So anyway, yesterday I was set to write this blog about how the easiest way for you to get an A-League franchise was to take a problem off the FFA's hands. A problem like Graham Arnold, for instance.
North Queensland FC look like they have won the licence for their area - and lo and behold, they quite fancy having Arnold as their coach. Which was all terribly handy for the FFA who accidentally gave Arnie a contract until 2010, despite a career with the national team setup that's been less successful than a rugby league player's lovelife.
And then today, NQFC suddenly realised that not only has Arnie had a joyless stint with the national team, his domestic club record (at Northern Spirit in the old NSL) was more shithouse than shit hot. Suddenly Phil Stubbins - one of the talented backroom staff at Adelaide United - looks like a much better deal to them.
Now the cynic might point out this change of mind only appeared to come about in the afternoon - AFTER the FFA had told bidders if they were going to be successful in their bid attempt. But it was still BEFORE the FFA publicly confirms its decision on next season's new clubs.
Theoretically, the FFA can still change it mind.
Which makes me think NQFC must think they'd rather not have a club at all next season than risk having Arnold at the helm. I'm sure that's not the case though, eh?
[South Melbourne - take note...want into the A-League? Give Arnie a job and take him off the FFA's hands - sorted.]
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The comparisons between Edmundo Zura and Mario Jardel have begun already, even among Newcastle Jets fans themselves. Don't speak too soon though.
We went up to see Zura at his first training session with the Jets. For the first 20 minutes, I thought Newcastle had made (another) terrible, terrible mistake. Even on a cold winter's day, he was sweating heavily, his touch was awful and his shots were scarier than an Australian Idol reject's high notes.
And then he got a shot on target.
He suddenly found his confidence and it was like a whole new player. For the next 20 minutes, he was unstoppable. He must have scored three or four goals on the trot and was on a whole different level to the rest of the team.
But then he missed one and his confidence was gone again.
Barndoors across the country slept easy once more, even more relaxed than that time Brett Holman had the ball and was bearing down on them at speed, with Nicky Carle and Ruben Zadkovich in support.
We're basing our judgement on one training session, and on a player that had literally just got off the plane. But that morning Gary van Egmond walked off the pitch and said to his staff: "When he's good, he's great." And he is. It's just that he's not great that often...so far.
We may have to wait for him to get a fluke shot on target that gets his confidence up, but when he does - watch out. He'll blow everyone else away...for a while at least. Let's hope everyone's patience doesn't run out first though.
++++
Mark Milligan manages to get another Socceroo call-up despite lacklustre recent performances and the notable lack of a club after his name.
Why does it keep happening? We don't know for sure, but we understand he only needs to make two more Socceroo appearances to qualify for a UK work permit based on his international appearances.
So that would be a cap against Holland and a cap against Uzbekistan then - and from September 11, he could be eligible to sign for anyone he likes in the EPL (or rather, anyone who likes him). As he's a free agent, he'll still be able to sign for a club outside the transfer window.
If it does come off, Milligan will owe the Socceroos big-time. Let's hope he remembers this when his new club tries to pressure him not to play for his country at any point in the future...
++++
Days since Graham Arnold last spoke publicly to the press: 13.
North Queensland FC look like they have won the licence for their area - and lo and behold, they quite fancy having Arnold as their coach. Which was all terribly handy for the FFA who accidentally gave Arnie a contract until 2010, despite a career with the national team setup that's been less successful than a rugby league player's lovelife.
And then today, NQFC suddenly realised that not only has Arnie had a joyless stint with the national team, his domestic club record (at Northern Spirit in the old NSL) was more shithouse than shit hot. Suddenly Phil Stubbins - one of the talented backroom staff at Adelaide United - looks like a much better deal to them.
Now the cynic might point out this change of mind only appeared to come about in the afternoon - AFTER the FFA had told bidders if they were going to be successful in their bid attempt. But it was still BEFORE the FFA publicly confirms its decision on next season's new clubs.
Theoretically, the FFA can still change it mind.
Which makes me think NQFC must think they'd rather not have a club at all next season than risk having Arnold at the helm. I'm sure that's not the case though, eh?
[South Melbourne - take note...want into the A-League? Give Arnie a job and take him off the FFA's hands - sorted.]
++++
The comparisons between Edmundo Zura and Mario Jardel have begun already, even among Newcastle Jets fans themselves. Don't speak too soon though.
We went up to see Zura at his first training session with the Jets. For the first 20 minutes, I thought Newcastle had made (another) terrible, terrible mistake. Even on a cold winter's day, he was sweating heavily, his touch was awful and his shots were scarier than an Australian Idol reject's high notes.
And then he got a shot on target.
He suddenly found his confidence and it was like a whole new player. For the next 20 minutes, he was unstoppable. He must have scored three or four goals on the trot and was on a whole different level to the rest of the team.
But then he missed one and his confidence was gone again.
Barndoors across the country slept easy once more, even more relaxed than that time Brett Holman had the ball and was bearing down on them at speed, with Nicky Carle and Ruben Zadkovich in support.
We're basing our judgement on one training session, and on a player that had literally just got off the plane. But that morning Gary van Egmond walked off the pitch and said to his staff: "When he's good, he's great." And he is. It's just that he's not great that often...so far.
We may have to wait for him to get a fluke shot on target that gets his confidence up, but when he does - watch out. He'll blow everyone else away...for a while at least. Let's hope everyone's patience doesn't run out first though.
++++
Mark Milligan manages to get another Socceroo call-up despite lacklustre recent performances and the notable lack of a club after his name.
Why does it keep happening? We don't know for sure, but we understand he only needs to make two more Socceroo appearances to qualify for a UK work permit based on his international appearances.
So that would be a cap against Holland and a cap against Uzbekistan then - and from September 11, he could be eligible to sign for anyone he likes in the EPL (or rather, anyone who likes him). As he's a free agent, he'll still be able to sign for a club outside the transfer window.
If it does come off, Milligan will owe the Socceroos big-time. Let's hope he remembers this when his new club tries to pressure him not to play for his country at any point in the future...
++++
Days since Graham Arnold last spoke publicly to the press: 13.
