Contracted Players - Return of the Long Pins

I don't know how some of these guys are going to work out but our team has a much more balanced feel with a more solid defence and more goal options.  We may lack a little bit of flair but I there are no gaping holes - it's probably going to come down a lot to coaching which is pretty hard to predict!

I agree. Call me over-optimistic, but I am expecting quite a different playing style from us this year compared to previous seasons. And we'll thrash the "new-look" Jets as a farewell to our old era.

Krishna, Vidosic, Finkler, and McGlinchey isn't bad. 

I'm more concerned by a lack of pace.

Agreed. The Kaludjerovic signing is underwhelming, but I really liked the look of Paracki in his hit out against WSW. Think he'll be very good for us.

I also agree. It's the first time in a fair while that our recruitment appeared targeted, with all areas of concern addressed (i.e. improving the backline, getting a specialist DM, and getting an actual forward). More importantly, the recruitment has locked in players whom we're not asking to step up and perform at a level that they haven't played at before. So to me those are all good and positive signs.

The starting line-up should be quite competitive in the league. I think the only question over it right now is what the make up of the back 4 will be (and I do think it'll be a back 4). The depth will be a bit of a problem, especially in a couple of crucial positions (thinking replacements for Paracki and Kaludjerovic), but realistically this will always be an issue for us.

I think also we need to make a call on some of the young guys who have been with the team for a while.  Either they are good enough and start to get chances or we move onto a new crop of oyung players

I really hope Kaludjerovic picks shirt number 47 - he'll be our AK47 upfront this season.

A gun striker, if you will.

EXPIRES END OF 2017/18:

Andrew DURANTE
Louis FENTON
Gui FINKLER (f)
Scott GALLOWAY
Lewis ITALIANO
Andrija KALUDJEROVIC (f)
Roy KRISHNA (f)
James McGARRY (u21)
Michael McGLINCHEY 
Daniel MULLEN
Goran PARACKI (f)
Matthew RIDENTON
Logan ROGERSON (u21)
Marco ROSSI (+1) (f)
Alex RUFER
Dario VIDOSIC

EXPIRES END OF 2018/19:

Tom DOYLE
Dylan FOX
Ryan LOWRY
Adam PARKHOUSE
Oliver SAIL
Hamish WATSON

EXPIRES END OF 2019/20:

Sarpreet SINGH (u21)

We've been a pretty crap football team for a while now so I don't think it should be that hard for us to be better this year.  

 I still can't believe this.

See my previous comment

Had another look at his 2014/5 and 2016 (Roar) vids that others posted earlier.  Actually think he'll do a good job, especially with Krishna and Vidosich around him.  Plus Finkler, plus McGlinchey and a bit of the FBs getting forward and we should be offering a fair few headaches for defences.

Seems like he takes a good pen, is pretty strong on the ball, decent finish and instincts for goal, can run the line and has decent header.  Seems to definately favour his right foot but a decent left foot goal in there as well.  Plus one decent long range strike.

Give us an injury free season please and enough good leads to give the kids some game time.

He played under Rado at the Roar so it's not like he's been signed off YouTube.

Outfield, I believe we are starting to shape up really well.  Not since the arrival of Greenacre and Ifill have I looked forward to a season starting as much as this one. The unknown factor is the coaching and tactics.  However, as has been said earlier, recruitment looks to be the best targeted plan we have ever seen as opposed to piecemeal efforts of the recent past.  That potentially indicates a head Coach and staff knowing their onions.

What does concern me though now that the roster appears full is goalkeeper.  For me the jury is still out on Italiano although he did do well at the tail end of last season.  But if he does not measure up/gets injured/gets suspended, is Sail HAL quality?

Is well travelled but sounds alright.

This is extremely encouraging.  I think we've got a really impressive squad right now

Apparently he scored against us. Don't remember that at all!

You might not have seen it. It was that flood game.

for the goal I think he beat dura and moss at the front post from a whipped in ball...but that match was a joke. Players needed snorkels and water wings to get about. 

It's in his Brisbane goals highlight vid.  I remember thinking at the game how the heck did he force that past Dura and keeper.  Definately has goal instincts.

Looks like he scores another against us?  Shot of Louie F as it goes in in that highlights vid

Wow, some nice goals! His wiki stats suggest that he scores where ever he plays. I'm getting excited.

Another clip youtube clip of him, nothing flashy just seems to find himself at the right spot to put the ball in the back of the net

Same goal, different angle?

I don't think its concerning that he scores where ever he goes... but the fact that he goes a lot of places is. I hope its due to series of unfortunate events which has lead him to working his way around the world and not a one of him not working in team environments or personality clash issues

I don't remember him at all, Seems to be a good signing.

Well according to Hudson, he's international quality :)

Looks like the kind of player that could complement Gui's passing and through balls.

Hats off to the new coaching staff - as much as I'd have loved to see Neymar or Diego Costa like everyone else; I think they've done pretty well with what (and where) they've got to work with. Ok, no so much Costa cos he does seem a prized bell end.

For the first time in a while there appears to be some cohesion to our signings. Strength and balance has been added where it's needed... admittedly some question marks around Lewis from Italiano; but to be fair he's earned his chance and it's up to him to take it - I'd be stoked if he does.

Come On Ewe Nix!

Must wear 47 surely....

AK47... da dum dum chur....

M70 more appropriate?

Very pleased with this signing. We've signed some fairly prolific players in the past with alot of fanfare and none of them genuinely set the league alight. Sarpong, Huysegems a few. 

Kaludjerovic seems a player that will just get down to business. His record speaks for itself. 

Full credit to the coaches. Theyve assembled a squad that is either like for like or an improvement on the players that have departed. The squad is stronger than last year and the coaching can hardly be worse than what Ernie dished up over the years.

I don't know how appropriate a name those are for someone from the Balkans.

Reguardles, the Roar fans seem to hold him in quite high esteem, apparently they had to release him as they were under a transfer embargo at the time (I assume he was on loan?).

I'm seriously bothered.

Haven't been this excited before the start of the season for about four years.

It can only turn to custard.

Must wear 79 for the Auckland game(s)
AK·79

Sarpong was averaging less than a goal every ten games it was madness to sign him as a striker. Stein was scoring at better than his average for us.

Stein also had the misfortune of having the ball pinged in towards his shiny head all the time, when it was clear from his better moments that his strongest quality was dropping deep to link up play.