Asian Champions League: Gamba Osaka v Melbourne Victory

[Ray Nolan]

All discussion for the Asian Champions League match between Gamba Osaka & Melbourne Victory may be posted in this thread. It will be stickied until next Sunday.

BROADCAST DETAILS:

Wednesday 23 April 2008

LIVE - FOX SPORTS 3 (VIEWERS CHOICE) - 8pm EST, 7:30pm CST, 6pm WST

 

[jefffff34]

Allsopp to push for national honours with a hat trick hopefully. He has 3 in 2 after all.

 

[Lowie01]

Unfortunately it will probably be in another 4-3 loss.

All I ask is that Merrick give Nathan Elasi a go at some stage. I haven't seen him yet, but they signed him for two years and surely there is at least a chance to bring him off the bench with so few striking options.

 

[ErnieSigley]

Is Pondeljak in the squad?

 

[Lowie01]

Is Pondeljak in the squad?

Yep. In for the injured Vasilevski.

 

[thebigboy]

Is Pondeljak in the squad?

Probably come off the bench

 

[youngsaint]

If only Ernie gave Patafta a go we would be top of the group.

 

[thebigboy]

If only Ernie gave Patafta a go we would be top of the group.

According to the Age he's a chance to start tonight. Same as the season itself though, were playing him when its too late.

 

[ErnieSigley]

Yes Kaz would have made a huge difference.

 

[peternorth]

0-0 so far 20.33 mins in

lol before the game the osaka fans singing "you are not alone" by michael jackson. either that or they adopted the tune for their anthem

 

[peternorth]

1-0 to osaka

theoklitos beaten at near post after a nice angled run my yamazaki who scores

 

[NMFCMUFC]

Top Quality goal nothing you can do about that.

 

[mushda]

2-0 now, Yamazaki again.

 

[numchuks]

Victory are shit.

 

[jefffff34]

Two goals down, 20 to go, bring on ____ing Pantaledis.

What a ____ing disgrace.

At least pretend to be attack minded when behind, just pretend.

 

[ErnieSigley]

I think Merrick was allowed the benefit of the doubt for V3 of A-league, now they have well behind the pace in Asia questions must be asked.

Questions like
Is Muscat finished and have too much influence?
Why do we lack of a good import?
Why go through the year with only 2 strikers?
Why insist on players that aren't up to to it? eg Broxham
Why was Caceres(whose desire is questionable at the best of times) allowed to play knowing he was leaving?
Does Ward have cronic injuries?
Why wasn't Pondeljak used earlier in the campaign?
How come Love was our only import left?

 

[thebigboy]

I think Merrick was allowed the benefit of the doubt for V3 of A-league, now they have well behind the pace in Asia questions must be asked.

Questions like
Is Muscat finished and have too much influence?
Why do we lack of a good import?
Why go through the year with only 2 strikers?
Why insist on players that aren't up to to it? eg Broxham
Why was Caceres(whose desire is questionable at the best of times) allowed to play knowing he was leaving?
Does Ward have cronic injuries?
Why wasn't Pondeljak used earlier in the campaign?
How come Love was our only import left?

Is Muscat finished and have too much influence? - He still has a role to play but he is slowing down very quickly.

Why do we lack of a good import? - 1 out of 3 isn't good enough. Loosing Hernandez was a huge blow but having Leandro and Keenan certainly are not as good as we can get.

Why go through the year with only 2 strikers? - If anybody knew why they did that, they could make millions.


Why insist on players that aren't up to to it? eg Broxham - Lack of alternatives. Its either him, Pace or Panta. Broxham is the best of those 3


Why was Caceres(whose desire is questionable at the best of times) allowed to play knowing he was leaving? - Here Here. Shouldn't have been included in the squad for the ACL at all.

Does Ward have cronic injuries? - No but he's the type of player that needs to be playing week in week out to play good football. I don't think he's naturally the fittest player.

Why wasn't Pondeljak used earlier in the campaign? - I think he was injured or needed a rest. I hope that was the reason because if it wasn't then i'd be suprised.

How come Love was our only import left? I think Merrick had some blind faith in him. Can be the only reason.

 

[jefffff34]

Pondeljak had had a knee injury.

 

[Lowie01]

Is Muscat finished and have too much influence?

For once, I agree with Andy Harper. Get him back into midfield where his lack of pace isn't such an issue and his ball-playing skills can have more impact. If we can finally get Piorkowski fit, we can slot him alongside Roddy, or move Ryall into central defence.

Why do we lack of a good import?

A lot of Australian teams lack a good import. And it doesn't help when our two main ones have missed the entire ACL campaign.

Why go through the year with only 2 strikers?

That I cannot answer. We did sign Nathan Elasi though, and we haven't put him out there yet. Unfortunately our back-up strikers have been absolutely woeful: Diaco, Claudinho, Leandro. Surely there's got to be someone better in the VPL.

Why insist on players that aren't up to to it? eg Broxham

When Broxham emerged late in the 06-07 season, I thought he was the bee's knees. Unfortunately our insistence on turning him into a stodgy DM seems to have ruined him - now he's just an annoying midget who can only pick up yellow cards. Someone give the lad some freedom.

Not sure who else you're referring to, but we are pissing off Caceres and Pantelidis is still a very handy member of the squad.

Why was Caceres(whose desire is questionable at the best of times) allowed to play knowing he was leaving?

Because he's under contract until June 30 and he should fulfil his obligations - no point letting a player go early for nothing.

Does Ward have cronic injuries?

We'll find out if/when he's able to get through a full pre-season training campaign and is hopefully able to gain some fitness. A fully fit Nick Ward however had the potential to be the best midfielder in the A-League, and he's worth persisting with.

Why wasn't Pondeljak used earlier in the campaign?

Injured.

How come Love was our only import left?

This I cannot answer. He should have been pissed off back to Kobe as soon as the A-League finished. I could not believe when Merrick sent him on instead of Elasi, with the game all but gone at 2-0. Pointless.

 

[JorgePosada]

That I cannot answer. We did sign Nathan Elasi though, and we haven't put him out there yet. Unfortunately our back-up strikers have been absolutely woeful: Diaco, Claudinho, Leandro. Surely there's got to be someone better in the VPL.

We did that and ended up with James Robinson!

Now, he has provided me with THE Victory moment of my life, but he was pretty ordinary.

 

[Lowie01]

We did that and ended up with James Robinson!

Now, he has provided me with THE Victory moment of my life, but he was pretty ordinary.

Ah yes, how can I forget that wonderful man.

I think his season with Perth has probably given us a value of his worth too - as you say, ordinary.

 

[GOALden Hawk]

Look, we were totally outclassed last night, Hernandez and Thompson would have gone OK but we just couldn't match a pretty good side.

Having said that Merrick's coaching and selection in these games was deplorable. Allsopp got crucified by having to play alone up front, and we all know Leandro is pants, so why put him in the squad? If Keenan can't even make the squad, sell him now.

And if you are going to pick Leandro, actually play him, otherwise it's just a waste of time.

And Muscat is in trouble, he is clearly struggling at the back. Can probably "hide" him in midfield, but I reckon next season will be his last. And where does that leave Broxham if you play him there?

It's all looking a bit grim, but if we can get a full side up and running next year I think we could be OK. So long as Ernie actually changes the tactics. All that long ball rubbish in the first half was a joke.

 

[ErnieSigley]

I believe Muscat himself feels more comfortable in defence. The main reason is his knees are stuffed and can't run out a game in midfield. He hasn't just slowed either, ever since he arrived back at the club he has been slow. Thats why he was taken away from playing as a full back.

No disputing Caceres is contracted to 30th June, playing him in the meanwhile is my concern. His efforts are questionable even prior his signing elsewhere.

 

[drewie_rama]

The trouble i see is that we just dont have any room left in the cap
When Muscat retires, we'll offload archie and let our sponsors pay his wage. Currently a third of muscats wage is paid for by The Age.

This will then free up room for a new marquee player.

This could happen earlier, but theres no chance in hell muscat will take a pay cut.

Merricks insistence on playing a DM is staggering. Nicky Ward playing in the championship in england played an awesome box to box game and he covers more territory than anyone. Him playing alongside hernandez is crucial next season.

The real thing we lack for me is width, and with caceras gone is only getting worse. We need an out and out winger, someone who will get to the byline and put crosses in.

I think it was Lowie who mentioned Piro, he had signed a pre contract agreement with the gold coast franchise, thats now gone **** up and hes still awaiting Melbourne to offer him a contract that isnt based on appearances. Would be a massive loss if he left.

My bet, Skoko has 1 year left on his contract, once muscat retires after this season and becomes assistant coach. Skoko will come in and become our Marquee player. Viduka is also out of contract, i just wonder whether he'll come back though, whereas skoko is a certainty to return

 

[demonfan9]

For once, I agree with Andy Harper. Get him back into midfield where his lack of pace isn't such an issue and his ball-playing skills can have more impact. If we can finally get Piorkowski fit, we can slot him alongside Roddy, or move Ryall into central defence.

I agree. No coincidence that we played our best football when he was in the midfield (admittedly we had the likes of Fred and Leijer in the side as well). His ageing body doesn't seem reliable enough now to play on the last line of defence. However, as a midfielder, he can still protect the back four but also put his playmaking ability to good use. It means he'll replace Broxham, which I suspect most fans will be happy with.

Thompson - Allsopp
Hernandez
Ward - Muscat - Celeski
Kemp - Vargas - ????? - ?????
Theoklitos
​

I reckon the two major gaps we have to fill are in the centre and right side of defence. Keenan was supposed to play the role of the attacking full back who can whip in crosses, but that hasn't worked out. Also, we need a big, strong centre back. Whether that's Piorkowski or not, I don't know, but it should be a priority for Merrick.

And can we please get a decent bloody back up striker!?!?!​