Well. Let me just say it would be all too easy for me to write yet another article highlighting the Jets failure on Sunday, Failure this season, or failure in with the looming transfer window closing. So I won't, instead I'm going to try and take the highlights.
Tarek Elrich - What a season this young man has had. Whether it has been at left back or the left side of midfield he has excelled. It could be noted that his defensive game has suffered slightly because of the increased attacking focus. However despite this people must remember that this is what is required from him in GVE's formation both at the back as a wing back or as an attacking mid fielder. His selection in the up coming Asian Cup Qualifier is just reward for a top season, lets just hope he isn't the next player to be poached by Asia or another A-league club.
Marko Jesic - What can I say, this kid is going to be class. His technique is the best i can see out of all the young strikers (ha ha, see Matt Simon for the biggest gap in technique), he works hard and despite being seemingly injury prone he is definitely one for the future.
Ben Kantarovski - I don't think I really need to say anything. Look at any one of his performances, and then think he's only 16, enough said! Good on you Son!
Jobe Wheelhouse - I'm sure no one who frequents Newcastlefootball.net read this, but his treatment on that forum is unacceptable. Yes he has under performed in the past, but he has been outstanding in either the back 4 or in the holding midfield role. He is solid, he is a local boy and he has a heart, something the Jets have been lacking this year. Lets hope his good form continues, and the his treatment by the 'fans' improves.
The Squadron - Apart from the above mentioned treatment of Wheelhouse the Squadron have been consistent and outstanding in their support this year. There has been plenty of controversy, but like they say, any publicity is good publicity (Ian you should appreciate this). My case in point is that on Sunday, away from home, in a dead rubber, they still managed to make themselves heard throughout the SFS and it was brilliant. Even down 4 nil they gave the boys a send off and shouldn't be under estimated!
The Physical Stadium - I'm not sure when development is supposed to be finished, but even the two corners that have been completed are top quality, with the other two being done currently. This will give the Jets a home ground they can be proud of. (I could say how poorly they continue to be treated by ground management but I said only positive!)
The Transfer Fees - If your going to lose players, you should be compensated. The Jets have at least managed this much this year and with some smart investment decisions should be able to reap the benefits!
The Future - Given the terrible year, and being a loyal fan, it is hard to think it can get much worse. I'm looking forward to at least some signings, big names or not, being announced before the end of January. With the amount of young talent coming through, a few experienced names should be all we need to get back in the game!
As an aside, with more to follow later in the week maybe, I think we're looking at a Melbourne Adelaide grand final. The Central Coast aren't good enough, Melbourne are, and the Roar can't grind out results, and Adelaide can.
So to close, for now, I'd like to say, heads up Jets fans keep supporting your team even through the tough times. Hopefully some news later in the week.
Yours in Football
B!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
What a week - A win, A spat and a Sale... maybe
Firstly, welcome back to you all (all 3 of you). I've been a bit absent of late, with work, moving and lets be honest not much positive news to write about anyway. I must say it was a great feeling being able to talk about a Jets win on Monday morning. Whilst all of the people i work with don't follow the A league, they are aware of my passion and can't resist having a dig after another Jets loss. My project manager must of felt my buoyant attitude as he commented on the victory to me first thing despite more pressing matters at work.
A bit of comment on that game first up. I think it has been highly underrated by the media as a performance. Yes ok the result was a non event given the spoon is coming this way anyway but the performance was solid across the park, and the scoreline flattered Perth. The Jets five man mid field dominated and the back four were solid without being totally unbreakable (I can't help but think Rukivysta's pace would've changed things if he was in the country). The lone striker in Mooy (spelling?) did an ok job of holding the ball up and the movement (both in attack and defence) from Patafta, Song and Thompson was spot on. Credit to Kovacic (again with the spelling?) for his first goal for the club, given our defensive stocks going out the door there could be a big future for this man. Anyone else you would question for milking the penalty (contact was outside the box initially) but Matt Thompson just seems like the most honest player you'll come across and it seemed just reward for his efforts (he looks good in the captains armband as well which shouldn't be lost on anyone). Great work Jets, if you spank Sydney on Sunday whilst i can watch i will almost forgive the season, or at least resign it to the history books.
On to upsetting matters. I have been a staunch supporter of Con since day one, i defend him in every argument on the basis that if it wasn't for him we wouldn't have a club at all. This week i'm not so sure. As a businessman he should know better than to let his emotions take control like they did. Abusing the most public of the Jets fan base was never a good idea regardless of the situation. I can understand the 'protests' of the squadron and really upside down signs and a wooden spoon don't hurt anyone (i'm more appalled the occasions that the players themselves are boo'ed off the park). So Con, you have a lot of bridge building to do.
And a word of advice, don't try and build that bridge with the $1m you might get for selling Joel! I personally don't think it will go through, but will be devastated if it does. It doesn't make good business sense, its not going to put you back in the black on the books and it is only going to further negatively effect crowd numbers and hence tickets and gate revenue. I don't know what else i can say...
Hopefully the end of the (well our) A league season next week will allow all involved to concentrate on some late signings for the ACL and a re focus on what is important to the club. They need to do something to address crowd numbers before the ACL games, its going to be embarrassing enough fielding an understrength side and some potential punishment from opposition, but if you do that in front of 6000 people at home then you have permanently and i feel irreversibly damaged the Jets brand in Asia, not to mention the damage to all the hard work Adelaide have done this year!
I love you Jets, that won't change, but lets just say i'll think twice about ever defending Con again, and if he sells Joel, i won't... ever.
A bit of comment on that game first up. I think it has been highly underrated by the media as a performance. Yes ok the result was a non event given the spoon is coming this way anyway but the performance was solid across the park, and the scoreline flattered Perth. The Jets five man mid field dominated and the back four were solid without being totally unbreakable (I can't help but think Rukivysta's pace would've changed things if he was in the country). The lone striker in Mooy (spelling?) did an ok job of holding the ball up and the movement (both in attack and defence) from Patafta, Song and Thompson was spot on. Credit to Kovacic (again with the spelling?) for his first goal for the club, given our defensive stocks going out the door there could be a big future for this man. Anyone else you would question for milking the penalty (contact was outside the box initially) but Matt Thompson just seems like the most honest player you'll come across and it seemed just reward for his efforts (he looks good in the captains armband as well which shouldn't be lost on anyone). Great work Jets, if you spank Sydney on Sunday whilst i can watch i will almost forgive the season, or at least resign it to the history books.
On to upsetting matters. I have been a staunch supporter of Con since day one, i defend him in every argument on the basis that if it wasn't for him we wouldn't have a club at all. This week i'm not so sure. As a businessman he should know better than to let his emotions take control like they did. Abusing the most public of the Jets fan base was never a good idea regardless of the situation. I can understand the 'protests' of the squadron and really upside down signs and a wooden spoon don't hurt anyone (i'm more appalled the occasions that the players themselves are boo'ed off the park). So Con, you have a lot of bridge building to do.
And a word of advice, don't try and build that bridge with the $1m you might get for selling Joel! I personally don't think it will go through, but will be devastated if it does. It doesn't make good business sense, its not going to put you back in the black on the books and it is only going to further negatively effect crowd numbers and hence tickets and gate revenue. I don't know what else i can say...
Hopefully the end of the (well our) A league season next week will allow all involved to concentrate on some late signings for the ACL and a re focus on what is important to the club. They need to do something to address crowd numbers before the ACL games, its going to be embarrassing enough fielding an understrength side and some potential punishment from opposition, but if you do that in front of 6000 people at home then you have permanently and i feel irreversibly damaged the Jets brand in Asia, not to mention the damage to all the hard work Adelaide have done this year!
I love you Jets, that won't change, but lets just say i'll think twice about ever defending Con again, and if he sells Joel, i won't... ever.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Fallen Champions and shit house pitches
Ok, so i'm not going to harp on the Jets much this week. But i will raise a few points. We were unlucky not to go into the break 2, 3 or 4 up except for some fine goal keeping by Glenn Moss, i think the Victory have bought well there. Elrich and Griffiths were exceptional, hard working, dropping deep to defend and creating chances up front. Like so much of our season we switched off when it counted in the second half. Instead of responding to a lucky goal from Bertos with renewed intent and vigour, we switched off, conceeded again, and then gave away a silly penalty by an inexperienced young Jet. Better luck next year Jets, your just not good enough at the moment, and until GVE asks me to come up for a training session, i just can't put my finger on what has gone so horribly wrong. Just an aside what the hell are Pheonix going to do without Smeltz, its a rhetorical question... or is it...
So elsewhere. The friday night game Melbourne, Roar, and what a game! Apart from a joke of a pitch it was a most enjoyable game. Fluent attacking football from both sides. End to end pace from the two midfield units, as a neutral it was definately the game of the round without a doubt! Good goals and i think Melbourne deserved to win in the end! Tiatto and Farina are both idiots for behaviour on the field and post much comments respectively!
Sydney Adelaide. What a disappointment. I was hoping to see a refreshed Adelaide outfit tear apart another fallen champion in Sydney FC. It wasn't too be, played on another poor pitch, too hard, too quick etc. Adelaide did what they have done well all season and ACL campaign which is sit back, absorb pressure and score when needed. Sydney weren't neccesarily bad, for once. They just don't have the attacking threat that they need to capitialise on their possession game, you know the one that Kossie keeps raving about as the best in the league ha ha! Good work Adelaide, your experience is so far beyond anyone else in the league!
In breaking news tonight apparently Elrich may be going to Turkey as well. Dear Con, don't sell, this is an example where no amount of money at the moment will compensate for his loss. Sit him down, tell him another year in the a league won't hurt his young career. For God's sake sign some players for the ACL. I can handle the embarresment of our current a league form, but will not accept as a fan an internationally recognised embarrasment!
Yours in football, despite the current heart break.
B!
So elsewhere. The friday night game Melbourne, Roar, and what a game! Apart from a joke of a pitch it was a most enjoyable game. Fluent attacking football from both sides. End to end pace from the two midfield units, as a neutral it was definately the game of the round without a doubt! Good goals and i think Melbourne deserved to win in the end! Tiatto and Farina are both idiots for behaviour on the field and post much comments respectively!
Sydney Adelaide. What a disappointment. I was hoping to see a refreshed Adelaide outfit tear apart another fallen champion in Sydney FC. It wasn't too be, played on another poor pitch, too hard, too quick etc. Adelaide did what they have done well all season and ACL campaign which is sit back, absorb pressure and score when needed. Sydney weren't neccesarily bad, for once. They just don't have the attacking threat that they need to capitialise on their possession game, you know the one that Kossie keeps raving about as the best in the league ha ha! Good work Adelaide, your experience is so far beyond anyone else in the league!
In breaking news tonight apparently Elrich may be going to Turkey as well. Dear Con, don't sell, this is an example where no amount of money at the moment will compensate for his loss. Sit him down, tell him another year in the a league won't hurt his young career. For God's sake sign some players for the ACL. I can handle the embarresment of our current a league form, but will not accept as a fan an internationally recognised embarrasment!
Yours in football, despite the current heart break.
B!
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