No worries. Thanks mate!

Could Powell replace MacLaren?

A Very bad replacement.... But we do need a player that can ship 10 goals a year like ricky did. Unless borello can find some goal scoring form again, we look a little short in that department. I don't think Powell is that player with him really scoring a lot of games in what 3 or 4 games. Doesn't point to a consistent goal scorer. Given the recent youth promotion, we already got broich, oar on the left and borello, petrat and brady on the right. It not like we really need someone like powell. Sydney on the other hand with the unfortunate diagnosis of naumoff, they definitely have a need for him.

This time last year (pre-season games) Aloisi was playing Petratos as the striker when Maccers wasn't playing, very successfully too, and I wonder if he might go back to that if this eventuates?

I really do think petrat position is a central striker. He not quick enough for a winger or has a good cross. Not creative enough or defensive enough to be in midfield. He is an really odd player where his skill sets don't really match up perfectly with your stereotypical positions.

But i really like to see us use broich centrally with two holding with mckay and corona. oar on the left, borello or petrat on the right and jamie in the center. I think that would be very deadly.

I've never really thought of using Petratos as a striker, but it'd be interesting to see. He loves to shoot, but since he mostly plays in midfield he usually ends up taking shots from well outside the box, and unsurprisingly isn't that successful. He doesn't have the decision making ability to play in midfield, so maybe pushing him higher up the field and telling him to just focus on goals would actually free him a little bit.

I like the suggestion to use Broich as a 10. Since Corona can't really defend that well, I think having Matt sit deeper next to him would sure up our defence. It would also allow Broich to forgo some of his defensive responsibilities and focus on creating. When we break, he's often in our defensive third marking the opposition full back and can't contribute to the counter.

Pet-rat's a hard one to evaluate as nobody can seem to agree if he's any good of not. His stats were outstanding last year (7 goals, 7 assists, woodwork 4 times, 81% pass accuracy and a 90% win rate on his tackles). His range of passing was crucial in freeing up Maclaren last season so if Maccers were to leave part of the value he brings would diminish unless we signed a similar player. Having seen him pre-season in the striking role the thought doesn't worry me but until he's bagged 10-15 goals in a season we don't know uc he can do it

So anyone know about whats going on with devere? did he train today?

This whole situation really pissing me off with the loss of doncs.

Powell? More evidence that JA simply has little respect for adding ball playing players to the team, rather he's reducing that quality. But that's OK, let's hoof it to Jamie, hell run.

Yep he trained today. A guy on the roar forum said he's got close friends with Devere and they said the rumours of him retiring are totally false.

From journo Vince Rugari on Twitter:

Brisbane Roar fans, Luke DeVere was at training today and he's fine. Reports he could retire due to injury are wrong. #aleague #aapsport

Edited by BRFC_92: 11/7/2016 01:24:54 PM

That's good news, and here's a quote from someone who was there (a fan):

"yes I went to the training this morning and stayed for an hour. From 10.30-10.45am they two or three television crews interviewed JA. It might be on TV tonight Marco was there too.
The training started about 10.50 and I stayed till about 11.45. Yes Devere did train with the rest of the squad(24 including the two keepers) he did everything everyone else did but the first hour that I was there was spent on excersises no ball work stretching running etc. The NPL and youth squad made up about 10 of the squad give or take.i did not see the German right back Polenz there. The training was at Griffith Uni"

Original quote at: http://www.brisbaneroar.com.au/article/brisbane-roars-jade-north-named-naidoc-sportsperson-of-the-year/mc7jzxj0egsq1gu50r2pq670o

Man completely forgot we had polenz. He needs to improve his crossing if he wants to be anywhere near the side.

Lol. Not a chance of that, he was in Germany last week so I'd expect he's just given time off for jet lag.

Also another news report said Cobb would complete the takeover in the next few weeks. Don't get the delay but hey, I wouldn't buy a second hand car from the Bakries ;)

Edited by Waz: 11/7/2016 02:14:45 PM

Decent read, there's a similar one on SBS:

http://www.a-league.com.au/article/new-brisbane-roar-signings-to-excite-fans-vows-john-aloisi/ea7yee7ytl4tz2yrykab534a

All i hope with losing the bakries is that it more than just cobbs taking ownership. Bakries are tight arses and don't want to spend but at least they have the money. Cobbs doesn't have the money.

Interesting comments in the article. To me we are fine in the final third/ attacking palyers. We need to look in the more defensive/ midfield department. Which is the exact opposite in what aloisi said. Unless we can get the youth players up to speed we are deep trouble with a suspension or injury away from our already dodgy defense having a big hole in it.

Also wonder if said player is holman.

Reasonable comment except for the first sentence. If JA is talking about a real quality close to marquee status as an up front men then OK but please no more ordinary squaddies.

Agreed. We've only got three forwards so a third is a necessity, with 5 squad positions open I would have thought 2 attackers, 2 midfielders and a left back would have been good. Not sure who's going to cover brown at LB other than Hingert. Either way, 2 of the signings have to be high impact - be nice if Roar had five visa players that all command a starting position, first time in years if that happens

Didn't we get the olyroos left back to join us. Can't remember but we signed two or three up and comings in the close of the season.

You're tight - Rowles is a CB and O’Toole is a left back

Polenz is going, which makes even more sense of Peppers signing:

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/football/a-league/jerome-polenz-set-to-leave-brisbane-roar-with-a-year-still-left-on-his-contract/news-story/4229d534d25f9270c7f4b39974159e40

That frees up 3 visa slots but also means Roar will be rotating 7 ot 8 players this winter which is unusually high for them

Interesting times!

You can be sure Aloisi will be tapping into his European contacts. Apparently Craig Moore has recently returned from a scouting trip overseas.

For me, we need:

Another CB
Another LB (won't happen though)
An attacking minded midfielder (Holman?)
A backup ST
Possibly another midfielder but would also like to see youth promoted

Would also love to get rid of Theo, who is taking up huge cap space and is now second choice to Young. That would free up some cap space for a better signing elsewhere in the squad.

Let's hope we see some signings soon enough.

interesting you mention Theo - Roar are actively trying to offload him and have offered him to 3 A league clubs without success. If he and Polenz go it will free up a huge amount of cap space

As much as I love Theo, he has sadly declined.
Still he would've been a much better signing than Necevski at CCM.

Theos still good but the best part of 2 years out of the game slows the reactions down. He's 36 mid season so not surprised people aren't taking him, too good as a backup and maybe too little hand time to take a risk as a first pick maybe?

Will be useful if we get through the qualifier for Asia. Could always just see if hes ready to retire and move into a coaching role.
Hopefully we get some news of some players coming in soon - not Jacob Pepper, hes shite.

I find it disturbing that you write that roar has offered Theo to 3 other A - league clubs.
This statement is baseless and untrue and i think you might be getting a call soon mr waz.

http://www.sportingnews.com/football/list/former-sydney-fc-starlet-looking-for-a-move-back-from-europe-paok-antonis-a-league-football/1al7gvr1mr8lq13bwpxrpkmz95/slide/2

Be careful, Mr Waz.

And yeah I originally mentioned Theo because of that very article. I'm a little sus on 'The Secret Agent' now because of the whole Luke Devere thing.

I'm pretty sure I don't be getting a call anytime soon from the roar .... or Theo either lol.

It was in the media so its up for discussion in this forum, that's what it's here for right? Secret Agent thankfully got DeVere wrong but a month ago called Ricky correctly. Personally I think this shows Riaf are bring s but more assertive in managing there squad which is overdue, and possibly trying to figure out a way of getting Holman on board.