Coaches from all A-League clubs are meeting in Sydney today for their annual FFA forum. However, there was one notable absence when the meeting kicked off this morning – championship winning coach Ernie Merrick.
No one quite knew where the super coach was but we were assured by Melbourne Victory he had taken the flight to Sydney and “Ernie is definitely in the building.”
Elvis references aside, according to FFA officials, the forum will cover refereeing issues, the national team programs and various football operations issues. Referees Mark Shield and Matt Breeze - both to officiate at the Asian Cup - were on hand to answer questions from the coaches.
Wellington Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert told au.fourfourtwo.com that he was pleased with how his squad was coming together, particularly his new Brazilian signing Daniel Lin Cortes, who Herbert had only seen on DVD before signing him.
“I guess you always get that little bit of uncertainty about whether or not he’s the right player, coming off the plane you never know who you’re going to get. But we have the right one in Daniel who’s fitted in very well.
“He’s been quite dynamic on and off the park and his work rate has been excellent in what has been a demanding first week.”
New Aussie signing Ross Aloisi has also impressed despite suffering a calf injury. “Ross hasn’t missed a session and as we all know is at the forefront of all the work. Again, for us he’s been a great acquisition.
“We’ve now signed 18 players with a few to arrive.”
Herbert has his hopes high for a bumper crowd on opening day of the A-League against the champions Victory at home. “And once we get out and about more in the city the “yellow fever” fans will increase in numbers even more.”
Adelaide’s new assistant coach Phil Stubbins is still coming to terms with his rise to the A-League but United coach Aurelio Vidmar, who handpicked the former NSL player from the Victorian Foxtel Cup says Stubbins “has the same philosophy as him and has plenty of experience.”
Vidmar is also bracing himself when the Olyroo qualifiers come around in the opening stages of the new season. He’s set to lose up to five players. “We’ve planned for it over that five week period and hopefully we’ll have the depth to cover.”
In other A-League news, Queensland's Spase Dilevski left today for a trial with a Romanian club.
Elvis references aside, according to FFA officials, the forum will cover refereeing issues, the national team programs and various football operations issues. Referees Mark Shield and Matt Breeze - both to officiate at the Asian Cup - were on hand to answer questions from the coaches.
Wellington Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert told au.fourfourtwo.com that he was pleased with how his squad was coming together, particularly his new Brazilian signing Daniel Lin Cortes, who Herbert had only seen on DVD before signing him.
“I guess you always get that little bit of uncertainty about whether or not he’s the right player, coming off the plane you never know who you’re going to get. But we have the right one in Daniel who’s fitted in very well.
“He’s been quite dynamic on and off the park and his work rate has been excellent in what has been a demanding first week.”
New Aussie signing Ross Aloisi has also impressed despite suffering a calf injury. “Ross hasn’t missed a session and as we all know is at the forefront of all the work. Again, for us he’s been a great acquisition.
“We’ve now signed 18 players with a few to arrive.”
Herbert has his hopes high for a bumper crowd on opening day of the A-League against the champions Victory at home. “And once we get out and about more in the city the “yellow fever” fans will increase in numbers even more.”
Adelaide’s new assistant coach Phil Stubbins is still coming to terms with his rise to the A-League but United coach Aurelio Vidmar, who handpicked the former NSL player from the Victorian Foxtel Cup says Stubbins “has the same philosophy as him and has plenty of experience.”
Vidmar is also bracing himself when the Olyroo qualifiers come around in the opening stages of the new season. He’s set to lose up to five players. “We’ve planned for it over that five week period and hopefully we’ll have the depth to cover.”
In other A-League news, Queensland's Spase Dilevski left today for a trial with a Romanian club.
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