That’s not a bad looking side 😀

I reckon an AM and a foreign CM/DM and we should be set for a good season.

Any rumors going around on what nationally this new cm/dm visa could be? Been looking at off contract players on the transfermarket but there are just so many. 

I also do hope they still look for another good am if De Silva doesn't come through, I just hope they don't fall back and settle on Holman. 

@ Mr. B.

I think DDS will go to City personally, he’s desperate to get back to Europe and unless Roma block CFG I think that’s where he’ll go.

Alternatives are O’Doherty at Adelaide who we were linked with, Holman (like you I’m not thrilled at that prospect - I think the whole thing has become a “job” for him and he’s lost the passion to play), or go overseas.

Re the visa/DM - this is where they’ve hinted they’ll use their marquee cash. Which makes sense. No rumours though, I know Craig Moore was scouting for Roar in Europe and Latin America and I understand Broich is helping out in Germany. So maybe there? A big bloody German wouldn’t go amiss.

Yea, I am hoping we do get De Silva but I understand if he would rather go to City for obvious reasons.

O'Doherty hey, didn't watch much of Adelaide this season, I'll check him out.

On Holman, to me he doesn't seem to me as a real team player, likes to do his own thing on the field and is just not consistent enough. Comes in patches and when it doesn't go his way his head goes down and blames others, reminds me of Nichols a bit. Add in the injures I just don't think he is worth the money he is after. 

Thanks for the info on the new Visa/DM, gives me a ballpark at least.

Mr B

Someone used transfermark to produce a list to narrow down a list of 4 Scandinavian wingers so you never know

Nice, I'll see what names I can come up with. 

A season to forget but there were still some moments of brilliance.

Here are all the goals this season.

Excellent job there Mr. B, as usual shared it around a few sites 👍

Let’s hope next year it runs a lot longer 😀

Cheers, no problem.

Looking forward to next season :D

This so much.

Sometimes he pulls a rabbit out of a hat and scores a cracker. But they're far and few between.

Not enough to disrupt the team cohesion time and time again when he's on the field.

I have to admit, nearly every one his goals that I can remember have been crackers.

But you are right, he is not worth it if he disrupts the team cohesion on the field. 

So DDS has signed with City.Plan B?

Visa? Don't know who is off contract.

Not sure being a bitter fan but I find it's a poor move to go to city. It has a terrible culture, he will just waste his time maybe making the bench.

Where did you hear/read that? Confirmed?

https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2018/05/06/de-silva-opts-melbourne-city-roars-expense

Sucks we couldn't get him. Wouldn't be surprised if he rots on the bench there. I liked the idea of his speed behind Taggart. O'Doherty has a lot of promise but isn't quite at the level of DDS yet. I wouldn't mind going after him and leaving Holman behind. The lack of noise on Holman makes me think we will just settle and re-sign him but which sucks

In order of preference:

1. DDS ❌
2. O’Doherty ❓
3. Visa ❓❓
4. Waz
5. Holman ⚠️

Pretty much 😂😂😂
I'd have Akbari at 5 and Holman at 6

The playmaker role is critical if Roar have any chance next season.As this season proved having noone but Holman or BKF meant a dysfunctional team all season.
I don't understand why people think O'Doherty is up to this .At AU he was no playmaker .Nowhere near a Bratten or Petrat.A visa player is the only option i see.

What about Vargas?

And if DDS is going to City then Stefan Mauk is a spare part can’t imagine his Dutch masters will be happy? Add him to the list?

Mauk would be a good pick up for us , I recon DDS is way over hyped tbh , did very little this year with CCM , City will be his third A league club , plus Roda this will be 4 clubs in 5 seasons , sometimes you need stability in life as in football.

Seeing as we have a few of our young talents holding down starting eleven positions I'd say it's a wise move. Proof is there that he will be played based on merit as have the other players.

@Jonsnow

There's a good chance that he can find that stability with us if he puts his head down and works hard for it. Joyce has been pretty transparent with what he's looking for in players. Vidosic, after moving around a lot, is a great example of a player who appears to be settled and happy to stay.

I’d definitely take Mauk. City can’t guarantee game time to him, DDS and Wales.

Mauk is on loan from N.E.C. and they’ll want him to have game time not play off the bench or make up squad numbers. Is there room for Mauk, Arzani and DDS in the City starting line-up? Doubtful but you never know, the judgement at City has often been lacking and they often behave like a spoilt brat wanting his cake and to eat it.

Is Mauk the right 10 for Roar? I’m not so sure. O’Doherty is younger and less proven but is far more direct which is what Aloisi’s style needs - that front 4 have to be as fast as whippets.

The other option is a more experienced 10, someone like Vargas (not saying him necessarily but someone with that creative flair, an early 30’s Broich even?)

With seemingly 20 contracted players we’ve only got two big signings to come, AM and DM, both could be visa players but only one can have big money.

Mathew Ridenton is another name to throw out there, as a DM he’d fit in really well allowing money to be spent on the AM. He’s already announced he’s leaving Nix to come to Australia which normally means he’s got a club lined up though (Wanderers?)

Don't want Ridenton or Vargas. Don't really want boring recycled players tbh. Mauk I would take but. Young and can score goals (a bit overrated imo but would be solid as a second striker/#10)

I wouldn’t say either Ridenton or Vargas are boring.

Ridenton is one of the brightest young prospects in the competition and Vargas, for the little we’ve seen, looks to be a genius.

A Ridenton would be cheap allowing money to go to the AM. There’s going to be a compromise in one of those two positions.

And the “recycling” bit is just nonsense imo. The EPL has a similar merry go round and people live with that.

I understand what he is getting at with the "recycling" comment....the EPL has 22 clubs with squads of 30 or more players. They also have second third and fourth divisions to pick from i.e over 2500 players ....and this does not take into account the player pools of the Scottish leagues and Europe .
We have 10 clubs with squads of 23 max i.e 230 players ( plus a "very occasional" NPL player)
We have a much much smaller pool so it can get monotonous seeing the same (often uninspiring) players moving around clubs .
Oxborrow at Roar was a prime example if this for me .
Having said that...it is what it is ..until we get a real and competitive second tier this won't change.