I do remember that being announced some time ago

already there aren't we? why else would FFA engage Hatamoto? Was surprised to meet Damien DeBohun standing with the Red Army late last season.

I sit in the western stand usually but it depends on who I go with. I only went to a few games last year but I hope to get to a few more this year.

I will be honest, on the cold or wet nights I dont mind watching the games on Foxtel

Welcome, i have been a long time reader also. I joined months ago but cant bring my self to comment much these days as some of the comments are almost as bad as the YouTube comments section. But dont let it faze you as it does me, this thread is usually filled with intelligent comments. Hope you get to more games this season mate.

Look what's back!

www.adelaidereds.com.au

woo. How long until the ffa try and have a cry again about it because noone is using the ffa adelaide united site.

The squad list on there has Evan Kostopoulos although I thought he was leaving.
It does not have Awer Mabil or Jordan Elsey who I thought were going to be part of the squad.

The site is a perpetual work-in-progress. I don't think that part of the site will be the main attraction however...

I guess it was really not clear from what I wrote but what I was really wondering whether Kostopoulos might actually be staying at the club. I think there is room for him even with Mabil, Elsey and 2 Spaniards.

FFA wont be crying because Optus are no longer managing club websites ;)

Great to have it back, was a great forum for club/fan interaction and hopefully it can go back to how it was with red out loud the main feature. Kudos to all involved in its revival. I have to say the club's clearly working towards communicating better which was a bit of a sore point last season. I'm starting to get the impression the discontent has been heard and while the club isn't attributing changes to the criticism levelled at it last season, it's doing its best to address them. I still think there are some unreal expectations in regards to how effective the club can be in dealing with AEC and I'll be very curious to see if Weslo are still the contracted security company come the first home game. I can't say if I know who does the Ent Cent security as I've only been there once recently and I may or may not have been a little under the weather. Also impressed by all the comps that they're running this season.

When are the 2 Spaniards being announced????

Your guess is as good as mine. There has even been talk one of them is not coming but lets wait and see.
Very interested in who they sign and then how they play in the first game.

Nothing much they can do about that excpet as AEC nicely to get another group.

I be happy with one to be honest - Carrusca, Ferreira Cassio and one more is plenty IMHO

Security will change according to some on we are the reds. "Nine ball entertainment" are set to take over which makes sense because they do the AEC.

Not good for supporter relations though. Haven't heard much good about this lot heard they are mainly thugs and club bouncers. I also think it is unfortunately timed. The end of last season was improving with weslo. The protest and bad publicity scared them and they were making more of an effort to keep familiar guards and have better communication with active groups (even if SAPOL didn't help the case). Sad to see that all that work will now go down the drain.

Cassio is not an import, Jeronimo is. There is room for 5 imports, as long as they improve the squad I am happy to have 5. It is simply stupid not to want to have as strong a squad as possible.

Amen.

Yep and not every position can be adequately covered by a local. Traditionally we've done pretty well in our recruitment of imports. We just don't want to bring in bench warmers.

We don't need another Levchenko or Slory... though, I must admit they did have their moments - Slory scoring against the Tards in a preseason game, and Levchenko scoring against Persipura to get us officially into the ACL.

I see Visa players as a chance to make some money by finding a diamond in the rough. It is hard for A-league clubs to make much money from developing youth and shipping them overseas because most youth league players end up being poached by other clubs with no transfer fees between A-league clubs.

My preference is to aim to have a local for every position that can perform to A-league standard. This includes a play maker, which AUFC are one of the few clubs that can say they have a quality local AM.

Then look to spend good money on 1 visa player who has experience and quality and the potential to be the star of the squad, most likely a CM but it really depends on where your first team is lacking most.

Finally, you are left with 4 visa spots. Roll the dice i say!! Aim for players who have to potential to earn a big contract in asia with a little bit of polish.

Flores
Ferreira
Usucar
Insoeb Shin

are all good examples of this type of player, each had varying levels of success but IMO were worth the risk.

I actually think all of our current imports have this potential

Slory was a weird one. If the easy easy very easy goals he missed went in i think his time here would of been very different he would of had about 5 goals in 8 games and looking good.

I think both Slory and Levchenko were worth the risk, especially Levchenko but never had a chance between injuries and political AUFC bs, though must be said he never made the most of his chances.

While Levchenko was not young I think he could play. Unfortunately injuries and injuries to others so he was played out of position meant he never really got to show it. I am not sure he was a bad bit of recruitment just one that through bad luck did not work out.
Slory was always a big risk big reward kind of player and one that failed. Not sure A-league squads are large enough to really take those risks with imports.

Jeronimo! That's the one I couldn't think of #-o #-o #-o :oops:

5 is enough IMHO - I think it's more stupid to have too many & no local youngsters coming through

I do not think Adelaide can be accussed of not having any youngsters in the squad with Izzo, Malik, Golec, Bowles, Melling, Kamara, Barker-Daish, Mabil and Elsey in the squad. Having 5 quality imports can only help a team, the trick though is to have 5 quality imports.

And those youngsters can learn a lot from experienced players who've played at a higher level OS. Plus there's the whole youth league set up which is really the best avenue for young locals without committing them to a professional contract before they're ready. Kids performing in the NYL can always get opportunities as injury replacements for senior squad members.

Is this mellings year ? i got the feeling now he has to push for a senior spot at least on the bench or could be in trouble of being released at the end of the season ? or am i just thinking crazy here ? :lol:

Edited by liverpoolfan2010: 7/7/2013 12:00:00 AM

Didn't say we didnt - just want to make sure it stays that way

He's still very young and I think he still needs a few more seasons to be effective playing in his preferred position in the middle of the park. I think the club views him as a long term prospect but made sure he was signed up to prevent him from being poached. Injury free, we should see the occasional run off the bench but I can't see him breaking into the starting 11 for at least another 12-24 months.