Joint bids makes sense but not with a second NRL team on the Gold Coast as the NRL can barely keep the Titans afloat. That joint bid would have next to buckley's getting through the first phase.

Any news/rumours on where Borrello and Clut may be heading?? Overseas or to another a-league club???

So what about Polenz?Surely he will leave by mutual consent.
Aloisi should be looking for fullbacks.
The lack of pace on the left side ( when Steff and Broich are there)contributes to the long balls to McClaren.
Also defensively,the midfielders still struggle to win the ball.
When three of them together can't get the ball off Bonavacia and compound the problem by conceding a foul,it shows a weakness.I can't really say we have a decent defensive midfielder.

We pretty much outplayed Nix for 90 minutes but we remain vulnerable on counter attacks, Young/North did well to keep us in it. Roar are trying to land Merradith fit left back and I'm not sure what they'll do about RB as neither Polenz or Hingert are convincing. I think we might see Hervas moving to defensive mid and Corona pushed forward

Hinget has played really well this season. and does a tonne of work in attach and defence, If we could land Meredith that would be sick. he showed good ability for the Socceroos and he's about 28 I think as would have afew good seasons in him. is that an official rumour or did you just come up with it?

Getting rid of Polenz opens another Vias spot. Jonny boy has recruited well so far from oversees so interesting to see who he gets. other Aussies out there that could be loured home include, a loan stint for Brillante, Kilkenny in DM, Scot Mac up front, Yeboah* for a loan?

If Borrello and Clut leave there will be some obvious holes in the front third To fill as well. Solórzano and Ricky are great but too injury prone.

Reading in the Courier Mail today Borrello is going no where until seasons end.. could just be a smoke screen..

I'm not sure I understand the delay with Borrello. The clubs apparently made several offers so what's he waiting for?

Michael Theo and Luke DeVer both started for the NYL Team this morning v Adelaide. Providing they pull through okay that means we will have a full squad available for selection for the first time in almost 2 years :)

Following on from Waz's post our youth team is now 10-0 up against Adelaide, handy bunch of players coming through.

Agreed. John Aloisi copped a bit of flack when had let the bulk of last seasons youth squad go, he said he wanted to focus the youth team on developing players for first team football in two seasons time and not (just) winning the NYL. Good to see today's performance albeit bolstered by a couple of over age players :)

10-0 is insane against the current leaders and we were second last in Conf A.
Clut a hatrick and Sawyer 5.
What's going on with the NYL?
CCM beat WSW's 7-2.


Edited by crimsoncrusoe: 19/12/2015 03:49:16 PM

Edited by crimsoncrusoe: 19/12/2015 03:50:19 PM

I understand he is concerned about playing time and which other players we re-sign.
He really should have made the most of it when his stock was sky high after round 4/5 then demanded a transfer later if he wanted.

Depth not a big problem at Roar it seems.

Maybe when they reach the final third ....they actually shoot ?


Edited by miron mercedes: 19/12/2015 04:27:35 PM

Roars NYL team isn't too shabby, the core of the team were runners up last season then today add in Theo in goal, DeVere in defence and Clut in midfield and its s good team (Clearly at 10-0 right)

Re the core would be good if Aloisi gives some of them some first team opportunities.

Why??? several of our starters are already under 23 so why??? Just for the sake of it?

Because if they're not too shabby wouldn't it make sense to give them a sniff of the bench so they hang around. Remember Geria

Well we can't just put them on the bench in the hope they'll stay around, the first team squad is capped on dollars and number of players so the supply of youth is always going to exceed capacity of the first team squad. Then if you're playing youth/putting them on the bench who do you leave out - Lustica, Hervas, Henrique are all struggling for regular game time? I think Roars record is amongst the best in the league for youth development and transition into the first team - 8 out of the current squad of 24 came through the NYL (8/19 Australian players) which is excellent. So I take your point but realistically there's only so much a club can do right

Maclaren looks good for Sunday but Lustica has been ruled out for at least a week. Plenty of questions for JA - what does he do with the midfield now? And does he recall Borrello to the right wing? Does Petratos get a start? Where does Hervas fit? .... not a criticism BUT I don't think JA knows his best combinations which is a worry coming up against a sidd that's starting to find its feet !!

Really there is two spots up for grabs. Right wing and right am. Hervas is only just getting fit. Lustica is a bit of a lost. I am just hoping our efficiency increase otherwise its going to be a bit of a disaster.

On a side note they sent out new members passed for everyone. Got my replacement today.

Agreed on the two spots up for grabs, I wonder if we'll see Hervas starting in the defensive mid role freeing Corona up for the am role; right wing is a toss up between Petratos and Henrique then.

DeVere is back in contention for a starting position. Does JA break up the Bowles/North combo and bring DeVere in or stick with what's working?

I think JA should bring DeVere off the bench. There is no need to rush a player back from injury when you've got a CB combo that's working well. If he does well in a couple of 20 minute appearance and is training better than Bowles or North, then bring him back into the starting line-up and see if it improves the team. Would feel bad for Bowles if he got dropped though, he's done well.

He's in contention but a long way from being match fit. He was absolutely buggered after playing that youth game and clearly has some way to go before a 90 minute display. That makes the decision to keep Bowles/North going easier for the time being.

I truth a fit DeVere just has too much quality not to be in the first 11. Probably would bring him in for North when he's ready.

I'd go with that as well. Match fitness takes time so presumably January on the bench, then keep Bowles for sure - question is will JA break up the form CB partnership without injury, suspension or a dip in individual form. I'm not sure he will even though like you I think DeVere is too good to warm the bench

North or Devere into DM would be worth a go at some stage.
Devere is prone to brain snaps,so it would be good to see what he could do covering the back four.Plus as we know he is good with the ball and can beat players one on one.
A few food CB's have moved to DM and done well.It's what Roar lacks and having size in that position would be a bonus too.
Also playing a 442 diamond could work as a plan B.

Edited by crimsoncrusoe: 30/12/2015 02:30:32 PM

If only one of our CBs was left footed.

Why? Is there a problem?