We also weren’t in the middle of a pandemic.
We also weren’t in the middle of a pandemic.
And the rest of the league hadn’t improved their recruiting, coaching and game play whilst we stagnated trusting on the quality lead we built from 2015 to 18 to keep us on the summit.
I think we have had it so good for so long that there is a bit of over reaction to the result. Having said that, it has been evident since the departure of ALF that we dont have the scoring ability that has been the fundamental of our sustained success.
I think we can still contest the title this season if Hof, ABJ start and Bobo performs. I think Buhagiar can find some form if he has ABJ feeding him clear cut chances to run on to.
Should be a good test for the team and Corica.
Absolutely. Rhyan Grant is a big example of that, but it was clear he was not only busting a gut for the team every time he got a chance, but there were characteristics that were going to be helpful to the team.
At the moment, Ivanovic is not showing even the effort he made in the last season or two, and is not doing anything with the ball either. The fact that Ivanovic wasn’t even in the squad on Friday is telling. Something is going on with him mentally and I really hope he can find his mojo because he’s shown occasionally that he’s very capable, but the occasional good piece of play is not going to cut the mustard here.
At least we’ve kept our club culture and identity going. We could go the Popovic route and get rid of half the squad each season, but at least the players know that SFC honors their contracts.
Not sure anything will happen in the short term but Grant expressed his desire to play abroad at some stage. Strange article though.
It sounds more like “Hey if a dream move came up, then great, but I’m fine here” which I can live with.
He is just too good for this comp now and the distance between him and most of those he faces is getting wider. Sad, but I would love to see him go to a good league in Europe and really test himself.
I think Slowey said it best on SBS - he’s done everything he can in a sky blue shirt except for winning an ACL, which, unfortunately, won’t be happening any time soon.
Of course he’d leave a huge hole on the right, but I think it’s time for him to test himself. He’ll be on the wrong side of 30 soon, so if he doesn’t go in the next off-season, it’ll probably never happen.
Biggest issue with losing Grant is his salary. With his loyalty bonus, we’ll struggle on getting a player of even half is caliber for his pay inside the cap
Yeah, there is no way we can replace him like for like with his salary that is counted against the cap.
The best we can do is give VdS a chance to make the position his and use Retre as backup or vice versa. To make this work and given the extra subs allowed Corica should, depending on the match situation, be giving VdS 10-15 minutes at the end of each game.
Another one of our youth players looking to go abroad:
Think he trialled at Dynamo Kyiv end of last year. Probably 5th choice CB currently for us behind Wilko, McGowan, Warland and Flottmann. Good luck to him on his trial. Hopefully if he is signed we get a fee and sell on clause.
The Fridge. Love to see it.
Hit the prayer beads everyone, this is where fate makes the injuries kick in.
Club have shown a lot of faith in the lad, love to see that. Left-footed CB’s who can actually pass (i.e. not Jurman) are pretty thin on the ground, and it makes sense to lock him in first before determining what to do with pairing his senior CB partner.
He is very tidy. Barely notice him when he plays - always good for a CB. How long has Wilko got?
You’d think he’s been told it’s wilko’s last season. No point staying otherwise
Nice little video on the under-rated Joel King stepping up in the absence of the increasingly error prone Zullo.