess he isn't making enough money, or maybe being snubbed for the PFA team of the year made him disgusted.

I'd be discustard if I didn't make the team, haven't you heard that I've got an aura?

Just read from a seemingly good Twitter source that Ange has signed as Victory's new manager. Heard it here first!

Check the date?

Judging by his twitter feed Kevin Airs seems to be taking the bait, if its the case.

Hope it's not true.