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I find this somewhat hypocritical when you dismiss any AA in Scotland bar those playing with Celtic or Rangers.
Belgian league plays a different style of football than many Scottish teams. There is a lot more depth too - given their high UEFA ranking.

Ditto Italy's Serie A.

Miller is improving in Scotland. He may be the exception, not the norm. In a some facets of a player's skill set, some Aussies playing in Scotland are stagnating, compared to those playing in other UEFA leagues outside the Big Five like the Championship, League 1, Belgium, Netherlands, Austrian Bundi, Denmark, et al.

Not sure if you've heard it, but I recommend the excellent G and G Podcast 15 where Bulgarian scout, Peter, is interviewed. He knows the Aus football scene well. Grazor, the host, asks Peter lots of questions discussed on here.

Peter is a former pro footballer too. He states that Scotland, outside the Glasgow giants, is similar standard to the AL and English League 1. Peter contends that the AL and L1 are more technical than Scotland, with patient build ups from the back. A national objective from the national football fed in Aus.

Not just me saying this but an objective pro scout, familiar with a wide range of countries in international football. Peter also states that our Squeezing and Pressing is less intense in the AL, hence players have a bit more time on the ball in the AL.

Grazor poses some excellent questions in G and G Podcast episode 15, as he does in 14 and 16 too. The G and G Podcasts are becoming an invaluable resource. I've learned a lot!
 
Yeah in that match

the chances werent put on the plate he earnt them from good movement imo. If he never puts those chances in thats a different story mind you

Milanovic catches the eye with his dribbling from deep but i dont think it was very effective to be honest

In any case their midfield was mauled so not much the forwards can do
Any idea how many passes per team, or total were recorded in that game, Grazor?
 
My point isn't to denigrate because of the teams performance in the league, it's just to point out that Aidan appearance in the team doesn't seem to increase their standing.

Perfect example of this is my respect for Ballard at NAC Breda, where he assisted in keeping a newly promoted team above relegation.

I just don't see that level of improvement in O'Neill's teams. To add there is a running pattern around GD that can't be ignored, which basically says to me O'Neill can't transition.
What do you mean by he 'can't transition', Huddo?

I'm comparing like with like in performances for the Socceroos. IMO, and obviously Popa's, O'N is doing well. I have data to support this.

I haven't seen Ballard/Balard since playing for CCM. He must have improved. However, Popa would have compared him to others in camp, and finds O'N, Yazbek, Teague and Irvine a bit better ATM. It is good we have depth.

I can't pontificate on Balard/Ballard until I see more of him. The others' skill sets are more familiar. When I watched CCM when Ballard played with them, Nisbet took my eye more. I think the latter's skill set is needed more in the Socceroos. Popa obviously disagrees.
 
Huge love for Devlin on the Hearts boards.

I've always thought him not quite good enough for the NT but it seems he's improved a lot in the last year or so.
Or is a question of his skill set being useful for the requirements of the Scottish league?

Not as useful for international football?
 
Recent history suggests that Hajduk Split can't be considered in the category of big UEFA clubs. They haven't qualified for the group stage of a European competition since since 2010-11, when they last qualified for the Europa League. In that group stage they won 1, lost 5.

Last season they were knocked out in Conference League qualifying by MFK Ruzomberok. Who? Yep, I had never heard of them either, they are in the Slovakian league. This season they won their qualifying round 2 tie over two legs, after extra time, against Zira, another club I have never heard of who are from Azerbaijan. Their next qualifying tie is against Dinamo City from Albania.

Big UEFA club? No.
I stand corrected!

Thanks.

I will pass on this info to my Croatian mate, who supports HS!
 
Belgium is an "infinitely superior league"? I think you may need to re-consider your use of the word "infinitely".
Decidedly?

Last time I looked, Belgium were ranked 7th or 8th top league in UEFA. Usually the Big Five are followed in rankings by Netherlands, Portugal and Belgium, with the order changing a bit. Netherlands even ranked higher than France for a while in recent times, but I find it hard to believe.

From the style of play I've observed in Scotland, it can't possibly be anywhere near close to Belgium in quality.
 
Always rated Karacic. Thought he was unlucky not to get a chance in Serie A. Captained Lokomotiva last year to what I think has been his best season 34 starts, 4 goals, 4 assists. Filled in at CB a good amount of times. In turn has led to a move to Split. Might be a good option in a back 3. Would be good to have some experience in the backline.
It sounds like his career is on an upward trajectory at club level - which is good.

Even if HS aren't as good as I thought.
 
Yengi played his best football when he played wide of a front 3 for Wanderers. He is so good at dragging players with him and creating space in the middle for others. He can cut in from the left and shoot. He isn't a lone striker player.
Good observations and good to hear, VG!
 
Which is what?
Download the FotMob app on your phone & you can follow pretty much any Professional team in the world, international teams & individual players. You receive notifications when the team list is listed, when the game starts & they update the player stats live throughout the game. I'm following pretty much every club that has an Australian player, so I can see how everyone is performing etc.
 
Aiden O'Neill with a full game for New York City against Mexican side Toluca in a 1-2 loss in the Leagues Cup.

Are the Mexican sides normally stronger than the MLS ones?
 
Download the FotMob app on your phone & you can follow pretty much any Professional team in the world, international teams & individual players. You receive notifications when the team list is listed, when the game starts & they update the player stats live throughout the game. I'm following pretty much every club that has an Australian player, so I can see how everyone is performing etc.
Thanks!

Incredible!
 
Aiden O'Neill with a full game for New York City against Mexican side Toluca in a 1-2 loss in the Leagues Cup.

Are the Mexican sides normally stronger than the MLS ones?
Yes

But it's been weakened in recent years with accusations of corruption, it's also been closed since COVID..
 
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Any idea how many passes per team, or total were recorded in that game, Grazor?
I say this every year, only to get disappointed a few months later....but maybe scotland has turned a corner?
Hearts v Aberdeen - 578 aggregate
Falkirk v Dundee - 621
Dundee v Hibs - 818
celtic v mirren - 804
kilmarnock v livingston - 556
motherwell v rangers - 798

if this keeps up its a remarkable change in a season. However, the football I've seen it seems to disadvantage clubs to keep it on the deck because not enough players are press resistant and they struggle to land their passes under pressure
 
I say this every year, only to get disappointed a few months later....but maybe scotland has turned a corner?
Hearts v Aberdeen - 578 aggregate
Falkirk v Dundee - 621
Dundee v Hibs - 818
celtic v mirren - 804
kilmarnock v livingston - 556
motherwell v rangers - 798

if this keeps up its a remarkable change in a season. However, the football I've seen it seems to disadvantage clubs to keep it on the deck because not enough players are press resistant and they struggle to land their passes under pressure
They're certainly increasing and get the value of more ball touches and movement.
 
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