In terms of the OCL Vader, I think it would be really interesting to see a team like Canterbury or Wellington take part, just to see how the rest of the ASB Prem compares to the island teams.
Auckland City FC - Thanks a Trillion
I think you would see the player migration to some of those clubs. Cole Peverley does well to play for the same club 2 years on the trot based on what he gets offered.
In terms of the OCL Vader, I think it would be really interesting to see a team like Canterbury or Wellington take part, just to see how the rest of the ASB Prem compares to the island teams. Yes, ACFC and WU are a cut above nearly all other teams in the OCL, but they are also a cut above all the other ASB Prem teams.
I think Canterbury could give a good account of themselves in the O League and maybe Hawkes Bay. I think the others would really struggle with perhaps TW having the best possibility of stepping up. The better island teams, particularly in front of their own passionate supporters, are no chumps. Then throw in the heat and humidity (which needs a possession game from tne NZ team). Remember teams like Solomon Islands and Vanuatu draw big crowds and have tricky quite skillful players in the Totori mold. The Fijians and Tahitians can play as well.
Another issue is if one of the lower ASBP teams qualified they'd get a rude awakening as to the cost of competing in the O League. Fifa, I understand, only provides costs for a minimum squad in the away games and I've been told it costs ACFC about $30,000 in extras to compete properly.
jeebers patrick, i could sit here all day watching that avatar of yours (sigmund smashing kruse)
You could argue that if he can't make ACFC hum, could he do it elsewhere? I think that will be the knock on him in applying for the Phoenix job.
N-Bomb, a neutral and it would be fair to say a reasonably considered poster, said that all O'Leary's cards were well warranted so ACFC went with an attitude of 'smash em' and it did not work. You can't argue with that really.
I think if anything, I'm glad we do not get these lop sided finals.
The problem with the O League is simply that its a no brainer that the NZ teams are better. There might 1 or 2 that push hard but they really do rely on the heat in the islands to be the leveler. Its using the conditions to your advantage thats for sure.
I wasn't there so I've asked an impartial Englishman who went and he thought the ref was too quick to book City players. He also felt there was a reasonable shout for a penalty when Dicko apparently was bundled over in the box. I only raise this because games between these two teams are usually robust affairs and have seldom had such a one-sided card issue. City are not an overly aggressive side and WU are hardly wall flowers so why the lopsided card count? The red card certainly affected the game and with so many City players on yellows it must have influenced their tackling decisions.
I know I run the risk of arousing accusations of " City whinging" but it appears O'Leary was extra brittle towards City. Anyway that's football.
I think Canterbury could give a good account of themselves in the O League and maybe Hawkes Bay. I think the others would really struggle with perhaps TW having the best possibility of stepping up.
I think Canterbury could give a good account of themselves in the O League and maybe Hawkes Bay. I think the others would really struggle with perhaps TW having the best possibility of stepping up.
I'm going on the current squads and resources. Past TW teams were certainly better than HBU.
Anyway Canterbury is the only non-Auckland ASBP side who've come close to winning the finals - only beaten on penalties.
As to whether another ASBP team other than ACFC or WU could win the O League, I don't think so. Ivan Vicelich told me it's a harder competition than the ASBP because of the different playing styles, all the travel and difficult conditions.
I think Canterbury could give a good account of themselves in the O League and maybe Hawkes Bay. I think the others would really struggle with perhaps TW having the best possibility of stepping up.
I'm going on the current squads and resources. Past TW teams were certainly better than HBU.
Anyway Canterbury is the only non-Auckland ASBP side who've come close to winning the finals - only beaten on penalties.
As to whether another ASBP team other than ACFC or WU could win the O League, I don't think so. Ivan Vicelich told me it's a harder competition than the ASBP because of the different playing styles, all the travel and difficult conditions.
I think Canterbury could give a good account of themselves in the O League and maybe Hawkes Bay. I think the others would really struggle with perhaps TW having the best possibility of stepping up.
I'm going on the current squads and resources. Past TW teams were certainly better than HBU.
Anyway Canterbury is the only non-Auckland ASBP side who've come close to winning the finals - only beaten on penalties.
As to whether another ASBP team other than ACFC or WU could win the O League, I don't think so. Ivan Vicelich told me it's a harder competition than the ASBP because of the different playing styles, all the travel and difficult conditions.
i agree that on paper the TW that finished the season are stronger than HBU, but HBU were missing key players for a lot of their season too.
You could argue that if he can't make ACFC hum, could he do it elsewhere? I think that will be the knock on him in applying for the Phoenix job.
N-Bomb, a neutral and it would be fair to say a reasonably considered poster, said that all O'Leary's cards were well warranted so ACFC went with an attitude of 'smash em' and it did not work. You can't argue with that really.
I think if anything, I'm glad we do not get these lop sided finals.
The problem with the O League is simply that its a no brainer that the NZ teams are better. There might 1 or 2 that push hard but they really do rely on the heat in the islands to be the leveler. Its using the conditions to your advantage thats for sure.
I wasn't there so I've asked an impartial Englishman who went and he thought the ref was too quick to book City players. He also felt there was a reasonable shout for a penalty when Dicko apparently was bundled over in the box. I only raise this because games between these two teams are usually robust affairs and have seldom had such a one-sided card issue. City are not an overly aggressive side and WU are hardly wall flowers so why the lopsided card count? The red card certainly affected the game and with so many City players on yellows it must have influenced their tackling decisions.
I know I run the risk of arousing accusations of " City whinging" but it appears O'Leary was extra brittle towards City. Anyway that's football.
you weren't there?!
You could argue that if he can't make ACFC hum, could he do it elsewhere? I think that will be the knock on him in applying for the Phoenix job.
N-Bomb, a neutral and it would be fair to say a reasonably considered poster, said that all O'Leary's cards were well warranted so ACFC went with an attitude of 'smash em' and it did not work. You can't argue with that really.
I think if anything, I'm glad we do not get these lop sided finals.
The problem with the O League is simply that its a no brainer that the NZ teams are better. There might 1 or 2 that push hard but they really do rely on the heat in the islands to be the leveler. Its using the conditions to your advantage thats for sure.
I wasn't there so I've asked an impartial Englishman who went and he thought the ref was too quick to book City players. He also felt there was a reasonable shout for a penalty when Dicko apparently was bundled over in the box. I only raise this because games between these two teams are usually robust affairs and have seldom had such a one-sided card issue. City are not an overly aggressive side and WU are hardly wall flowers so why the lopsided card count? The red card certainly affected the game and with so many City players on yellows it must have influenced their tackling decisions.
I know I run the risk of arousing accusations of " City whinging" but it appears O'Leary was extra brittle towards City. Anyway that's football.
you weren't there?!
Not a big fan of blaming the ref - seems to be way too common these days. The ref is part of the game and you win some you lose some.
You could argue that if he can't make ACFC hum, could he do it elsewhere? I think that will be the knock on him in applying for the Phoenix job.
N-Bomb, a neutral and it would be fair to say a reasonably considered poster, said that all O'Leary's cards were well warranted so ACFC went with an attitude of 'smash em' and it did not work. You can't argue with that really.
I think if anything, I'm glad we do not get these lop sided finals.
The problem with the O League is simply that its a no brainer that the NZ teams are better. There might 1 or 2 that push hard but they really do rely on the heat in the islands to be the leveler. Its using the conditions to your advantage thats for sure.
I wasn't there so I've asked an impartial Englishman who went and he thought the ref was too quick to book City players. He also felt there was a reasonable shout for a penalty when Dicko apparently was bundled over in the box. I only raise this because games between these two teams are usually robust affairs and have seldom had such a one-sided card issue. City are not an overly aggressive side and WU are hardly wall flowers so why the lopsided card count? The red card certainly affected the game and with so many City players on yellows it must have influenced their tackling decisions.
I know I run the risk of arousing accusations of " City whinging" but it appears O'Leary was extra brittle towards City. Anyway that's football.
you weren't there?!
Not a big fan of blaming the ref - seems to be way too common these days. The ref is part of the game and you win some you lose some.
With the wisdom of one day, I had a great day despite some of the circumstances being less than perfect. None of that could dampen the spirits of the fantastic ACFC fans that I was in the company of. Top day.
You could argue that if he can't make ACFC hum, could he do it elsewhere? I think that will be the knock on him in applying for the Phoenix job.
N-Bomb, a neutral and it would be fair to say a reasonably considered poster, said that all O'Leary's cards were well warranted so ACFC went with an attitude of 'smash em' and it did not work. You can't argue with that really.
I think if anything, I'm glad we do not get these lop sided finals.
The problem with the O League is simply that its a no brainer that the NZ teams are better. There might 1 or 2 that push hard but they really do rely on the heat in the islands to be the leveler. Its using the conditions to your advantage thats for sure.
I wasn't there so I've asked an impartial Englishman who went and he thought the ref was too quick to book City players. He also felt there was a reasonable shout for a penalty when Dicko apparently was bundled over in the box. I only raise this because games between these two teams are usually robust affairs and have seldom had such a one-sided card issue. City are not an overly aggressive side and WU are hardly wall flowers so why the lopsided card count? The red card certainly affected the game and with so many City players on yellows it must have influenced their tackling decisions.
I know I run the risk of arousing accusations of " City whinging" but it appears O'Leary was extra brittle towards City. Anyway that's football.
you weren't there?!
Not a big fan of blaming the ref - seems to be way too common these days. The ref is part of the game and you win some you lose some.
With the wisdom of one day, I had a great day despite some of the circumstances being less than perfect. None of that could dampen the spirits of the fantastic ACFC fans that I was in the company of. Top day.
How is N-Bomb not a neutral? He supports Waikato I believe.
You could argue that if he can't make ACFC hum, could he do it elsewhere? I think that will be the knock on him in applying for the Phoenix job.
N-Bomb, a neutral and it would be fair to say a reasonably considered poster, said that all O'Leary's cards were well warranted so ACFC went with an attitude of 'smash em' and it did not work. You can't argue with that really.
I think if anything, I'm glad we do not get these lop sided finals.
The problem with the O League is simply that its a no brainer that the NZ teams are better. There might 1 or 2 that push hard but they really do rely on the heat in the islands to be the leveler. Its using the conditions to your advantage thats for sure.
I wasn't there so I've asked an impartial Englishman who went and he thought the ref was too quick to book City players. He also felt there was a reasonable shout for a penalty when Dicko apparently was bundled over in the box. I only raise this because games between these two teams are usually robust affairs and have seldom had such a one-sided card issue. City are not an overly aggressive side and WU are hardly wall flowers so why the lopsided card count? The red card certainly affected the game and with so many City players on yellows it must have influenced their tackling decisions.
I know I run the risk of arousing accusations of " City whinging" but it appears O'Leary was extra brittle towards City. Anyway that's football.
you weren't there?!
No, sorry, I'm in California for work reasons, have been here for a month. I always attend every game I can when I'm in NZ and I enjoy the company of the passionate fans at ACFC and love going to Kiwitea Street. I've been an active supporter of ACFC from day one and a regular at Central United for 20 years. I'm having to rely on the opinions of others who were there for this game. By all accounts ACFC created as many scoring opportunities as WU even when down to 10 men which is pretty impressive.
In case you're wondering I'm Auckland born and bred and consider Kiwitea Street and ACFC as my spiritual (football) home. So yes, I'm biased but I'm also a big supporter overall of the ASBP so I'd love to see a vibrant TW back challenging for the top spot. The competition needs it, like it needs CU and Hawkes Bay to step up too.
I think this will possibly the end of Ramon at ACFC.
I think this will possibly the end of Ramon at ACFC.
Greenacre would be about as welcome at ACFC as a punch in the love spuds on 99.9% of the male population.
And to anyone that wants to dispute that, Colin Tuua and Roger Wilkinson. ACFC do not like outsiders.
. ACFC do not like outsiders.
Unless they're from Barcelona!
Ramon came in as an assistant under Aaron. If Colin and Roger had done the same coming in as an assistant, I doubt they would have been treated as outsiders.
Greenacre would be about as welcome at ACFC as a punch in the love spuds on 99.9% of the male population.
And to anyone that wants to dispute that, Colin Tuua and Roger Wilkinson. ACFC do not like outsiders.
both having gone on to greater things...., talent will out , eh ??
Greenacre would be about as welcome at ACFC as a punch in the love spuds on 99.9% of the male population.
And to anyone that wants to dispute that, Colin Tuua and Roger Wilkinson. ACFC do not like outsiders.
both having gone on to greater things...., talent will out , eh ??
"Grant Robertson joins Auckland City FC this season as the club's Goalkeeper Coach after fulfilling a similar role at Waitakere Utd during the 2004/4, 2006/7, 2007/8 seasons. He is looking forward to the new challenge" ... etc. From this season's ACFC website: Players and non-playing staff.
Greenacre would be about as welcome at ACFC as a punch in the love spuds on 99.9% of the male population.
And to anyone that wants to dispute that, Colin Tuua and Roger Wilkinson. ACFC do not like outsiders.
Tuua and Wilkinson didn't stay at ACFC because they were failures and had to go. Paul Posa was very successful and is loved at the club. Ramon has invested a lot developing the playing style but he hankers for something bigger (and professional). I personally think Ramon could be a useful Nix academy coach and assistant coach at the first team as he has a good strategic brain.
=Spud]
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I agree Ali - too many posters on this forum hide their true identities - what are they ashamed of?
Greenacre would be about as welcome at ACFC as a punch in the love spuds on 99.9% of the male population.
And to anyone that wants to dispute that, Colin Tuua and Roger Wilkinson. ACFC do not like outsiders.
Tuua and Wilkinson didn't stay at ACFC because they were failures and had to go. Paul Posa was very successful and is loved at the club. Ramon has invested a lot developing the playing style but he hankers for something bigger (and professional). I personally think Ramon could be a useful Nix academy coach and assistant coach at the first team as he has a good strategic brain.
Can somebody tell me why Spoonley is good enough to play for the All Whites but can only make the bench for ACFC. Should Williams played instead????
[quote=OtagoRooster]
Can somebody tell me why Spoonley is good enough to play for the All Whites but can only make the bench for ACFC. Should Williams played instead????
[/quoteAs they say - revenge is sweet. By all accounts ACFC gave Waitakere a bit of a hiding and the scoreline could well have been bigger than 3-1. Pity such a high profile O League encounter wasn't at a ground befitting a Fifa tournament.
Seems ACFC have unearthed a quality center back in Mario Bilen (ex Croatian under 20) which should bode well for the Club World Cup in December against the Moroccan champs.
I'd like to see this ACFC side play the Phoenix in a friendly, preferably as a build-up for the CWC. With the gun-shy Ricki gone maybe the new Nix coach may chance his arm. Bragging rights would be interesting.
ACFC v Phoenix won't happen. Just as it didn't under RH despite Ivan's cash inducements. Too much for the Nix to lose in terms of reputation (as you know TB). They'd never live down a ACFC 3 Central Coast 1 type loss.
How are CCM coping after that loss? I was at that game and like some football games, the scoreline was not an indicator of the football played. I don't think Graham Arnold and Phil Moss sit in their offices all day going 'Oh shit if only we have beaten ACFC....' They would have moved on the next day.
I don't think this has anything to do with reputation either. Considering that ACFC will be together into August sometime with O League (is that right?) and the Phoenix will be in preseason mode, you have absolutely nothing to lose by proposing that game again. I ask you though, how you would fair, if you lost 3-1? I would suggest the club would keep on going and it would be some supporter egos that would be dented more than anything else (much like if the result was the other way around)
I wouldn't care. It'd just be annoying coming on here and seeing you guys go on like you're the greatest side in the world. Though that happens anyway, so yeah I wouldn't care at all actually.
To be fair, they only ever say they were the 5th best club side in the world!
I'm disappointed in their lack of ambition. Clearly they should be challenging and running Barcelona off the park, not us.
How are CCM coping after that loss? I was at that game and like some football games, the scoreline was not an indicator of the football played. I don't think Graham Arnold and Phil Moss sit in their offices all day going 'Oh shit if only we have beaten ACFC....' They would have moved on the next day.
I don't think this has anything to do with reputation either. Considering that ACFC will be together into August sometime with O League (is that right?) and the Phoenix will be in preseason mode, you have absolutely nothing to lose by proposing that game again. I ask you though, how you would fair, if you lost 3-1? I would suggest the club would keep on going and it would be some supporter egos that would be dented more than anything else (much like if the result was the other way around)
ACFC wanted to play the Nix not from egotistical reasons but because the board wanted a decent challenge before flying off to the World Club Championship. Central Coast Mariners were brought over instead because of RH's refusal to come to the party. Interestingly, RH did oblige Milicech a few years earlier, when he wanted a Nix team to come north to play Waitakerie before their trip to Japan. I was at that game too (as well as ACFC v CCM) and was as thrilled by the Nix reserves demolition of Waitak 7 - 0 as I was by City's unexpected victory over CCM, not by the scoreline but by the quality of Nix reserves' football. But as I pointed out in an earlier post, Nix reserves then were a far different proposition than now (McKain, Caceres, Kosta, Sigmund, etc. were in that team, not the likes of Downey, Biss, Watson, etc.).
Some highlights.
Ah. No. They piggy-backed on the end of a pre-season game against the Phoenix in Tauranga. They did not bring them over.
Also in that team was Jeermy Christie.
Ta for that. BTW what was the result of Nix V CCM in Tauranga, just out of interest?
I'm disappointed in their lack of ambition. Clearly they should be challenging and running Barcelona off the park, not us.
Like everything , start with the easiest ...work your way up....