Not with me. I worked in a bank with an Italian teller in Leichhardt. He'd often swear under his breath. Of course I picked it. Unfortunately, I must have been a little louder when I said it in front of a customer. Needless to say it didn't go well from there.

Be interesting to see how Jets line up and go tonight - look reasonably strong but how will they gel so early in training.

Mariners have lost a lot - but can still put together 10 out of a starting 11 that played notable minutes in the ALM last year together. Most of the new playing list are rebuilding the academy. Still a long way short of the October team.

I'd rather have Okon up front of the three - he is creative but dwells on the ball too much as one of the back two and either loses the ball or gives his partner an impossible task.

Gauci back to Viila.

3 games though- with no improvement- I still think he is being set up. Change or go. And you can't change against these two.

But sitting back and losing 4-1 may well. Play defensive and not keeping it close is the same.

Wasn't meant as a joke. I think it is very realistic. the Socceroos and the Matildas are the brands that push Australia's football. Does playing defensively for the next 4 years attract fans and keep sponsors? Tony did what was needed. Is he what is needed now is the question that the FA may be...

Are they setting Tony up - shades of Holger Osieck with Brazil and France?

I think I get the front page. Missed today but can be caught numerically - but tiebreaker seems to be alphabetically order - phew

Yes and no - if the big clubs spent more so might the Bakries and TSG

Not sure on your ratings of young players. Mcgree was definitely a huge loss and I think Balard was as well. Okon Jr, I'm not convinced yet if Popovic continues to play him where he does. If Popovic continues with a box midfield then he needs considered as one of the top two, not the back two...

You can get away with 14 stadiums for 48. 64 you need 16. Interesting that Saudi Arabia have said 15. They will have 8 for the Asian Cup. Will almost certainly cancel the one in the sky. That leaves them having to hit 6 out of 6 to get the minimum for a 48 team World Cup. They already are...

I saw a Ryan one as well.

Good move for him. They sit a lot deeper than the rest of the CFG and can fix his obvious flaws in sweeping and accuracy in long passes in training While utilising his excellent shot stopping in the games.

I didn't - always rated O'Neill and still not happy with Okon-E in the role he played. His defence and ball security are not his best weapons, creativity is - if picked in Popovics system he is one of the front two in the box midfield. There I would have no problem picking him.

The squad picked to cover 3 centre backs and 2 wing backs so we took 10 defenders. The 2006 side had 7 defenders (one that could play as a midfielder) and two midfielders that could play as defenders in a 23 man squad. I it also had five specific forwards one that could play as a midfielder...

Largely - that is it. But my main point is more about the picking a squad that is capable of playing multiple ways. I like a pragmatic manager, you don't try to out tika-taka Spain like in 2014, you don't decide the only way to play is with three centre-backs (that is an option) as we did in...

There are plenty of people saying that we don't have the players no matter who is the manager, if so why bother trying, we may as well just accept our lot in life and declare ourselves World AFL champions.

And for anyone that says we don't have the players so the manager is irrelevant then I'll do the job. I'm not qualified but since a manager is irrelevant I'll take $200,000 a year to be irrelevant and the FA can save $1M for other purposes. If there is no accountability for the manager I think...

Yes we had injuries - but we had an unbalanced squad that could only play one way. You can go into a one of game like that - not a tournament. If you pick a squad for a tournament that is set up to play one way and so have an unbalanced squad the manager can only look at himself. Popovic has...

Muscat close to $4million in China

You would think the Technical Director would recommend someone to the board. for that to happen you need to have a Technical Director.

It seems to me that everyone seems to think we have better players than we had fours years ago. That team which was ranked #38 before the World Cup lost to the #4 in the world, beat the #10 and then beat the #30 in the world before losing the knockout to the #2 in the world. This time we had...

About $8m at a guess. Could be wrong. But that's 4 or 5 times Poppa

Way too expensive for the FA

Arnie had done one or two things before that.

That's really not the point - there are two elite GK managers as far as I'm concerned - one is Crawley and other Galekovic. how many of your SA ones were under Galekovic. Obviously Beach and Langerak weren't under Crawley but the other three were.

He grew up in the suburb next to me. Assuming a generation (and a bit) difference between us. My take at the time was the kids at my age spoke fluent English and Italian. The father would speak heavily accented English. The mother (now the Grandmother) spoke minimal English and spoke primarily...

I suspect you are right about Popovic and Asia. Plenty of high paying gigs to be had. Anyone above Popovic on the list is unlikely because of cost. FA are not going to commit huge funds. From there I would have a short list of two Aussies and an AFC manager. To me the choice is between...

At the end of the day the FA will make a decision whether to continue with Popovic based on a few criteria. The first should be style that best suits the way Australia wants to play (set by the Technical Director) followed closely by what is realistically affordable. We don’t want to be asking...

Italian boy from Abbotsford - Apia the obvious pick.

That's why he needs to be in the Asian cup squad. Can't leave it late

Usually you pay the manager and give him a staff budget.

I think you may be the revisionist here He played about three at CB when he first went there and was pilloried by Scottish fans. Surprise surprise. So was Ange at Celtic. He then quickly transitioned (less than a month) to the centre of midfield where their problems really were and stayed there...

That seems to be a really long term project and the plans seem to be around a basketball/netball/futsal stadium with grass fields outside.

As much as I love Garang I don't want him in the starting squad - but I do want him in the squad. He is the guy you bring in with Archie Goodwin with 30 minutes to go and you need a result. Deploy him as an inside forward where he unusual style can wrong foot opponents, shoot with both feet...

Tried to find it but even at only 20000 you need a decent footprint - where exactly are you looking

I dispute that Farrell can't do it since I have seen him do it but that is a moot point when you read below. I think we need to transition to a back 4 and attack with Bos bombing forward and the other full back moving across to create a back 3. (It would need to be someone at home playing in a...

Yep - same here. But his knee took his full weight at speed. (and I suspect his speed is a tad faster than either yours or definitely mine)

To be honest without Craig Goodwin on the field our set pieces have been poor for years and it is an area that that needs to improve

The main point is that you can be as good at defending as anyone but if you can't find a route to goal then you are not going to proceed. In reality this was our easiest group ever and our easiest playoff group. i.e. It was our best chance ever going back to 1974 and an opportunity we will rue...

1) Popovic, when he sets up to play properly, at least sets us up to counter attack. He did that in one game. The rest were set up not to concede and a recipe to not progress. That is not our level - or if it is we will never progress. If you set up defensively with no route to goal you are...

Notice I didn't use Okon jr as one of the pivots - I think he sits better as a creative force with Volpato or McGree. He was lauded about one assist in the World cup but the primary job there was as a HM were he paled against O'Neill.

This one expands on the box midfield and how it can be used offensively to support your strikers - I have Bos on the right but he could be on the left with another on the right Expanding on the city comment above. This formation is intended to help you support the strikers rather than isolate...

These two posts are from another thread. The first bit looks at setting up defensively but not being 100% of your offside trap. Really doesn't matter - he did it against Switzerland where he and Behich didn't keep the offside trap. The step back is always going to be a problem and I think...

They can go to CONCACAF with their ally

We have had few marquee players, currently we have 5 visa players. Real marquees that have added to the game, Yorke and ADP - the rest have been plain visa players. We need to approach things differently - promotion and relegation is one way but while I want it I don't believe it is the...

TBH I wasn't thrilled with going to 48. But at the end of it no one was thrashed. What happens when you go to 64. Then the flip side of making it easier to qualify is that the four years in between has no tension. Where is the feeling of satisfaction in such a large qualifying cohort

I thought the inconsistency was the managers. One season at Western a goal or an assist around every 100 mins. Next two seasons not much game time.

Calling it now. While I agree with your I initial premise Popovic cannot take us to the next level and to honest his assistants at all levels have been there to implement his ways. I doubt more progressive assistants would even be considered.

Shit - anyone could have done that - he always had the skill. He did well at Western United when given a go. He was obviously on the outer at Sydney so no points from Millsy for that

It's a trap to all political parties. The government is doing what's legal and been tested in the High Court. If an alternate says they will do otherwise how do they do that? Change the Constitution - good luck with that.

The actual article is also contradictory. it mentions a hard cap of $3m plus one marquee, then it mentions going up $100,000 from $2,6m.

Same old - same old

As good as Milligan was that team was built over a couple of seasons by Stanton. It will be interesting to see how he follows up having to follow up after the squad has been decimated. To put it in context, Montgomery built his team through bringing in 13 players from the academy and then...

Yeah - actually meant the city government themselves - , guaranteeing stadium upgrades,security - high end offices for FIFA, transport and utility upgrades, logistisics around transport. Some other cities refused first up because of the cost.

From what I heard a lot of cities (as in city or county councils) will make substantial losses and will not be putting their hand up again. I suppose it depends on the changes forced on them.

Pulisic has been found out in two top 5 leagues and has a heart the size of a pea. His value to AC Milan is selling jerseys in the US and after his Rexona moment when he let the USA down - more with his comments than his game - that may well change. Richards is a good 1 v 1 defender but...

TBH I know everyone talks about Okon's ball for the Irankunda goal but for me his first job was as a HM and for that he was well behind O'Neill. With his passing range, which sometimes goes astray when playing deeper, I would like to see him competing for AM positions with McGree and Volpato...

It's not about moving to top 5. Years gone by we have a lot - but that was a different time, Now to be a home grown starter in one of those leagues is a rarity. Australians are competing with every other nation on Earth. The makeups of the leagues are quite different to 25-30 years ago. The...

That hasn't necessarily stopped the announcement in previous years. They know the designated AFC tournament matchdays and can give the teams favourable weekend scheduling brackets surrounding those blocks.

When you consider the number of teams involved we were 11th out of over 200 nations, now we are half as good at 22nd out of over 200 nations.

I have heard this week from a few people and someone confirmed Thursday. We'll see later this week but at least one of the people is usually spot on.

I can't seem tp gel these two phrases together.

Fixtures come out on Thursday. I suspect we will hear about Canberra and the Mariners ALW on that day or before

Do you think the management is a democracy? I think Popovic is more of an autocratic detail control freak. That seems to be the club feedback.

I saw one of our noted posters say qualifying was a feather on Popovic's cap in what he said was a much stronger Asia. Given the number of qualification spots I find that and incredibly hard to agree with especially when we saw the relative strength of Asia in the World Cup. I always think the...

Having watched that Rexona add so much you just have to wonder how that was pitched to Pulisic. i.e. You're not going to let us down just like Rexona won't let you down. Now it plays as Pulisic will let you down - but Rexona won't. Did he realise he was getting trolled?

When you consider the weight then the likelihood is much greater. But our main problems with the modern ball is getting with it hit rather heading the ball. Players in the wall not watching the ball properly and getting hit unprepared, being hit by a ball from one or two meters and of course the...

No doubt Popovic did plenty wrong but he is not wholly to blame. But if 2006 was the high water mark. Managers are only a small part - in reality a small part if you can pick them like BVM after Ange left. I don't want us to play Ange, I don't want us to play Popaball. I want us to be a team...

I haven't heard the actual injury but they have ruled out an ACL after scans.

I'm going at bit counter-intuitive here. A lot of the GG credit the AIS with honing their professionalism - 'a finishing school'. They also credit their NSL clubs. My take from my experience - (and remembering I played keeper for my club so not directly transferable for me at the weekend) is...

I never rated his father.

Beach is a relatively average sweeper keeper. With the way we are set up under Popovic sitting so deep his flaws are hidden. Conversely, if as everyone seems to be calling for we play more expansively and further up the field then this will be a problem. Like everyone in a squad this should be...

If fit it needs to be Farrell, Mauragis shouldn't be in contention, poor defender, great runner, poor crosser.

Yeah - that's it - set himself apart from the group. He was very emotional but it makes you wonder

I'm still a bit intrigued by Irvine post game when we lost. sounded like he was retiring from the national team or at least considering it.

Yep that was it. The games all seem to blur together at this stage.

I wouldn't rule him out. No AFC team. He had a big game recently (can't remember which) where he was highly praised.

Yes - at times - but the year before the treble - that was Mark Jackson

Yes - I really like him - but really it should be very coachable to stop him doing it. I also wonder if Beach being a newbie was not as vocal in keeping his defence set.

Expanding on the city comment above. This formation is intended to help you support the strikers rather than isolate them. does have some defensive problems when losing possession. Note that Rowles is starting - I'd prefer Herrington but don't know about his ability to play a LB role. Out of...

Really doesn't matter - he did it against Switzerland where he and Behich didn't keep the offside trap. The step back is always going to be a problem and I think if Italiano did he was very close. But the problem remains - we set up defensively and you need to be absolutely perfect every time...

Yes - the second US goal if I remember correctly.

Do we - or do we just not pick them.

I like Herrington - but he needs to stop breaking the offside trap. You would think Popovic, Okon and Foxe - all Socceroos CBs would have stopped this after the Switzerland game - you know - do their jobs as managers and coaches.

So as you said in a previous post Popovic may be responsible for 30% of our problems. So your solution is to to ignore that and stay with the status quo? He is obviously there until the Asian Cup but if I could get rid of 30% of our problems that easily it is a no-brainer.

Doesn't work for me - 9 behind - still hanging onto the bottom of page 1 - staying there is my new target.

I would have liked to see him go to NZ. Little qualification pressure and the chance to build a squad to be ready for 2030 without having a difficult qualification to worry about.

Arguably the original set up if the AIS football set up that led to the GG.

A lot of work being done on sportsmen but I would suggest that anyone growing up during the 50's 60's, 70's or even 80's where playing outside for hours was the norm would have some form of CTE from either league, aussie rules, union or simple other games like British Bulldog (by whatever name...

TBH - heading a modern ball is nothing and should not be stopped in younger players. As a 10 year old we knew not to try a sodden leather ball back in the day. Modern day balls are lightweight and the best time to teach the technique properly is when they are young. Football problems don't...

I think it was That was the thing about Ange - he wanted Australia to be one one those football mad countries - but rarely explained and bristled whenever anyone questioned his decisions.

Which also seems to be people's main problem with Popovic

Initially suspended but technically cut well after state borders were re-opened. Seemed to be a cost-cutting exercise. It initially restarted in 2008 after being cut in 2004. it matched the A league in length (minus NZ) teams. 2011 it was cut to 18 rounds. Then in 2015 it went to two conferences...

At the end of the day you have to vote for someone. TBH there was no inspiring leader in 2022 or 2025 of any party.

The killing of the the NYL in 2004 and the later 7 team small NYL really meant we missed a lot of talent.

Agree but not in its original form. The world has changed. Ages 15-18 is when players are now signing their pro-contracts. The French system is for 13-15 year olds. when they turn 16 (or earlier) they move to club academies. Kylian Mbappé moved to AS Monaco at 14. The French system also is not...

He is a pundit and like any pundit can say whatever he likes. but in general the 'reporters' rather than the pundits have given Popovic a very easy run. Even some of the pundits that are now changing their tune.

Shit - I have no idea who Poppa will pick for the Asian Cup next year - let alone 4 years from now.

He does his own homework and analyses the penalty takers hips. That means he knows what to look for in the penalty. Was that work done by Juric? Did he have access to do that himself? Did he have the time or technology for him to do it himself? Probably not - he may have been told by Juric -...

I looked at the last two season - all very good (assuming AI is right). Considering that a 1 save in 5 is considered good they all have great numbers over the last two seasons. KeeperIn-Match Penalties (Faced / Saved)Club Penalty Shootouts (Faced / Saved)Total Combined FacedTotal Combined...

As Arnie's mate you would expect Slater to say that. But it was an irrational decision in the first place. Redmayne against Peru was a relative unknown who had saved few penalties and was aware of the plan for months. Both Ryan and Vukovic had much better penalty records. The other thing was...

That is point - forget the managers and their styles. How do we consistently produce better technical players is the real question, then you play the way needed for the game.

You are correct - in some ways but Ange was signed for five years in October 2013 which meant it concluded at the end of the 2018 World Cup - but he had already resigned.

I gather when you talk about WS you mean Tony Popovic. When I quoted the bar it was the bar that both Ange and Arnold said was the fair test at the time. As far as Rene is concerned the FA are now justifying the extension of the Popovic before the World Cup by claiming 'continuity'. It is quite...

People need to remember that Redmayne has only saved about 4 penalties in his life . The Peru game was a bluff and Arnold and Crawley knew they would have nothing on Redmayne. By taking off Ryan they were bluffing that Peru would think how good must this be.

Well after my little rant I looked into the Arsene Wenger role and it seems he and or his team has been working with Football Australia since 2024. ... All states and territories are actively participating in the core FIFA Talent Development Scheme (TDS), with frequent TDS Talent ID matches...

From another thread Bring in Arsène Wenger in his official capacity as FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development to bypass domestic politics and fix the system. Wenger’s actual mandate at FIFA is to audit national high-performance ecosystems and improve global coaching standards, Football...

Bring in Arsène Wenger in his official capacity as FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development to bypass domestic politics and fix the system. Wenger’s actual mandate at FIFA is to audit national high-performance ecosystems and improve global coaching standards, Football Australia calling him...

Look - I'm not calling for any particular manager. I think the Popovic initial appointment and extension were quick short term ill-considered moves by the FA. As many have said - Football Australia currently does not have a designated Technical Director. So who is making the decisions about...

At least Egypt can be happy knowing that those who beat Australia in a knock out game win the tournament.

Not exactly a budget choice. Manager Comparison Manager Current / Most Recent Role Estimated Annual Salary (AUD) Financial & Contract Context Ange Postecoglou Al-Nassr (Saudi Pro League) $15,000,000+ Signed a historic multi-year contract in Saudi Arabia following high-earning...

It really depends on the quality of your teams. Purely on ALM terms there is no P& R. If your team is one of the best resourced team missing out of the finals is definite failure. Take it back to the Ange Brisbane - Arnie CCM days. Neither were the best resourced though Brisbane were up there...

He has already beaten Japan with his selections and tactics. (with an own goal) Others said similar things about the group stage at the WC and all through qualifying. Popaball gets results. So did Arnieball. I don't understand the idea that we can't beat better sides. The pens go the other way...

No his selection and performance is the bar. 1) What squad selection made a real difference to the team. Beach and Herrington and Volpato. Each of them were obvious by the time they were selected and his predecessor was chasing one of them four years ago. 2) What squad selections were dubious...

And then let's not forget that a green Herrington kept him onside just as he did for the goal when we played Switzerland. Just as well we had three international CBs in the coaching box to make sure these avoidable mistakes don't get repeated.

I couldn't see the value in the extension when it was given. I certainly don't agree with it now. Pay out his 6 months contract and make the change. We will play UAE, Sth Korea, Iran and Japan in the knockouts. We are not winning any of the last three with his squad selections and tactics.

How is that down to him - he replaced Miller with Italiano because of injury and brought in a generational talent in Herrington. The rest were in place and working well beforehand.

Let him prove himself as recovered from his ACL first. I really expect him to be in the ALM this season

We have the skill and depth - we just didn't pick them. We picked a squad to play the Popovic way and the subs were just worse players than the starters to play the Popovic way. Australia has talent and skill - not to the extent of Spain or Brazil - but better than some in the squad. I'm not...

Why was tour CB taking the first penalty Why was an 18 year old taking a penalty. Everyone blaming Nestory for the goal but in reality the guy was onside because Herrington wasn't keeping a straight line, same as against Switzerland. I'm not blaming an 18 year old, but we had three CBS and a...

You missed my point - investors, who you are encouraging to invest to provide housing stock are investing for the capital gain and negative gearing, not to increase housing stock if it is vacant.

Don't kid yourself - we will be helped from now on. The USA have to get rid of the big guns. Beware France, Spain, Argentina, England.

A cause - but I don't even think it is the major one. In the 2021 Census, there were over a million unoccupied private dwellings in Australia on census night. That was close to 10% of the national housing stock at the time. Now there can be good reasons. People on holidays. Renos, holiday...

Didn't get much of a chance behind Lucas. But looks okay right across the back line. Only young

They did the same to CCM with Lewis Miller.

Of the top of my head and probably missing some - some still NPL, some ALM, some OS James Overy, Amlani Tatu, ,Haine Eames, Dylan Leonard, Medin Memeti, Clayton Taylor, Eli Adams, Dylan Periac-Cullen, Jaylan Pearman, Daniel Bennie, Waturo Kamijo, Miguel Di Pizio, Marcus Younis, Luka Jovanovic...

If you read the document and think of the time frame it rings true. The fact it was personal musing and not what was ultimately done does certainly mitigate it though. Given his worry about Japan it does make you wonder about 'pig-iron' Bob though.

2038 almost certainly 64 teams.

What a crock of shit. We were maybe looking shaky at qualifying for the World Cup at the first stage. Not missing out altogether. And Popovic set us out wrong against the US - that shocking half could have cost us just as Germany did for Pim. As it was it was a tight-rope to get to the 32. His...

I'm not nervous or confident. It comes down to this is the easiest team we have faced in a knockout round so it represents a great chance. That said it won't be easy. Egypt have a very good team - not just Salah (whether he plays or not). A good performance, a bit of luck and a referee that is...

Yeah. Pretty much spot on. Football everywhere with the occasional NRL game.

I''ll develop it - at least $648m in profit.

Definitely a rehab project. But could be huge.

https://ccmariners.com.au/news/australian-youth-international-midfielder-oli-ocarroll-signs-scholarship/

What about Metcalfe?

Without knowing the ins and outs of his case Sydney and WSW have a tendency to favour 'athletes' over footballera. Bit of a generalisation but it is a very important criteria for them. So if Christian was smaller than the rest of his cohort he probably doesn't get very far.

Could have come to CCMFC - we take their rejects all the time ;)

MCG and Adelaide Oval are not FIFA compliant for a World Cup I would go with this 14 initially All existing (6) Lang Park, Sydney Football Stadium, Stadium Australia, Jakarta International Stadium, Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium Major upgrade (2) Expand MRS to 50000 Eden...

I'd avoid the AFL and let the Premiers fight the battles. Let the Home Nations and Ireland take 2038 - we take 2042. We offer 16 stadiums not including Perth, Victoria Park, MCG or Marvel but including an expanded MRS with Indonesia and NZ. The premiers will complain about their states being...