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Football Analysis

We are one.

We are one.

Everyone knows the old football quote from Bill Shankly about the importance of football so I'm not going to insult your intelligence by rolling it out again. However, I am sure some people actually feel football is more important than life. I feel that football is life. I love how your life ... 2 Aug 2010

So who the bloody hell are you?

So who the bloody hell are you?

I've just learned what NQ Fury's newest ad campaign will be. Imagine this, if you will: Lara Bingle, dressed in a light and dark green bikini, standing in the middle of Dairy Farmers Stadium, surrounded by 20 professional footballers. She looks around the circle of men and utters the immortal ... 2 Aug 2010

The case for three at the back

The case for three at the back

With the A-League season fast approaching, Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert has the headache all coaches crave - who to leave out of his starting side for the opening match against Gold Coast United on August 13. For me, six players are guaranteed a starting spot - Mark Paston, Andrew Durante, Jade ... 1 Aug 2010

Finest Keepers Strikers Weepers

Finest Keepers Strikers Weepers

Why is it that Australia breeds world class keepers like rabbits but can't create strikers? Over the last 20-odd years we've been served by more than our fair share of excellent goalkeepers. There are three in particular (Bosnich, Kalac, Schwarzer) whose clubs and achievements put them in the ... 31 Jul 2010

Cold Hearted But Happy

Cold Hearted But Happy

On a bitterly cold winter's night I stood shivering with pride. I was watching Heart being hosted graciously by Victorian Premier League side Oakleigh Cannons at Jack Edward's Reserve. Standing next to the fence a few metres from the pitch, I turned around to look at the many others who were ... 30 Jul 2010

The Canary in W-League's coalmine

The Canary in W-League's coalmine

I've spent a lot of time wondering whether Season 3 of the W-League would involve: a) a longer season b) extra teams c) more TV coverage I thought at least one of them would come off in the W-League's slow-and-steady approach to building a sustainable league, especially given the Matildas' ... 30 Jul 2010

Shockingly Experts Underwhelmed With Coasties

Shockingly Experts Underwhelmed With Coasties

Another year of expert A-League predictions sees another year of the usual 'Mariners missing finals', 'low table finish' or 'wooden spoon' predictions from the ‘expert analysts'. Look I know that someone has to come last and someone else has to come second last. However every year it ... 29 Jul 2010

Phoenix need to return to the ashes

Phoenix need to return to the ashes

The FFA need to find a way out of the five year licence handed to Wellington Phoenix, and they need to do it fast. Phoenix have become a toxic asset for the FFA, and we are already seeing Australian clubs suffer as a result. The AFC on Tuesday held the fourth meeting of the ‘Ad-hoc ... 29 Jul 2010

Il Duomo

Il Duomo

Architecture. Sometimes, it is used for quite practical uses, other times those practical uses cover up the initial intent of the structure. Ego boosters, a giant reminder of ‘Yeah, I was here, and I was kind of a big thing'. Take Florence for example. For those of you lucky enough to ... 29 Jul 2010

The Thin Red Line

The Thin Red Line

It's the squad, stupid! From the Socceroos to Barcelona to your Sunday pub side, it's not all about the stars. As soon as one of them sneezes or twinges a hamstring you start to find out how thin your line is stretched, how strong it is - and how well it's led. Last Friday night I arrived ... 28 Jul 2010

Football is greater than Masterchef

Football is greater than Masterchef

I'll be honest; I'm not a fan of reality TV. My rare excursions into watching it inevitably end in disaster. 'Any Dream Will Do' resulted in me spending half my life humming songs from Joseph & the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. I watched an episode of 'Masterchef' the other week but ... 26 Jul 2010

Speed kills????

Speed kills????

On Sunday I watched Sydney FC and AEK Athens thrash it out on the telly then at half time I went five minutes down the road and watched Gold Coast and Fury have their final hitouts in the rain. Back home and out of the rain and then through the wonders of my chosen pay TV digital recorder, I ... 26 Jul 2010

Once were sea monkeys

Once were sea monkeys

Ah - the sweet joy of a new arrival. Pats on the back and cigars all round. Pretty soon we'll be welcoming more additions to the family. That can only mean one thing. Starry-eyed youngsters keen to decipher the mysteries of life, asking the question we've been dreading for years: where do ... 26 Jul 2010

World On Show - Was Mitch Watching?

World On Show - Was Mitch Watching?

The 2010 FIFA World Cup might've finished more than two weeks ago, but when the biggest sporting event in the world only happens once every four years it seems a waste to simply consign it to the past the moment it ends. With a month of drama, 64 matches to scrutinise and 736 players to ... 25 Jul 2010

The greatest team never seen

The greatest team never seen

And it's Gold Coast United,Gold Coast United FC! We're by far the greatest team,The world has never seen. Last season, Gold Coast United had the lowest average attendance in the A-League. On average 5,392 people turned up to United home games. That's almost 100 less than Newcaste Jets. Only ... 25 Jul 2010

New Australia? Austrayland?

New Australia? Austrayland?

For those of you that weren't aware, a few months ago there was some talk from some random politicians across the ditch that New Zealand should become a state of Australia. The idea was quickly knocked down by his fellow MPs, but it did receive some support from the New Zealand public at ... 23 Jul 2010

Can a local outperform an import?

Can a local outperform an import?

Will Jess Vanstrattan be able to live up to the standard set by Danny Vukovic between the Mariners sticks? So over the last couple of weeks the Mariners have had a few changes in personnel. In particular the Mariners have lost one of their adopted sons, Danny Vukovic and have gained a genuine ... 22 Jul 2010

Tale Of Two Clubs

Tale Of Two Clubs

It was with much excitement that I bought my tickets to see Melbourne Victory take on Boca Juniors. It's not every day that you get to see two of your favourite football teams in the world go head to head, albeit in a friendly.Whilst I do have affection for the team from La Boca and follow their ... 21 Jul 2010

NQFC's $7.5M Question

NQFC's $7.5M Question

The local paper reported last week that the buyout of the club by a Singaporean business has hit a new hurdle. However the Asians aren't running for the hills, instead they have opted for plan B in the form of a two part attack. According to the report part 1 would be to sponsor the club ... 21 Jul 2010

Looking Out For Number One: Part 2

Looking Out For Number One: Part 2

In my previous blog, I suggested that Mark Schwarzer remains pre-eminent and uncontested as our Number One. This instalment continues my assessment of Schwarzer's understudies. The importance of a goalkeeper, to any side, is not just how well he/she stops goals from going in. There's far more ... 21 Jul 2010

Loved the World Cup? Love the A-League!

Loved the World Cup? Love the A-League!

I loved the 2010 World Cup. I thought it was an excellent tournament, and over a week later I am still struggling with the absence of it from my life. From the first game when Mexico tore the hosts to shreds in the first half but failed to score to the wild Spanish celebrations ... 20 Jul 2010

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