THE LAST few weeks have gone from good to even better for us Fury fans, and it's looking likely to get better yet with Chipperfield almost certain to sign.

For those of you uncertain whether the veteran Socceroo will be able to make an impact you got your answer with Chipperfield a standout against an attacking Japan side.

It's former Wellington Phoenix play maker Felipe who's capturing the headlines this week though, with the diminutive Brazilian returning to the A-League after a short stint in Saudi Arabia.

The signing of the apparently big-headed Brazilian was certainly an unexpected one but in my view also a quality one. "Anytime Felipe had a big game, Wellington looked a better team," Ferguson said.

On the announcement of Ferguson becoming NQ Fury's inaugural head coach he declared that he wasn't looking for 'Prima donnas' but hardworking players, which is why Felipe's signing came as such surprise with the Brazilian said to have a big ego. Ferguson also looks to have turned on his decision to focus on recruiting hardworking players - well, sort of...

"The style of football I want to bring to North Queensland means having 11 players who will work hard, but also I want that flair and unpredictability that Brazilians are renowned for, to feed the likes of Robbie Fowler."

Ferguson also heaped praise on Felipe, who he compared to another quality foreigner in the A-League.

"He's a bit like Charlie Miller - he's always thereabouts and just knows how to make things happen for you."

Hopefully he doesn't turn up as unfit as the Scotsman though eh?

What stood out most for me about the signing of the Brazilian, is that instead of traveling to South America searching for unproven imports such as the Gold Coast has done, instead Ferguson signed a player who has proven he can play at A-League level even if he can go missing in games at times.

Not only that but we can now start looking at a few decent lineups, the first of which being a standard 4-4-2.

------------------*Paul Henderson*---------------------------
----Middleby-----Busch-----Timpano------*Chipperfield*----
-------------------------Talay-----------------------------------
--------*Aguis*--------------------------Spagnuolo-------------
-------------------------Felipe----------------------------------
----------------Fowler-----------Santalab----------------------

Defence would be a bit problem in this lineup with Busch inconsistent, Timpano injury-prone and Robbie Middleby not as quick as he used to be. Hopefully we sign a player in the mould of Craig Moore otherwise we could see similar results to the 'Nix in their first season. A right-winger is also needed with possible candidates Aguis and Vass untested at A-League level, and, er, James Robinson.

Another option is for Scott Chipperfield to move to a DM position alongside Talay, with a 3-5-2 formation.

----------------*Paul Henderson*------------------
-------*Wilson*-------Timpano-----------Busch---
--------------Talay----------*Chipperfield*---------
-------------------Grossman------------------------
----------------Felipe-----Spagnuolo----------------
-----------Fowler-------------McBreen-------------

The back three is still a bit of a worry as is the need for a quality keeper. It'd be interesting to see how Chipperfield went in a deep lying midfielder role similar to that of Celeski, with Talay and Grossman playing beside him. Goals shouldn't be too much of a problem with Felipe, Spangulo, Chipperfield and Grossman creating chances for Fowler and Santa as well as hopefully chipping in with a few themselves.

With a further eight or nine positions left to fill on the player roster there's a lot of improvement to be done, starting with the signing Scott Chipperfield and a hopefully a quality keeper.

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Stewart Petrie, who has spent the last season with Ross County in Scotland, has arrived in Townsville where he will become former teammate Ian Ferguson's right-hand man.

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English-born, Australian raised striker Daniel McBreen is heading back to Australia for Fury after stints in England and Scotland.

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Ian Ferguson is believed to be interested in Scott Wilson, the former Rangers defender and current captain of Scottish Division One side Dunfermline Athletic filling our fifth and final import position.

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As always you can find the NQ Fury forum at http://forums.northqldfc.com.au/