One of the guys on the MH forum posted this:

"A dutch twitter account, PSV Clubwatcher, which has roughly 4 thousand followers, tweeted an hour ago that:

Former # PSV midfielder Orlando Engelaar seems on the way to Australia to Melbourne Heart sign a contract."

Rumour floating around Twitter that Heart are tapping up Brent McGrath.

You guys thought on this?

McGrath would be a great signing if true. I think Heart need another centre forward, as I can only think of Macallister as their only out-and-out striker (with Williams and Golgol being preferred on the wings).

Aloisi's has made some brilliant signings so far: Kewell, Ramsay, Engelaar, Murdocca, Wielaert and now possibly McGrath. Should hopefully be a good season for you guys if the team gels well.

Two ex-Brondby strikers? Neither of which ever scored many goals...

I don't see how it's tapping up though since he's uncontracted.

Whoops - didn't know he was out of contract.

Would be pretty pleased with McGrath. I think he's a centre forward who could do well at Heart.

Also, we'd always have 3 attacking players around him, like Kewell, Williams (or Ramsay) and Dugandzic (or Golgol), who should be able to chip in with goals often enough. So, given that we wouldn't be too dependent on McGrath for goals, I'd be happy for Heart to sign him up.

the lismore game will have a big crowd, a lot of brisbane fans and fans keen on seeing kewell. wonder if engelaar will be here for that game

Engelaar starts training with us late next week, so hopefully is able to sneak in at least 45 minutes against the roar

C'mon Engelaar,C'mon Engelaar, C'mon Engelaar...

Need some help, people. Can you please post here your MOST LIKELY Starting XI + Subs, including formation, for Round 1?

Redmayne
Walker-Gerhardt-Weilart-Behich
Engelaar-Murdocca
Duganzic-Kewell-Williams
Macalister (or other new striker)

Subs: Velaphi, Vrankovic, Kalmar, Mebrathu/Ramsay

Isn't it going to be an extended bench this year?

I'm hoping for this:

Redmayne
Walker-Gerhardt-Weilart-Behich
Engelaar-Murdocca
Duganzic-Kewell-Ramsey
Mebrathu (or as you stated, maybe a new striker signing, including McGrath)

Gerhardt is suspended isn't he?

Vrankovic will come in for the derby instead.

I always thought Williams is right footed but he always seems to be listed on the left-which I don't mind if he cuts inside a bit like Robben ans Ribary do

Not a bad replacement.

He did ok in games last year in a side that really had very limited support in front of him.

Very happy with the Engelaar signing.

My full strength team would be:

Redmayne
Walker - Vrankovic - Wielaert - Behich
Engelaar - Gerhardt
Dugandzic
Mehbratu - Williams
Kewell

Bench: Velaphi, Germano, Ramsay, Kalmar

I still think we need to sign one more CB (preferably young and cheap) and perhaps a striker.

Vrankovic is a great young defender who needs to be playing each week, even if coming off the bench. Thats why i'd prefer to see Gerhardt playing in DM (where he belongs) where between he and Engelaar, we control the game and give the younger defenders (Vrankovic, Walker, Mitchinson) extra support. Gerhardt as a CB is a waste of his talent, and Vrankovic out of the squad is a waste of his.

Kalmar and Dugandzic to make special appearance at Roxburgh Park

Monday, 19 August 2013 10:13 AM

To celebrate the million dollar-plus transformation of Westpac Roxburgh Park into one of the bank's new branches of the future, Melbourne Heart's Mate Dugandzic and Nick Kalmar will be making a special appearance in-branch on Monday 19th August.

Westpac customers and locals will have the opportunity to meet Mate and Nick in person and have their photo taken, as well as go into the draw to win the lucky door prize, including four tickets to the first Melbourne Heart home game scheduled for later this year.

The Westpac Roxburgh Park branch is one of a handful of locations across the country which has recently benefited from an initial multi-million dollar investment program which offers a new and improved approach to face-to-face service.

Westpac is a principal sponsor of the Melbourne Heart Football Club.

Player Appearance Details
Monday 19th August 2013
Time: 4pm – 5pm
Where:   Westpac Roxburgh Park, 250 Somerton Road, Roxburgh Park VIC
Who: Melbourne Heart FC players Mate Dugandzic and Nick Kalmar Westpac Roxburgh Park Bank Manager Trevor Little.
Why: To celebrate the new look and feel of the Roxburgh Branch and Westpac’s sponsorship of the Melbourne Heart FC

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/melbourneheart/news-display/Kalmar-and-Dugandzic-to-make-special-appearance-at-Roxburgh-Park/73042?

News Videos | Photos Westpac offer for members Wednesday, 4 September 2013 3:20 PM


Melbourne Heart FC are pleased to have announced a new three-year deal with principal partner Westpac and as a result, Westpac is giving Melbourne Heart FC members a fantastic merchandise offer.

As an added benefit of the Westpac partnership announcement, Westpac are kindly backing a merchandise discount on 2012-13 Kappa home and away on-field apparel for only $25.

This offer will start from the membership tent at tonight’s game against Oakleigh Canons.

The offer applies to existing 2013-14 Melbourne Heart FC members, who can buy a 2012-13 Red and White home jersey for $25, or a 2012-13 away jersey, also for $25.

Members will have to use their online account username and password to access the discount at our Club Shop.

Additionally, there will be limited sizes in stock available and all online orders will be fulfilled by Friday 27 September.

Wednesday 4 September 2013
Pre-season Friendly
Oakleigh Cannons vs. Melbourne Heart FC
Kingston Heath Soccer Complex, Cheltenham
Kick-Off: 7.30pm
http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/melbourneheart/news-display/Westpac-offer-for-members/74203?

That was the Pre-season that was...

A largely uninspiring pre-season results wise with some big wins over minnows and narrow defeats to A-league opposition. Despite the results what can be garnered from twitter reports (from players) and in brief conversations with the fitness/coaching staff is that the team have worked hard in the off season. Lots of fitness stuff to really boost our capacity to see out matches.

The personnel changes have been huge with retirements from a number of foundation players namely Bolton, Colosimo and Thompson. The biggest inclusions are obviously Kewell, Engelaar and Mifsud all quality but (as MV fans have stated) all over 30. Engelaar's injury was a bitter pill but hopefully he'll be fit for our season run in. With the season running until May if we can find ourselves in contention in February he may just be like a new signing. Speaking of new signings in addition to the three listed above the other notable additionsa are in defence with Kisnorbo, Wielart (apols for spelling) and Velaphi. Murdocca, Ramsay and Migliorini add to a fairly strong midfield but for me the signing of the off-season is the return of Aziz Behich - the guy is Red and White through and through and to see him marauding the left wings will be a sight to behold once more!

Other news on the player front is the return (from injury) of Duganzic and last season's late form of Kalmar are positive signs despite the departure of Garcia. Much will rest on the form, and one would hope improvement, of Gerhardt, Williams, Golgol, Germano and Redmayne as well as the development of Vrankovic, Garrucio, Mitchinson, Mauk and Walker. One would suspect that Macalister and Hoffman will really play small roles this year but you never know - perhaps they may just offer a surprise!

The season begins with a bang but looking beyond the derby we have some tough matches against CCM (home) and then some tough away matches against a rejuvenated Perth and what's shaping as a strong Brisbane side before our second home match against Premiers WSW. A tough start to the year so JA will want to get off to a solid start or the nay-sayers may be circling.

Off the field we've had a good start to our memberships numbers despite the obscure membership campaign based around 'believe'. I'm not sure what I'm meant to be believing in - is it JA? is it that we can win the league? Or is it something more ephemeral - like being around at the start of the season as we have had a number of stouches with our good friends at South Melbourne Hellas this off season. In any case the membership targets are climbing, outstripping last season's figures in comparison but these too have dried up somewhat in the final weeks.

Despite this off-season not living up to the heights I'm not sure why but I think we might be a sneaky creeper this season perhaps finishing as high as 3rd or 4th and earning our first home final - I think Mifsud should make a real difference to our capacity to finish off good forward moves and in Kisnorbo we should be a lot more resolute in defence... my only question mark is on Redmayne. If he can take his game to a new level - really 'believe' that he belongs at this level, commands his box and steps up then we will be a contender.

Prediction - 4th

What do you make of our off season and what are your thoughts on the year ahead?

4th is a bit high, but perhaps achievable if everything clicks into gear and we play the football we are capable of.

Besides Mifsud, who else is unavailable for round 1?

Engelaar might struggle to be fit for round 1.

You would think a keen fan of a football club would know how to spell the names of key players like Dugandžić correctly.

4th is a very optimistic outlook for a squad that has had the most turnover out of any in the league. Particularly as you have replaced key players from last season (Garcia, Babalj, Colosimo, Thompson etc) with a bunch of journeymen.

Bottom 6 for sure.

Well if that's the case I think JA will field this 11

Redmayne
Walker - Kisnorbo - Wielaert - Behich
Gerbhardt - Murdocca
Kewell
Dugandzic - Williams - Ramsay

BENCH: Velaphi - Vrankovic - Migliorini - Mebrahtu - Kalmar(if fit)

I've heard that Gerhardt has a suspension hanging over him so that means either Germano or Kalmar would slot in at CM, maybe even Migliorini. Not concerned so much with round 1 as I am with the first 5 rounds. If we start poorly JA will be on the back foot all season - and if that's the case his MO when backed into a corner is to play oldies over youth which would be a big detriment to our side/club overall.

There is enough talent here to give the season a real shake but as I indicated earlier it'll be up to Redmayne to make sure there is confidence from back to front. When we play our best football we can beat anyone.

I've heard from reliable sources that Gerhardt is able to play in the Derby, as his suspension has already been served in the pre-season (against A-League opposition).

So all up, Engelaar, Mifsud, Macallister and Germano will be unavailable for round 1.

Our pre-seasons are always the same. They don't really indicate anything, as our 2nd season was pretty good despite having a pre-season similiar to last season's pre-season.

I think we're shaping up for our best season. There was a large turnover with our team, but it's left our squad much strengthened over last season's squad. We lost a lot of deadwood, namely Colosimo, Thompson, Bolton and Fred. And our recruits are superior to the players they replaced.

Given our strong and balanced squad, I see us finishing 5th or 6th, with an outside chance that we could finish 4th.


The round 1 XI I think Alosi will play:

--------------Redmayne----------------

Walker - Kisnorbo - Wielaert - Behich

-----------Gerhardt Murdocca----------

---Dugandzic Kewell Ramsay---

---------------Williams---------------


My preferred round 1 XI:

--------------Redmayne----------------

Walker - Kisnorbo - Wielaert - Behich

--------Migliorini Murdocca-----------

Dugandzic Kewell Ramsay

---------------Mebrahtu---------------


Edited by Murfy1: 1/10/2013 01:54:53 PM

Reckon we could see JA employ a back 3 with Kisnorbo, Wielaert and Gerbahdt/Vrankovic with Walker and Behich as wing backs????

It could work, then have Williams and Mate up front and Kewell in the middle dropping in and feeding those 2? Would be super quick and great on the counter

Edited by apillay12: 1/10/2013 08:03:20 PM

A back 3 could conceivably work pretty well this season, given that we now have four good centrebacks in Kisnorbo, Gerhardt, Wielaert and Vrankovic. A back three of Kisnorbo Wielaert and Gerhardt could be pretty effective IMO.

And it would give Walker and Behich more freedom to run up field, which they are both great at.

Aloisi doesn't seem to experiment very much though, so it's hard to know if we'll play a back 3 at some point. Hopefully Aloisi is a bit more experimental this season, because I reckon a back 3 is worth trying.

Would be a good idea but they've not played it in any of their pre-season matches (as far as I can tell) and it's a little bit putting the cart before the horse - what I mean is it would be playing that way only because of who they have in the squad not because it's the way he has planned to play all along...

Man I so wish we had Engelaar fit - was so looking forward to him tearing it up this season! :x

The Heart are on track for 6,000 members by the first home game on the 19th of October.