O-League 2012/13

31 degrees and raining at kick off in Tahiti.  That'll be fun.  Though, they're quite use to it now.

And the SPL now that Celtic have wrapped up the title there.

Check the youtube video. Seemed to be this own fault.

Youtube video suggests otherwise.

Myers even hangs around and gives him a pat as he heads off on the stretcher...nice touch imo.

I'm interested in an ACFC view on what needs to change to get back to the top because the answer can't be 'throw more import at it' It becomes extremely unsustainable. It's also questionable whether thes ones they have are actually as good as others think.

Well, let's see... the ACFC youth squad are all Kiwis, but though they're develloping so well they can win the Youth League they're still too young for the O-League, where it's all about results. And we can't pinch any more Kiwis from other clubs because that's frowned upon. And as you've said previously guys like Feneridis and McGeorge have been found wanting at a higher level than the ASB. So imports are kind of necessary if one aspires to the World Club Champs. And of course we all know those that are with the ACFC are very far from being 'superstars'. They get talked up because it's what the followers of a Club do: talk up their players. Well, unless you're from Waitakerie, when you never talk at all - at least not on this forum. As for ACFC getting back to the top, maybe a fit Tade, White and Souto would go some way towards it. But that ain't gonna happen for a while. But if we're still in it by December then hey, we're back on top! Speaking in local terms, i.e. in competition with Waitak, of course. Because who else is there? And that's the real question. Why is it that ASB teams outside Auckland can't raise their game? Christchurch Utd were a power. The big disapointment is Wellington, as we all know. And we can all guess the reason for that.

Guess it depends on what the clubs are for?

Phoenix play in the Aussie league under the we are developing players for NZ but have to play in Aussie because there's not Pro league in NZ?

What is the national league for? 

To develop players? Promote the game? Or just entertainment?

Probably all 3, depends how much enphasis you put on each on I guess

Hey Reggie, this is a football fan forum, not Sociology 101.

Wow I didn't know Simon Arms and Adam McGeorge were imports. Danko has also been here since 98 which pretty well makes him a Kiwi. But I would like more NZers in the team, shame that Chad and Daniel Morgan moved across town (both Kiwis who features in the 09 triumph) and Adam Thomas went elsewhere.

If Waitakere have ACFC's number this year as you so often boast how did 10-man ACFC come within a few minutes of beating them away in the final and then do it 3-1 in the O League? They also drew earlier in the season. Hardly "having their number" JV, but then, like Fox News, "fair and balanced" is said tongue in cheek. 

It's kind of sad that things are so touchy on this subject. Is calling a player a 'donkey' or a 'monkey' really any different? I understand the old racist implications but shouldn't players have thick enough hides to just ignore stupid abuse. Things are said in the heat of the game that shouldn't be taken too seriously. I've heard some crude things shouted at players but it only drags down the thrower of the insult. 

Racial slurs have no part of the game. End of.

Since you chose to give a twat answer to a serious question, allow me to retort. Have Arms and McGeorge been consistent regular starters have they? I think McGeorge was at TW  this summer yes? Fail. Arms came in only after Berlanga left. Is he starting now? Fail.

4 wins to Waitakere, 1 to ACFC and 1 draw. I'd call that having their number. Fail.

Lets ignore the fact that it was an opportunity for you to talk about your club in an open manner and that I was interested in your lots take on your own team. You just instead put spin on it which is flawed. If you want to repost and take the question at a serious face value then you'll get less of these sarcastic responses above continuously poking holes in your theories.

I think True Blues last comment kinda validates the initial point. That the person who made the comment it a complete twat.

I would ask the question of others how they would feel, if for example, I stood at Kiwitea st and chanted some anti Croatian things (not that I actually know any). I know exactly what would happen and considering the term 'monkey' has an extremely well known connotation (and not just in football) then I fail to see how there is a difference.

I understand it was directed at a person that was not black, but the connotation still remains. I guess its the same if I called someone a 'slope' and they were not Asian. The connotation still remains.

Of all the insults that could be thrown (muppet would have been the first one I would have used) monkey gets chosen *facepalm*

My insult of choice is "Zadkovic, you're not very good!".

Groan - dog and bone JV.

I was there. I don't recall any ACFC supporters shouting out for a card. More, there seemed to be a prolonged silence. Souto was in obvious and considerable pain.

It's a difficult subject because some words have connotations when applied to one individual that they don't have for another. So if you shout "monkey" at a European player it's okay but not at a darker skinned player. I understand why but isn't it a bit silly in this day and age when the most powerful man in the world is an African-American. It's like not being able to say the slightest thing that could be perceived as an insult by a devout Islamist or orthodox Jew or raving Catholic. If John Terry calls another player a "c**t" then that's just football, but if he calls him a "black c**t" then all hell breaks loose.

Football isn't tiddlewinks and while I'm all for good manners, things get said in the heat of a game and we should just get over it.I've been known to hurl the odd (relatively mild) insult during moments of frustration watching City, but fortunately being a smug and high and mighty supporter of the best football club in the land those are few and far between (cue sound of JV furiously tapping on his computer keyboard). Having said that I get fed up with the abusive sods on the sidelines who never have anything good to say. You know who you are so stop it you *#@"<>&#!

What we haven't talked about are the three 'staff' who were somewhat 'aggressive' towards the linesman and ref when they thought Krishna might get sent off, very late in the game.  Some of the crowd were upset by that.  We chimed in with ' sit down shut up'.  But obviously others were disgusted with the behaviour towards the ref and vented in other ways.

Careful Ed, the anti City brigade will accuse you of blaming "the staff".

When was this? 

Gordy was there in the early 2000s.... If nothing else, he can back up his statement in having actually played at that level. A strapping CB if I recall?

Absolutely 2B ,,,he should wait till some twat tweets it ,then repeat as gospel ....isnt that the way ..."to get it "

I dont think he's condoning anything ... I however , think you should  come to Kiwitea Str and behave as youve indicated...would be most hilarious...!!

So what GGW is saying is that calling someone a pom is unacceptable?

Isnt that to do with there heritage?

All depends on what each individual finds offensive I guess

Agree with him on the race thing  thats unacceptable but please dont bring heritage into it!!

And it's all too easy to play the racism card like Temple did.

Interesting that someone in previous post said maybe calling White a muppet might of been a better choice of word than a Monkey, Try telling that to Billy Harris who was accused of racism by Hamilton Wanderers a few years back for calling a player a muppet

The did a Temple and stirred up shit and played the race card

I was the person that said use the word muppet. I am surprised that someone would find the word muppet as racist. Offensive (if you take it that way) yes, but racist? I would be interested in some context on that.