1 Barba, 2 Barba, 3 Barbarouses
Love watching him at the Roar, best place for him
Are you sure this is the whole story? Kosta was just incredibly lucky at the Roar, and incredibly unlucky here? Yeah right.
Sure the issues you mentioned were a factor, but are you suggesting Kosta was so good from the moment he started playing for the Roar? His goal-scoring record wasn't great in the early games, and he showed the inconsistency common to young players in the early part of the season. But Ange didn't give up on him or drop him from the squad the moment he made a mistake or two, allowed him to build confidence and is now enjoying the rewards of sticking with a good young player.
And JD, culdn't have said it better myself.
el grapadura2010-12-22 12:27:22
We did try, we loaned him to McArthur Rams after season 1 to get some game time in the NSWPL. However he only started 6 games, played 21 games and only 803min in 3 seasons. He already has twice as many minutes this season alone.
I suppose there are certain elements that have contributed to this, firstly there was no reserve team which I think has benefited Rojas greatly, not so much in his development but to show Ricki that he is up to playing and something that Kosta did not have to fall back on if he wasn't in the match day squad (also a reason he went to Brisbane was them having a youth team squad for him to play).
Injuries at Roar to Henrique, Reinaldo and delay in Solorzano did afford Kosta more game time than probably he and Ange expected.
So in summary, we could have done better but there were circumstances that ham-strung the club a bit and Kosta has had a bit of fortune to cement his spot at Roar.
We did try, we loaned him to McArthur Rams after season 1 to get some game time in the NSWPL. However he only started 6 games, played 21 games and only 803min in 3 seasons. He already has twice as many minutes this season alone.
I suppose there are certain elements that have contributed to this, firstly there was no reserve team which I think has benefited Rojas greatly, not so much in his development but to show Ricki that he is up to playing and something that Kosta did not have to fall back on if he wasn't in the match day squad (also a reason he went to Brisbane was them having a youth team squad for him to play).
Injuries at Roar to Henrique, Reinaldo and delay in Solorzano did afford Kosta more game time than probably he and Ange expected.
So in summary, we could have done better but there were circumstances that ham-strung the club a bit and Kosta has had a bit of fortune to cement his spot at Roar.
Mossy on Kosta
Moss knows Kosta dangers
Thursday, 23 December 2010
by Vince Rugari, Sportal
Gold Coast United gloveman Glen Moss says he is not the least bit surprised by the sudden rise of fellow Kiwi and Brisbane sharpshooter Kosta Barbarouses.
Barbarouses has been a revelation since moving across the ditch from his hometown club Wellington Phoenix, headhunted by Brisbane supremo Ange Postecoglou as a perfect fit for his plans of Hyundai A-League domination.
Few expected the 20-year-old to deliver such potency in an orange shirt, which has guided him to the top of the Roar's goalscoring charts and second in the league with nine goals his breakout year - but Moss, a former teammate at the Phoenix and the New Zealand national team and the man who will be tasked with limiting his influence on Boxing Day, was well aware.
"I can honestly say that's no surprise to me," he said. "I've known Kosta for a couple of years and it was only a matter of time before he broke the shackles and now he's banging in goals for fun. I'm pleased to see the kid doing well but hopefully he doesn't do that well Sunday."
Mossy on Kosta
Moss knows Kosta dangers
Thursday, 23 December 2010
by Vince Rugari, Sportal
Gold Coast United gloveman Glen Moss says he is not the least bit surprised by the sudden rise of fellow Kiwi and Brisbane sharpshooter Kosta Barbarouses.
Barbarouses has been a revelation since moving across the ditch from his hometown club Wellington Phoenix, headhunted by Brisbane supremo Ange Postecoglou as a perfect fit for his plans of Hyundai A-League domination.
Few expected the 20-year-old to deliver such potency in an orange shirt, which has guided him to the top of the Roar's goalscoring charts and second in the league with nine goals his breakout year - but Moss, a former teammate at the Phoenix and the New Zealand national team and the man who will be tasked with limiting his influence on Boxing Day, was well aware.
"I can honestly say that's no surprise to me," he said. "I've known Kosta for a couple of years and it was only a matter of time before he broke the shackles and now he's banging in goals for fun. I'm pleased to see the kid doing well but hopefully he doesn't do that well Sunday."
I could'nt agree more.
Perhaps the other doubters on the forum might now believe that Kosta was always good enough.
We did try, we loaned him to McArthur Rams after season 1 to get some game time in the NSWPL. However he only started 6 games, played 21 games and only 803min in 3 seasons. He already has twice as many minutes this season alone.
I suppose there are certain elements that have contributed to this, firstly there was no reserve team which I think has benefited Rojas greatly, not so much in his development but to show Ricki that he is up to playing and something that Kosta did not have to fall back on if he wasn't in the match day squad (also a reason he went to Brisbane was them having a youth team squad for him to play).
Injuries at Roar to Henrique, Reinaldo and delay in Solorzano did afford Kosta more game time than probably he and Ange expected.
So in summary, we could have done better but there were circumstances that ham-strung the club a bit and Kosta has had a bit of fortune to cement his spot at Roar.
He was dropped 2 games after winning MOM for us wasnt he?
Andrew Gourdie described him as a Wellington reject, and Steven Stuart describes him as a guy who turned his back on the Wellington Phoenix.
I wouldn't think of him as a reject at all. I'd be more than happy to see him get a run and judging by Ricki's cheeky comment 'lets see if his name comes up', I'm sure we will.
I wouldn't think of him as a reject at all. I'd be more than happy to see him get a run and judging by Ricki's cheeky comment 'lets see if his name comes up', I'm sure we will.
Herbert really just winds me up at the moment. All of this mystery, these attempts to elevate himself above everyone else in the country really REALLY annoys me. WHy can't he just say "he's playing very well, clearly he's going to be part of the future for the All Whites and he's a strong chance of selection." All this stuff about is he going to be selected, isn't he, you'll all have to wait and see...just grinds my gears!
sounding pretty bitter there JD
His team made tvnz's list of top 10 breakthroughs.
http://tvnz.co.nz/othersports-news/top-10-breakthroughs-3985474
Brisbane Roar
Coming off their worst ever finish (second to last) in the A-League after being hindered by injuries and a coach sacked for drink-driving, the Roar have recovered to become competition frontrunners for 2010/11.
They sit ten points clear of their next closest rivals Adelaide with a goal differential of 23. It may pain many Phoenix fans to note one of the keys to Brisbane's resurgence has been former Wellington striker Kosta Barbarouses. He left the Phoenix due to a lack of opportunity and is the second highest goal scorer in the competition with nine (two of which came against his old club).
It seems the only thing left for the Roar to complete their turnaround is for them to claim an elusive first A-League title.
"Kosta come back, any kind of fan could see
There was something in everything about you
Kosta come back, you can blame it on Ricki
He was wrong, and we just can't live without you.. x2"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYsKDaQIX54
http://tvnz.co.nz/football-news/roar-boast-quality-3985646
some quotes from Kosta
"We are pretty confident we can do a good job - there is only a couple of players in the Gold Coast side that has some quality," he said.
"But I think we have quality all over the pitch and we should be able to deal with them alright."
"Barbarouses has emerged as one of the A-League's great strike weapons, moving to equal second in league goal scoring with nine, one behind Melbourne's Robbie Kruse.
Remarkably, he couldn't get a regular starting berth with ex-club Wellington.
"I have come from playing not much football in Wellington - (Roar coach) Ange (Postecoglou) and the rest of the staff have put a lot of belief in me," he said.
"Their faith and my hard work is starting to pay off."Much debate about the penalty as well.
New to it then?
Asked why he signed an unknown Kosta from Wellington.
Anmswer- As you guys know I was a youth coach. The first time I saw him play I could see the potential.
Kiwi Kosta eyes Australia Day victory
Thursday, 20 January 2011 by Michelle Tobin
Kosta Barbarouses may be a proud and patriotic New Zealander but the young striker has his sights firmly set on three points when Brisbane Roar take on his former club Wellington Phoenix next week on Australia Day.
The 20-year-old was born and bred in the city of Wellington before his move across the Tasman prior to the current Hyundai A-League season and has played for New Zealand at Under 15, Under 17, Under 20 and Under 23 levels.
His representative duties have included wearing the captain�s armband in New Zealand's U17 FIFA World Cup campaign in 2007 � an honour he describes as his best personal football moment to date.
With the New Zealand Football Federation already confirming seven fixtures over the course of the year, Barbarouses also has high hopes of adding to his one All Whites cap in 2011 and sees Wednesday�s fixture as a prime opportunity to showcase his talents in front of Phoenix and All Whites boss Ricki Herbert.
�I didn�t even know next Wednesday was Australia Day to be honest!� Barbarouses said with a laugh after training.
�It will be good to play Wellington again, we�ve beaten them twice this year and it was especially good to go home and beat them as well.
�Hopefully we can make it three in a row because we really need the three points as well.
�I personally prefer the mid-week games, getting as many games under my belt as I can.
�I don�t know about the rest of the boys but as a young player, it�s been great to get so many games in such a short amount of time.�
Barbarouses had to make do with limited game time throughout his three seasons as a Phoenix player, making 21 appearances, mostly off the substitutes� bench, and scoring just twice in the process.
However, this Hyundai A-League season has been a different story for the young striker, flourishing within the new style of football adopted by coach Ange Postecoglou with confidence levels at an all-time high following the Brisbane mentor�s faith in signing him to a multi-year deal prior to season start.
A telling indication of his talent, Barbarouses has scored 10 goals so far this season, joint second in the competition behind Adelaide United hitman Sergio van Dijk with fellow youngster Robbie Kruse, Central Coast�s Matt Simon and teammate Jean Carlos Solorzano.
With that in mind, the New Zealander hasn�t found the back of the net in his past three outings but has an enviable record against his former employers, scoring against them in both encounters this season.
�I haven�t scored in a few games now but I don�t really care who I score against, I just think it�s time for me to get back on the scoresheet,� he said.
�We�ve been working on things that we can improve on from our past few games, like our shape.
�We�ve had one tough session this week and we�ve got another one tomorrow so we�ll be primed for Wednesday.�
After the severe weather conditions over the past week in south-east Queensland, Brisbane Roar confirmed yesterday that the team�s next two Hyundai A-League fixtures would take place down at Skilled Park, Robina.
While admitting the change of venue was an obstacle, Barbarouses pointed out the team had overcome greater challenges during their rise to the top of the Hyundai A-League ladder.
�We�ve been very good at home, haven�t lost there yet this season,� he said.
�It�ll be a bit of a loss because everyone in the team loves playing at Suncorp.
�Obviously it�s out of our hands and there�s nothing we can do about to but to be honest, we�ve probably had worse thrown at us this year so we�ll move on with it and do our best.�
Can anyone expand on this?
Surely here of the Dutch league should be his aim?