I was geting quite excited by all the transfers and anouncement
been made 10 days ago and was beginning to amp for the season
ahead.
but now, i'm just waiting, when is he next signing going to be
announced, who are the other under 20 players etc etc.
Have I MISSED SOMETHING?
I suspect at least part of Ricki's time is focussed on the AW's
trip...
I think I saw it somewhere before, Ricki said
"75% of the squad will be ready before 20 May" or something like this and sounds very confident.
which means we should sign at least 15 players before 20th.
But we can only wait and see..
"75% of the squad will be ready before 20 May" or something like this and sounds very confident.
which means we should sign at least 15 players before 20th.
But we can only wait and see..
Well, there's still 4 days between now and the 20th, so I'm sure
that's plenty of time.
To be honest, I was expecting the lull a lot earlier. Its
awesome we have a team, and learning about signings is great, but
now we're all just waiting for some football...
I think well find ourselves 'bored' for the remainder of the off
season. Everythings been said and signings almost complete. Theyll
be alot more to talk about closer to the opener.
Hope we all get excited after the signing of the other 3 imports.
Maybe both jobs are too much
Are you Noah in disguise?
"You can never get a bloody tradesman at Easter, it's a wonder Jesus got crucified" - Karl Pilkington
I think Ricki will leave one import slot open for closer to the
season - good marketing to have a big announcement that close to
the season starting.
Peoples Republik of Aucklandia
Two spots apparently PROAK, based on the Phoenix newsletter we all
got mailed this evening. Ricki is talking about using the
pre-season cup to trial for the last two spots. Totori,
Barron and co. hopefully getting a chance if they aren't in the
initial 21.
A semi reliable source in Aus (he got the first five signings right) reckons Covs is signed and sealed and likely to be announced any time.
A semi reliable source in Aus (he got the first five signings right) reckons Covs is signed and sealed and likely to be announced any time.
Why the lull? It's because we are faced with an off-season that
spans half the year, and a little more if your side fails to make
the finals series. What are the fans supposed to talk about? It's
hard in a developing league that has no off-season talk, except for
signings in the last couple of months. It's easy in Europe - there
is practically no off-season there, as there is other competition
for the fans to focus on.
Perhaps once the generic A-League fans warm to the Asian Champions League and get used to the idea, in a few years there won't be such a lull.
Perhaps once the generic A-League fans warm to the Asian Champions League and get used to the idea, in a few years there won't be such a lull.
Be nice if we actually got TV coverage of the ACL. It's not
like those mercenary f**ks at SKY have any other live sport on on a
Wednesday night...
...yes, I still hold a grudge.
...yes, I still hold a grudge.
agreed,
since the Knights don't get to qualify for the Asian champs
and unltimately the club champs will they then get to atleast play
off against the top AFC side to go through, or perhaps play in the
ofc.
Atleast that way we'd get more games to watch and
follow.
The who 
Mods there has to be
penance served for that slip.
Mods there has to be
penance served for that slip.
GET YOUR SHIRTS OFF FOR THE BOYS
Why the lull? It's because we are faced with an off-season that
spans half the year, and a little more if your side fails to make
the finals series. What are the fans supposed to talk about? It's
hard in a developing league that has no off-season talk, except for
signings in the last couple of months. It's easy in Europe - there
is practically no off-season there, as there is other competition
for the fans to focus on.
Perhaps once the generic A-League fans warm to the Asian Champions League and get used to the idea, in a few years there won't be such a lull.
Perhaps once the generic A-League fans warm to the Asian Champions League and get used to the idea, in a few years there won't be such a lull.
On the money, mate.
That's why, despite the financial concerns, I can't wait for
the league to beef up to 12/16 teams, home and away - with an FA
Cup-like comp running throughout the second half of the season (and
with the finals series scrapped). The season could run for 34
weeks of the year and maintain interest for a lot longer.
Yeah that would be HUGE!!! Id love a FA cup sort of thing to
happen, that would only make the league more interesting and grow
in reputation. 2 years into the A-league and all hopes are set high
and the way its going i think itll get even bigger with years to
come.
On the money, mate.
That's why, despite the financial concerns, I can't wait for
the league to beef up to 12/16 teams, home and away - with an FA
Cup-like comp running throughout the second half of the season (and
with the finals series scrapped). The season could run for 34
weeks of the year and maintain interest for a lot longer.
GET YOUR SHIRTS OFF FOR THE BOYS
Cant really see an Aussie competition dropping the finals format
its in nearly all their sport and ingrained in a lot of the
thinking unfortunately.
Valid point, and I agree with you there, the finals series is one of the things that make the A-league unique and it gives teams who may be second or third a chance of excelling at the end of the year. BUT the system doesn't reward the PREMIERS of the competition. The team on top isn't rewarded any more than the side that finishes 2nd. I was thinking about it this morning, and pondered if a system similar to the CC Championship in England, where the top 2 sides redeem automatic promotion and 3-6 playoff for the 3rd spot.
Why not the premiers earn their just rewards by gaining a spot in the Grand Final, and 2nd to 5th play in a similar playoffs system for the 2nd spot? I'm sure it's not a flawless system, but its an idea.
And as for an FA Cup-style tournament, Football Manager 2007 has already invented something like that.
They call it the Australian Cup, and the 8
A-League teams play in a knockout system with state league sides. I
like the format, especially when sides like Bankstown and South
Melbourne knock off the Adelaides and Sydneys. 
Also a good chance to trial youngsters and
back-up players against the lesser sides. I also got knocked out by
the Knights in my first season. How embarrassing!good post, i like that about FM07 having the aus
cup. it would be cool to see something like that.
the finals series is one of the things that make the A-league
unique and it gives teams who may be second or third a chance of
excelling at the end of the year.
League football should be about who does the best over the
course of the season - not about who comes good for the last few
weeks - but I suppose you have to play to the expectations of the
sporting public if you want the game to take off.
good post, i like that about FM07 having the aus
cup. it would be cool to see something like that.
Enjoy it it in 07... it's likely to be gone for '08.
Cant really see an Aussie competition dropping the finals format
its in nearly all their sport and ingrained in a lot of the
thinking unfortunately.
Why not the premiers earn their just rewards by gaining a spot in the Grand Final, and 2nd to 5th play in a similar playoffs system for the 2nd spot? I'm sure it's not a flawless system, but its an idea.
Yeah i see this as a better alternative for the reason above.
The winners of the 'league' still have to bust balls and risk
player injury, in run up to the final, and get no advantage except
a home game or two. The automatic Grand final promotion thing
sounds a lot better.
It would also have alot to do with money. the finals series will
generate a lot of income for the a-league in sponsership
crowds merchanidising etc and would be a bit of a "cash cow"
for the competiton.
I think the lull of signings should continue till afterthe weekend
with All Blacks + Juniors announced today it will be difficult to
get exposure from any sorts of media. Monday should be fine.
A 16 team comp with no finals series, no relegation and only one
ACL spot to play for? That's the biggest load of mince ever - can
you imagine what the crowds would be like when the second half of
the season threw up a million dead rubber games? Reminds me of the
NSL and the farcical finals series in the second last season.
If your bored come along to the Under 20's vs Wellington Select,
Monday, Ole Academy, 7pm kickoff.