why dont we have any right backs or left backs?Is it because all the youngsters want to score goals or be midfielders and hate having to play as a defender?

:(
Surely he'll retire now? How could you possibly stay motivated?!?

We don't have goal scorers either...

agree quality strikers are hard to find worldwide.i find it strange that so many players cannot score after years of practise.

This almost feels like a joke. It's like Rhys injures himself EVERY TIME he steps onto a field. He has to be the most fragile footballer in world football having had 74 injuries by the age of 26.

Surely he's considering retirement. What's the point spending 12 months rehabilitating for every 5 minutes of game time.

Boro manager says it's long-term:


The Australian international broke down just one minute into his first senior start since last January.

He collapsed to the turf and was stretchered off with Karanka later confirming that the injury was similar to the torn Achilles tendon he suffered in a league game against Wigan 11 months ago.

Williams later reappeared from the tunnel using crutches and he's unlikely to play again this season.

Karanka said: "Rhys will have a scan but it's a long term injury.

"We are not sure if it's exactly the same as the last injury but it's similar and that's the worst possible thing for him.

"I just want to pass on to him my best wishes."

http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aitor-karanka-rhys-williams-scan-8378952

Think it's game over for rhys. Did his brother play last night?

Far out.

No. Hasn't played for a few months. Coincidently it was Barnsley vs Middlesborough last night.

Poor Rhys.

His contract expires at the end of this season. I'd be very surprised if he's offered a new one. Wouldn't be surprised if he retires.

Could have been an important players for the Socceroos. It's a shame his body's so fragile.

He should've left English football previously when his injuries were first being to mount. Sadly, I agree with a number of other 442 posters that its time to retire.

So Pulis was in charge of West Brom last night game finished 7-0.

He's done his groin, "only" been out since the 9th of November, however, not sure how long to go until he's back. Seems to be first choice for Barnsley when he's fit.

It's Williams #3, Aryn, who really went AWOL, debuted aged 17 for Burnley before going to the WANPL with Floreat Athena, and is now clubless.

How much of this is Borough's fault though? maybe they pushed him to come back to early? He has been at Borough throughout all of his injuries, maybe its time he came back home to the A-league??

another decent site for streams if you'r elooking later for the Overseas streams click the +1 for Acestream

http://www.footballstream.tv/

Edited by highkick05: 4/1/2015 03:36:30 PM

He could do a Vince Grella and sign for Melbourne City. Take the free money but be too injured to play throughout your whole contract.

Sucks for Williams but great result for Wright. Return from injury, captained the team (normal captain rested) and got a win + clean sheet vs a decent team in the division above. Hopefully he will be back as a permanent part of the starting XI.

Apparently Eli Babalj has been left out of AZ summer camp in Portugal? Wonder if a loan or transfer is on the cards?
Actually according to this it seems it could happen
http://www.noordhollandsdagblad.nl/sport/az/article27275691.ece/Rosheuvel-en-Babalj-mogen-vertrekken-bij-AZ?lref=r_sport

Giannou's goal from the other day is the first highlight here, nothing special. Stuff up from defender and counter attack.

[youtube]?v=yKzDQaCw2AI[/youtube]

Halloran's nominated for goal of the month on Sportschau

Leckie is involved in Lex's nomination

http://www.sportschau.de/tdm/abstimmung/

Edited by playmaker11: 5/1/2015 10:44:32 PM

00:00WST / 03:00EST   Al-Nasr - Al-Wasl (Holman)

Then Liverpool later Jones and Smith most likely not playing

Holman played the 90 in a goalless draw.

cap him!

I can't believe he is 30, i thought he would be at least 32 by now #-o

Close enough to halfway through the season, I thought it was worth putting together a scoring chart for the OS Aussies. All information taken from Transfermarkt including Cup games. Feel free to add players I have missed & update as the season progresses.

Giannou - 7 goals , 1 assist, 18 games
Leckie - 4g, 6a, 19gm
Troisi - 4g, 4a, 16gm
Luongo - 3g, 6a, 23gm
McDonald - 3g, 6a, 25gm
Cahill - 3g, 3a, 25gm
Bozanic - 3g, 0a, 12gm
Vidosic - 2g, 5a, 16gm
Halloran - 2g, 2a, 11gm
Oar - 0g, 7a, 13 gm
Kruse - 0g, 1a, 7gm

Edited by Aljay: 7/1/2015 12:11:37 PM

Things that stand out for me
- NYRB ain't getting the best out of Timmy
- Tommy has a heck of a lot of assists
- McDonald is over the hill
- Doesn't matter if he doesn't fit the style we play right now, Ange is being negligent by not capping Giannou. Our leading OS scorer who is playing in a mid-level Euro league above the A-League and only 24 years old. Certainly doing better than Juric is right now.

Another player who this thread was tracking last year who seems to have fallen off the radar is Thomas Mrcela in Croatia. He seems to have handled the step up in teams pretty well and has started 14 out of the last 15 games for the team coming 5th in the HNL. Given he plays a position we struggle to get depth in and plays in a league arguably better than the A-League I would've thought he would be worth a look by calling into camp. A centre-back who is currently 24 years old could still be a factor in 6-8 years time. If we are calling up the likes of Bailey Wright from the English 3rd level, this guy probably needs a look too.

On another note - Steve Ugarkovic seems to have fallen down the pecking order with 2 starts, 6 sub appearances and often not in the squad this season. The sceptical part of me wonders if this has to do with him choosing to represent Australia, but not sure.

Edited by Aljay: 7/1/2015 12:29:09 PM

Pretty sure Giannou has made his allegiance to Greece known, and hence is off the radar. Otherwise I'm sure given Ange's Greek connections he would've been called up by now.

Didn't know that. I know Ange went to watch him and didn't select him after that but I thought that it was because he didn't fit the style. It could have been that Giannou told him "no thanks".