Yeah if I had to say anything about him - left winger, very skillful dribbler, not the best crosser but will look to cut inside and beat his man (fits in with Uffie's Sydney 4-2-2-2). Better than Devlin by a large distance and should compete for a starting spot
Sounds promising! This who Rollo was referring to as being announced this week?
Stunning pickup, know quite a bit about him and he'll probably go straight into the first team. You don't spend 6 years at Inter for nothing. This is quality and we beat off quite a few Serie A/B clubs for his signature if reports are to be believed
What reports said we beat off Serie A or B clubs?
Sokkah Twitter went on about it a couple months ago when the season was winding up - also found this, this and this. Pretty decent beating out Juventus to sign him aye
Just to clarify, that's Juventus U23 (or reserve team) that they're talking about. They play in Serie C.
Just reading those reports it sounds like it was mainly Serie B and C clubs - but yes Juve U23 were interested and that's definitely a good sign.
Should be a good pick-up. I'm also curious as to why he'd choose us - maybe he wants to get into the Socceroos and think he'd get more exposure playing in the national league here than he would in Serie B or C in Italy?
Just reading those reports it sounds like it was mainly Serie B and C clubs - but yes Juve U23 were interested and that's definitely a good sign.
Should be a good pick-up. I'm also curious as to why he'd choose us - maybe he wants to get into the Socceroos and think he'd get more exposure playing in the national league here than he would in Serie B or C in Italy?
Don't underestimate Sarpreet's story in these kind of transfers. Sure he knows Talay from Aussie youth teams but Singh's progress to and at Bayern shows prospective players that they can come here and kick on to something bigger.
Maybe both?
People like Coldplay and voted for the Nazis. You can't trust people.
It's Matti Steinmann!
EDIT: interestingly he's on a 1 year deal only.
The German midfielder speculation has gone very quiet so my assumption is that it's not happening; it will be the Aussie.
Valley FC til I die?
The German midfielder speculation has gone very quiet so my assumption is that it's not happening; it will be the Aussie.
Some very complimentary comments on his Fifa19 card
"German/finnish Busquets... plays football with his mind not only his feet"
"Absolut Mastermind. Needs 85 ball control"
Certainly a lot more positive than what was commented on Kopa's one!
Another youthful signing by Talay. Should have the stamina and workrate that Mandi lacked. Hopefully has a similar vision and passing range.
Also hope we complete the signing of young Piscopo, he looks like an exciting prospect.
I like this signing a lot. Of course it's a gamble, but he has pedigree. I think a good player in this position will be crucial if we want our fullbacks to play high up, and it seems they will be providing the width in our system this year
Normo's coming home
The German midfielder speculation has gone very quiet so my assumption is that it's not happening; it will be the Aussie.
I should always listen to Tonya
I should always listen to Tonya
I should always listen to Tonya
I should always listen to Tonya
I should always listen to Tonya
I should always listen to Tonya
I should always listen to Tonya
I should always listen to Tonya
Great signing, very excited by this one. Disappointed it's only a 1 year deal, but what can you do.
a.haak
Some very complimentary comments on his Fifa19 card
"German/finnish Busquets... plays football with his mind not only his feet"
"Absolut Mastermind. Needs 85 ball control"
Certainly a lot more positive than what was commented on Kopa's one!
Maybe finally some good goals scored from a header!
Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days
Visa striker to come in for Sotirio & Piscopo hopefully to replace Devlin. Right back is still very much a worry tho.
Visa striker to come in for Sotirio & Piscopo hopefully to replace Devlin. Right back is still very much a worry tho.
Assuming Fenton is fit by the start of the season (I've no idea how long he is out for) ... aren't we OK at RB?
Visa striker to come in for Sotirio & Piscopo hopefully to replace Devlin. Right back is still very much a worry tho.
Assuming Fenton is fit by the start of the season (I've no idea how long he is out for) ... aren't we OK at RB?
Depends on whether you think Elliot is a RB or not. I do not.
a.haak
Elliot is clearly a RB first and foremost in our squad, don't think that's really up for debate?
Better than TAHW there anyway, based on Wednesday. Neither were great defensively, but Elliot was far more likely to commit and then go past a defender. His movement was more dynamic in general, but it was clear he has work to do to transition from playing as RWB in a back 5 to RB in a back 4 - was noticeable how deep especially Devlin was dropping to mark the Striker's advanced fullbacks. Big adjustment to go from being the widest player in a defensive line to having someone outside you.
I've watched Callan play since he was 5, he's more than up to this.
Valley FC til I die?
So if we sign an import ST now and what looks likely Piscopo it'll bring the squad up to 21 pretty well covered in defence and will be in attack maybe another CM and the squad would be pretty much complete
Elliot is clearly a RB first and foremost in our squad, don't think that's really up for debate?
Better than TAHW there anyway, based on Wednesday. Neither were great defensively, but Elliot was far more likely to commit and then go past a defender. His movement was more dynamic in general, but it was clear he has work to do to transition from playing as RWB in a back 5 to RB in a back 4 - was noticeable how deep especially Devlin was dropping to mark the Striker's advanced fullbacks. Big adjustment to go from being the widest player in a defensive line to having someone outside you.
I've watched Callan play since he was 5, he's more than up to this.
Fair enough. From what I've seen, Elliot doesn't have the recovery pace when he gets beaten. He's decent as a winger as he's quite tricky and has a low centre of gravity.
TAHW struggled because Devlin didn't track runners properly and their communication wasn't really there.
You've seen him play more, though, so will trust your judgment. Just based on his appearances for us, I can't see him quite working as a RB in the A-League.
I see TAHW as the more defensive option, though not sure how comfortable he really is there.
a.haak
Fenton, Elliot and TAHW are all midfielders/attackers trained into playing in defense over the past few seasons, and that doesn't exactly fill me with much confidence at RB. Feel a bit exposed now that we have a potential Corey Brown position that other teams will target
Fenton, Elliot and TAHW are all midfielders/attackers trained into playing in defense over the past few seasons, and that doesn't exactly fill me with much confidence at RB
Valley FC til I die?
Fenton, Elliot and TAHW are all midfielders/attackers trained into playing in defense over the past few seasons, and that doesn't exactly fill me with much confidence at RB. Feel a bit exposed now that we have our Corey Brown position
Worked for Kimmich and TAA one of two best RB's in the world rn, seems like the trend with fullbacks atm
Fenton, Elliot and TAHW are all midfielders/attackers trained into playing in defense over the past few seasons, and that doesn't exactly fill me with much confidence at RB
Yeh indeed, and he's done really well - though we were all lacking confidence when we realised Cacace would be our starting LB last season under Rudan, but he proved us wrong
I still think Cacace is a bit wasted at LB, but there you go.
a.haak
I still think Cacace is a bit wasted at LB, but there you go.
Strikes me as a guy that can play anywhere, would love to see him have a run in Payne's place if Scott or someone else plays a blinder
Exactly right. After seeing the way the Strikers skinned Duvere again and again, a deep lying midfielder to shield (and sometimes sit between) the CBs is essential. Would love to be able to use the term 'fulcrum' with regards to Steinmann.
Exactly right. After seeing the way the Strikers skinned Duvere again and again, a deep lying midfielder to shield (and sometimes sit between) the CBs is essential. Would love to be able to use the term 'fulcrum' with regards to Steinmann.
Think we have a lot of those players - Payne, Rufer, TAHW, now Steinmann (assuming he plays like it says on the tin)
a.haak