Football Analysis

Arnieball under the microscope

Arnieball under the microscope

They say lightning doesn't strike twice, but just don't tell that to Graham Arnold. 27 Jan 2019
Thoughts on Oz v UAE

Thoughts on Oz v UAE

Not only can I hardly bear to write this, I can hardly bear to think about it. Australia are out. 26 Jan 2019
'There was nothing there to sack a coach over...'

'There was nothing there to sack a coach over...'

The damage done by the FFA’s rush to axe Alen Stajcic goes far beyond the destruction of his reputation and career – and even beyond the divide it’s apparently creating in the Matildas. 23 Jan 2019
Thoughts on Oz vs Uzbekistan

Thoughts on Oz vs Uzbekistan

Yet another ordeal for Socceroos fans, but somehow we scraped through. 22 Jan 2019
Thoughts on Oz v Syria

Thoughts on Oz v Syria

So Australia are through to the knockout rounds, and after a full day of recovering my shattered nerves, I’m finally able to write about it. 17 Jan 2019
Cornering Chris Nikou

Cornering Chris Nikou

If you could get Chris Nikou in a corner and hassle him about his plans for the next few years, what would you ask him? 16 Jan 2019
Thoughts on Oz v Palestine

Thoughts on Oz v Palestine

Well that was more like it. A bit more urgency and some strong individual performances have put the Socceroos back in the Asian Cup race. 12 Jan 2019
We have to talk about Oceania...

We have to talk about Oceania...

Australia may be struggling at the Asian Cup right now, but that’s why we joined Asia – to get strong, regular competition that would force us to grow as a footballing nation. 11 Jan 2019
Thoughts on Oz v Jordan

Thoughts on Oz v Jordan

So we lost the first game – a game we should certainly have won. It’s a setback but the overreaction in some quarters is just plain ridiculous. 7 Jan 2019
The Once and Future Mariners

The Once and Future Mariners

Who’d be a Mariners fan these days? More than a year since we had a win and looking less likely every week. 5 Jan 2019
Does Aloisi deserve another A-League job?

Does Aloisi deserve another A-League job?

FTBL dives into John Aloisi's career to find out whether the Socceroo legend's lack of public popularity ever quite matched up with his coaching exploits. 29 Dec 2018
Corica, Rudan and the battle for NPL coaches

Corica, Rudan and the battle for NPL coaches

What do Australia's best NPL coaches have to do to be taken seriously by the A-League? Surely it's not punditry... 8 Dec 2018
Arnie's Army for the UAE

Arnie's Army for the UAE

Looking towards the Asian Cup, there is little further opportunity to impress, except at club level. Who will make the final cut? 21 Nov 2018
Change - but is it the change we wanted?

Change - but is it the change we wanted?

The upper levels of Australian football at yesterday’s FFA AGM could not be further away from the gritty beer-soaked stands and chip-strewn terraces they try to fill. 20 Nov 2018
Only Football Can Do This...

Only Football Can Do This...

Wow! What a game! Only football with its tiny margins governing failure or success can generate that kind of white knuckle ride. 31 Oct 2018
Arzani set for dream Hoops debut?

Arzani set for dream Hoops debut?

The word is that Daniel Arzani was hooked from the Reserves match this week and sent to train with the Celtic first team. He won’t be part of their Europa League game tomorrow, but he might feature against Hearts in the League Cup on Monday. 26 Oct 2018
Graham Arnold: The Master of Systems

Graham Arnold: The Master of Systems

Okay, Kuwait seemed about as interested in the game as their crowd, but you can only play what’s in front of you. Playing in stifling heat on an over-grassed pitch, the Arnie Era got off to a very solid start. 17 Oct 2018
Does 'cult' club hold the secret to attracting new A-League fans?

Does 'cult' club hold the secret to attracting new A-League fans?

We all want another Western Sydney Wanderers, but how can A-League expansion clubs get it right? The answer may be hidden within one of Europe’s most unusual teams. 9 Oct 2018
How to fix penalty decisions?

How to fix penalty decisions?

I have a crazy suggestion for a new rule that might improve the game. 4 Oct 2018
The Extra Mile - McKinna on Jedinak

The Extra Mile - McKinna on Jedinak

Lawrie McKinna was the coach who gave Mile Jedinak his first big chance in professional football. The following is an extract from Lawrie's biography (published in 2016) in which he discusses Mile's development and impact on the Mariners before going overseas... 1 Oct 2018
Version 14 A-League...Bring it on!

Version 14 A-League...Bring it on!

FFA’s war with FIFA. FFA’s war with its own stakeholders. The prospect of a normalisation committee and being turfed out of the Asian Cup. The Socceroos starting life under a coach who divides the fans. Expansion about to delight two and disaffect the rest. And pop music at goal kicks and corners? Some would suggest that Australian football’s traditional death wish is simply ratcheting up a notch, but I reckon this could be the best season ever. 18 Sep 2018

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