January 2014 Transfer Window

Tulip

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It's a league that is still in its relative infancy taking place on the other side of the world in a non-footballing stronghold, without anywhere near the money of most other leagues worldwide. What do you expect?

The games has made massive progress in this country - the standard of the league is improving all the times, as is the calibre of player it is attracting. It is a viable pathway into the better leagues for young players. And it is accessible to everyone.

There are a lot of "Eurosnobs" (not referring to you specifically) who dismiss the A-League because it is the "cool" thing to do - despite these people never having been to a match or if they have, never having tried to give the league a proper go.

If people like you were a little bit more open-minded on the matter then you might find that the league is not really so bad after all.
Don't rate the A-League because it's so poorly coached. Lots of teams set up not to lose, and even more of them sign overrated foreign coaches in the hope that they'll bring a touch of Europe to the league.

Having said that, I'm going on Australia Day which will be my second match this season. Looking forward to seeing ADP in the flesh, and to get a look at Tom Rogic.
 

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Bardo State

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Tommy Rogic to the Victory on loan til May, great news for not only Victory but the national team and it'll help him immensely. But seriously if he can't get a game in the SPL then I wonder how good he really can become, luckily he has time on his side.

Agreed that the Scottish PL is a terrible standard (probably about A-League standard other than Celtic) but Celtic are a decent team and Rogic plays in the same position as their captain, best player and leading goal scorer. I would have much rather he went to Holland or a lower level team in Germany. Not only would he have gotten more game time but he would have been in a league that better suited his strengths.

Anyway playing in the A-League is definitely a better proposition than sitting on the bench for Celtic. So on that front it's a win for the national team.
 

ilikepotatoes

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Disagree. Im football mad, completely football mad. But if the passion isnt there, it isnt there. You cant pretend. I love LFC with every fibre of my being. Perth Glory? I couldnt name anyone who plays for them.

Simple as that really. Just because I love football doesnt mean I have to love the A-League.
Unless you have been living under a rock, I am sure you could at least name one or two.

Regarding Perth though they have signed Davrydas Sernas and Nebojsa Marinkovic, whilst Adrian Madaschi and Rostyn Griffiths are training with the club.
 

SM

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Unless you have been living under a rock, I am sure you could at least name one or two.

Regarding Perth though they have signed Davrydas Sernas and Nebojsa Marinkovic, whilst Adrian Madaschi and Rostyn Griffiths are training with the club.
William Gallas should be an easy one at the very least.
 

Shoei

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so onto an actual transfer

vucinic-guarin straight swap apparently happening.
The tabloids will be gutted that Vucinic wont be joining Arsenal no matter how many times they write it.

I'd still take Berbatov for 2 Million before the window closes.
 

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Jatz

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Can we leave the A League spat out of this thread? Create another thread if you want to carry on about that crap.
 

Bunk Moreland

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I accept that overall depth wise L2 may be somewhat similar (though I still think the A League is superior), however at the top end of each squad it’s no contest. Almost all AL clubs have 1 or 2 permanent players who would step straight into top tier European football – for example the likes of Rojas, Rogic, Kruse and Ryan. This is what the A League produces and these quality players are around the place.

L2 doesn’t have this, because anybody who shows this type of ability is snapped up by big English clubs at a very young age – they never make it to senior league level at their club.

We all know the difference a couple of these players can make to formation and game style – the effect on a game is big.

There’s even been talk in recent years and some noise from some of the lowlier clubs to make L2 semi-pro.

I’d argue that solid, well organised A League teams (basket cases like MH are a different story) would fair decently in League 1, and challenge clubs in the lower half of the Championship. Top championship clubs would do them easily – it’s a big league with a fair gulf between top and bottom.

Lower league English football (L1 and below) has been on the decline for years now – the money in the premiership means anyone of any ability is scooped up well before they reach senior level (typically to sit on the bench and play reserves for their new club). All they can be replaced with is more kids or 40yo journeymen. For all its riches, the Premier League has really rooted English football in a lot of ways – the economic gulf between the top tier and the bottom is staggering. There’s probably a pool of around 30 clubs who are either genuine Premiership clubs or have reasonable designs on being so in the not too distant future. After that she drops away very quickly.
 

ADL9798

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Think he has a future at Liverpool? I always liked him.
Tough one, he showed a lot early on (including being named young player of the tournament at the 2011 Copa America) and I know CB's typically take longer to develop because of the importance of composure and experience in that position, but he's 23 and he's a long way back in the pecking order right now. Honestly I can't see him coming back to Liverpool after this move. Agger, Sakho, Skrtel, Toure, Wisdom, Kelly and now probably Ilori too will be blocking his path to the first team once he finishes his recovery and whether it's on loan or a permanent move he's going to need to go elsewhere to continue his development.
 

Jatz

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37 mil is the reported figure I saw. In isolation, he's worth it. Considering he isn't getting game time though, I can't imagine Chelsea would get that for him.
 

ADL9798

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If people think Jose will sell to Man United they should probably wake up sometime around now.
Depends how badly he wants Rooney. In isolation neither club would consider selling such talented players to a rival, but if Chelsea are banging down United's door for Rooney I really wouldn't be surprised if Moyes told Mourinho he'll have to send Mata in exchange if he wants to get the deal done. Having said that, I'm not sure that Mata would agree to it, I'm sure he'll have plenty of offers.
 

Cruyff14

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Depends how badly he wants Rooney. In isolation neither club would consider selling such talented players to a rival, but if Chelsea are banging down United's door for Rooney I really wouldn't be surprised if Moyes told Mourinho he'll have to send Mata in exchange if he wants to get the deal done. Having said that, I'm not sure that Mata would agree to it, I'm sure he'll have plenty of offers.
Don't be silly. Moyes isn't that smart.
 
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