Mega Thread The Random Thoughts Thread Part 1

[Doctor Feel]

I'm not saying the A league has been some kind of brilliant masterstroke - there's been plenty of mistakes. But I believe a new start was needed.

There's been decent growth in attendances and viewers since, too. 50,000 to a domestic final in Adelaide is impressive, regardless of the blow in factor.

During the NSL years many clubs were run with a boys club type mentality. You needed to know someone to get in the door. I know of examples of young players who were easily good enough to make it, but didn't even get a look in. Now, I know that hasn't completely changed, but I think the league is becoming more professional and we'll see better recruitment and development from that.

Essentially all I want is to see the game grow and develop as it should in Australia, and I see more chance of that happening under the current set up.

Lol instead we just employ old blokes from overseas and no one ever understands a word said in post match interviews. I've got no issue with this whatsoever but to say our kids get more of a look in is a stretch.

 

[tribey]

I'm not saying the A league has been some kind of brilliant masterstroke - there's been plenty of mistakes. But I believe a new start was needed.

There's been decent growth in attendances and viewers since, too. 50,000 to a domestic final in Adelaide is impressive, regardless of the blow in factor.

During the NSL years many clubs were run with a boys club type mentality. You needed to know someone to get in the door. I know of examples of young players who were easily good enough to make it, but didn't even get a look in. Now, I know that hasn't completely changed, but I think the league is becoming more professional and we'll see better recruitment and development from that.

Essentially all I want is to see the game grow and develop as it should in Australia, and I see more chance of that happening under the current set up.

Debatable regarding player development.

Who's the best Australian player to come through in the past 10 years after Mile Jedinak (who was raised at Sydney United)?

We haven't had a player come through who can hold a candle to guys reared by NSL clubs: Vidmar x 2, Kewell, Okon, Cahill, Zelic, Viduka, Emerton, (Simunic), et al.

 

[Dylan8]

I've got no issue with this whatsoever but to say our kids get more of a look in is a stretch.

How many A-League players can you name

 

[Doctor Feel]

Debatable regarding player development.

Who's the best Australian player to come through in the past 10 years after Mile Jedinak (who was raised at Sydney United)?

We haven't had a player come through who can hold a candle to guys reared by NSL clubs: Vidmar x 2, Kewell, Okon, Cahill, Zelic, Viduka, Emerton, (Simunic), et al.

Robbie Kruse goes alright. Not really in the same breath as those other blokes though.

 

[Doctor Feel]

How many A-League players can you name

Plenty, whether I pronounce them correctly though.

 

[Moo87]

Debatable regarding player development.

Who's the best Australian player to come through in the past 10 years after Mile Jedinak (who was raised at Sydney United)?

We haven't had a player come through who can hold a candle to guys reared by NSL clubs: Vidmar x 2, Kewell, Okon, Zelic, Viduka, Emerton, et al.

I think it will take more time to tell if it bear fruit.

That was certainly the best crop we've ever produced, but I'm hoping with time that may become the norm. Lately I feel too many leave too early for the allure of Europe, and end up stifling their development by sitting on a bench or in the ressies somewhere, but that's a bit of a different point.

Lol instead we just employ old blokes from overseas and no one ever understands a word said in post match interviews. I've got no issue with this whatsoever but to say our kids get more of a look in is a stretch.

I mean specifically that the A league clubs are setting a wider net for local recruiting than previously in the NSL days.

 

[Doctor Feel]

I think it will take more time to tell if it bear fruit.

That was certainly the best crop we've ever produced, but I'm hoping with time that may become the norm. Lately I feel too many leave too early for the allure of Europe, and end up stifling their development by sitting on a bench or in the ressies somewhere, but that's a bit of a different point.



I mean specifically that the A league clubs are setting a wider net for local recruiting than previously in the NSL days.

First point is a good one. It's going to take time to see, but there is some early promise with the fact it looks like we will make the world cup a number of times in a row.

 

[Powerade 08]

Lol instead we just employ old blokes from overseas and no one ever understands a word said in post match interviews. I've got no issue with this whatsoever but to say our kids get more of a look in is a stretch.

Yep. Plenty of very talented young guys not getting the A-League games they need. I know quite a few of em.

Then if they do get a game and they end up playing well they go to Europe and sit on the bench. Oh well.

 

[Powerade 08]

Who's the best Australian player to come through in the past 10 years after Mile Jedinak (who was raised at Sydney United)?

Leckie is the Pittard of the current group. Give him time.

 

[Dylan8]

Reading that Tottenham have never won at the Bridge in the Premier League era. Plz hold on Leicester.

 

[CrimsonRaven]

Reading that Tottenham have never won at the Bridge in the Premier League era. Plz hold on Leicester.

If we were ever going to do it this year is the year.

 

[SilenceOz]

Never been into soccer, which player is the biggest diver?
I've seen some crazy clips on youtube of people giving oscar worthy performances.

 

[Dylan8]

I'm pretty unfamiliar with really shit late night TV filler since I'm not a pothead but I've spent the last 10 minutes watching some gorgeous girl repeat the same thing about calling in to answer a question about what car brand ends in the letter A. She runs out of things to say every 20 seconds. This is hell.

 

[Dylan8]

Never been into soccer, which player is the biggest diver?
I've seen some crazy clips on youtube of people giving oscar worthy performances.

Ashley Young and Luis Suarez come to mind

 

[Dylan8]

I'm pretty unfamiliar with really shit late night TV filler since I'm not a pothead but I've spent the last 10 minutes watching some gorgeous girl repeat the same thing about calling in to answer a question about what car brand ends in the letter A. She runs out of things to say every 20 seconds. This is hell.

The answer was Lucra, as if anyone was going to guess that.

 

[SilenceOz]

The answer was Lucra, as if anyone was going to guess that.

If you were a pothead you might of.

 

[Eddie Dingle]

Reading that Tottenham have never won at the Bridge in the Premier League era. Plz hold on Leicester.

I feel dirty saying this but....

Go Chelski.

Anyone but the spuz filth.

 

[FromTheHartland]

The answer was Lucra, as if anyone was going to guess that.

What about Skoda... I'm sending in a complaint to whatever garbage 24-7 ad channel you were watching.

I watched an infomercial about some fancy pants removable vice for about 15 they didn't once tell you how much it cost..... Then it repeats again. It's insanity!

 

[John the Butcher]

I'm pretty unfamiliar with really shit late night TV filler since I'm not a pothead but I've spent the last 10 minutes watching some gorgeous girl repeat the same thing about calling in to answer a question about what car brand ends in the letter A. She runs out of things to say every 20 seconds. This is hell.

Ah yes, Call and Win. They're campaigners.
The answers are always AC, BAC, Nota, Lucia etc. never ever Renault or Holden.
It's funny watching their bs and hearing people call in (responding to car brands) saying COMMODORE!?

 

[Janus]

Debatable regarding player development.

Who's the best Australian player to come through in the past 10 years after Mile Jedinak (who was raised at Sydney United)?

We haven't had a player come through who can hold a candle to guys reared by NSL clubs: Vidmar x 2, Kewell, Okon, Cahill, Zelic, Viduka, Emerton, (Simunic), et al.

Do you even know why that is? Guys like Vidmar, Kewell, Viduka, Emerton, Chipperfield, Schwarzer, Bosnich etc were all raised back in an era where family ties and connection back to their parents' home land was strong. The NSL was formed in 1977 to take advantage of this, and these guys were raised at a time when soccer was ostracised. So all they had was playing a game that they were indoctrinated to love by their parents. They came through at a time when the NSL was at its peak, with clubs that could develop kids from a young age all the way up to senior level.

When the A-League was formed, it was clear that the NSL model of development first wasn't sustainable, because that league had collapsed under falling attendances and spiralling costs. It was important to make sure the league was self-sufficient, and the only way they could do that was by spending money that would have been spent on development on promotion and marketing.

So the reality is that from the death of the NSL, which started around 2000 (if the Socceroos had qualified for 98 like they should have this wouldn't have happened) to the birth and development of the A-League, which really only started to find its feet five years in (2010), there has been a generation of players lost simply because the development pathways weren't there.

Of course, things are changing now. Adelaide United has a youth team that plays in the National Premier League, and actually wanted to create an under 12s system but the existing clubs in SA blocked that because they would have been starved of the money they get for developing players. The Central Coast Mariners have built a $100m Centre of Excellence where their academy players can train etc.

We are starting to develop technical players who are gifted and actually play roles, but you won't see them for another five or six years. When you get 50k into Adelaide Oval for a GF...that's something that the NSL only dreamed of. And it puts into the hearts of kids who are good at soccer that it's not a game that is ostracised in this country anymore.

 

[Dalfino]

Just found out BigFooty and Netflix are unblocked on the internet at my school.

Not bad for my first day back.

 

[Schulzenfest]

 

[I Dont Care]

Just found out BigFooty and Netflix are unblocked on the internet at my school.

Not bad for my first day back.

Awesome

 

[I Dont Care]

View attachment 242268

Seems legit

 

[Dylan8]

ok well