Roy Krishna (Bula FC | Fiji)

school holidays.

Ernie speaks about Krishna, Totori and the Pacific Islands as a talent pool:

http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/pacific-beat/new-zealand-a-league-team-looks-to-fiji/1245716

he got a nice goal in training today past mossy

yeah, he was sharp and didn't look out of place

thought the new aussie looked good too - big and fast

btw, i can see why rufer doesn't play and ridenton does - rufer has astonishing skill, but then screws up the odd 5 meter pass.  ridenton is very solid and probably a bit quicker, not as awesome on the ball, but doesn't make basic mistakes

From what I've seen it'd be the way Ridenton  can spot the movement of others and play a good pass

Had a brief chat with him after training today. Will chuck the interview in with next week's podcast. He's very quiet and direct in his responses.

2nd Best was talking about foreign players signed by Ernie at Melbourne Victory including the two Thais (part of debate over his track record with foreign signings compared to Ricki) - some posters have confused this in the last several posts with players who trialed or were signed by the Nix such as the Indonesian Bambang.....

Grant Brebner midfielder from Scotland was one of Ernie's best foreign signings in 2006 - 120 apps Melbourne, ex- Man Utd youth product, Reading, Hibs, Dundee United. In 2009 was granted Aussie residency..

Another good foreign signing by Ernie was Alessandro in 2006-2007 season (17 games) who had a fine pedigree in Brazilian football and was popular at Melbourne, though didn't play more than one season after not agreeing on money. Now playing for the top team in Azerbaijan, Neftchi Baku PFK and played Europa League group stage 2012 against Inter Milan, Partizan etc. (drew with Inter in Milan):  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alessandro_Viana_da_Silva

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neftchi_Baku_PFC

One of the "trio from Rio" signed along with Fred and Claudinho - Fred  of course was also a hit though Claudinho disappointed despite having the greatest pedigree (played only six times). Claudinho however went on to a solid career with Iraklis Thessaloniki in the Greek Super League, K-League, Brazilian clubs etc. Highly-touted marquee striker Ricardinho was a disappointment in Ernie's last season.

Ney Fabiano Brazilian striker with good pedigree with major Brazilian clubs (Palmeiras, Cruzeiro, Sao Paolo, Internacional) played 30 games 2008-9 A-League title winning season. Left for Thailand where he was paid more.

Geoffrey Claeys was a class defender signed by Ernie in the first A-League season - former Belgian international, Feyenoord, Belgian top flight player (16 apps then retired).

Richard Kitzbichler was a classy midfielder in Melbourne's inaugural season - 18 apps Melb., Austrian international midfielder, Salzburg, Hamburg SV (Bundesliga)

Joe Keenan - former Chelsea defender played 2007-8 season as left wing-back; signed from Willem II, Netherlands - left Melbourne for Hibs, SPL.

Had a few classy Costa Ricans on loan in Ernie's reign: 

Marvin Angulo - attacking mid - 36 apps 09/10, 10/11 seasons

 José Luis López Ramírez in 2008-9 season  - 18 apps (Costa Rican international midfielder)

Surat Sukha from Thailand was a pretty reliable defender for Melbourne - 36 apps 09/10, 10/11 seasons.

All players to ever play for Melbourne Victory: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Melbourne_Victory_FC_players

So, Ernie signed  more decent foreigners than Ricki - because he probably had a lot more money to splash around and better scouting. I read that Ernie actually traveled to Brazil to look at players for example. Ricki never did much of that kind of scouting.

I remember ricardnho. Was never a good signing. Didn't they poach him off Brisbane where he scored a bucket of mostly pretty easy goals in a side where it was hard not to? Wasn't a good call.

Another Fijian coup in the news.

Loved the Thankyou Very Much Auckland City chant when he came on.

How'd he look, good enough?

didn't get much game time don't know why stein went off tho he shoulda dropped off to the ten role and roy up front

Showed a bit more pace than Cunningham.

Hard to say yet whether he'll prove effective after two sub appearances - maybe not so impressive v Brisbane on the weekend.

Ernie sounds positive still in the paper:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/soccer-football/news/article.cfm?c_id=86&objectid=11192370

"There's no doubt we missed Kenny and Carlos,'' he said. "There was no service coming forward for the strikers towards the end of the second half.''

Merrick thought one man who was especially let down in that regard was Roy Krishna, with the Fijian frontman struggling to make an impact when summoned from the bench.

Krishna, who has made two brief appearances for the Phoenix since signing with the club earlier this month, should get another chance in the city where he made his name with Waitakere United.

"He was making little runs in behind [against Brisbane],'' Merrick said. "Although he struggled a little bit, there were a few flashes that showed me his ability.''

Indian friends tell me signing Roy Krishna has been linked "in unseen ways" to the Nix's improvement in fortune. "Krishna" being regarded by many Hindus as the holiest name of God and the "Hare Krishna" mantra one of the most revered. So every time a commentator or supporter says or hears "Krishna" Hindus consider that as bringing great good fortune spiritually and materially.

Doesn't even matter how effective Roy Krishna is as a player, just his name does all the work!!! You can't say that about many players. If he's successful though, he will probably attract media and fan attention in India. I've seen a blog about Indians playing football around the world. They love to pick up on Indians who are successful internationally in all fields, especially sport and the arts.  

I've spent time in India and there are whole towns dedicated to Krishna since ancient times such as Vrindavan a few hours from Delhi. One of India's greatest rivers is the Krishna and many towns and places carry the name.

India's most popular scripture, the Bhagavad-gita is spoken by Krishna to his disciple the general Arjuna on the eve of a war:

BHAGAVAD-GITA 18.78:

"Wherever there is Krishna, the master of all mystics, and wherever there is Arjuna, the supreme archer, there will also certainly be opulence, victory, extraordinary power, and morality. That is my opinion."

largely non-existant againt the roar

I think we are about right.  We could have nicked a couple of points against Perth and Adelaide so it evens out.

I've noticed this too over the past few games. He doesn't get as involved as I would like (his touches/passes) are well down compared to our other strikers, albeit he has been asked to do a bit more defending than others.

Was some hit on Saturday. Although the defending was Cap 12 stuff. Gave him 5 yards and pushed him on his preferred foot. Honking.

Just need him to start doing it against some of the better teams in the league now.

Interview with him in the Guardian - talking about the lack of opportunities for talent in the islands:

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/dec/05/roy-krishna-weve-got-potential-in-the-pacific-islands-but-we-cant-get-out-there

We don't have any other strikers

Ernie started young as a teacher of young footballers. 

Is that an ACFC prom on the box

The man has decent goal celebrations too. Vital for a striker. ....one might say essential. Smeltz corner flag punch.

Only the second Phoenix player ever to score in 4 consecutive A League games. Well done Roy.

Cmon Roy this Sunday please

You want a circle jerk?

Roy's doing a question and answer session of twitter/facebook today at 1pm. Phoenix asking for questions.

And you think the forums are stoopid.

I am Roy's biggest fan.

No! I am!

No you're not, _I_ AM!!!

Can't we all be Roy's biggest fan?