OT: Association Football

[84 Baby]

Popovic supposedly signed for Socceroos the second he didn’t get Croat job.
I don’t know… I think in the interim we needed one of those career international coaches just to break up the holding pattern we’ve been in

 

[Suitman]

Popovic supposedly signed for Socceroos the second he didn’t get Croat job.
I don’t know… I think in the interim we needed one of those career international coaches just to break up the holding pattern we’ve been in

Agreed.
This is just a sideways move from the FFA.

 

[84 Baby]

Agreed.
This is just a sideways move from the FFA.

That’s the best description. Basically the only hope is Poppa has also seen the problems and is severely angered by them as I am. But other than that I can’t see significant changes happening.
I made the comparison to Eels the other day, generally speaking it’s an alright team (probably missing an attacking spark and finisher - Boyle and Goodwin are probably on other side of career now) but they are just playing awful soccer. They mostly look like they’re playing not to lose, instead of trying to win.

 

[Suitman]

That’s the best description. Basically the only hope is Poppa has also seen the problems and is severely angered by them as I am. But other than that I can’t see significant changes happening.
I made the comparison to Eels the other day, generally speaking it’s an alright team (probably missing an attacking spark and finisher - Boyle and Goodwin are probably on other side of career now) but they are just playing awful soccer. They mostly look like they’re playing not to lose, instead of trying to win.

Completely agree.

The problem with Popa is that his style of play and coaching is really no different from Arnie's.
Play out from the back, tikka-takka amongst defenders, back to the keeper and then hoof it when pressed. Turn over the ball and then under pressure again.
This is a very poor appointment by the FFA. Current finances may have contributed to this decision because honestly, I have no idea where the FFA are making any money these days.
As I said, an appointment that is sideways at best but maybe even backwards. It's what the FFA excel at.

I believe Tony Gustafson is available. At least he had the girls playing some reasonable attacking football.

 

[84 Baby]

Completely agree.

The problem with Popa is that his style of play and coaching is really no different from Arnie's.
Play out from the back, tikka-takka amongst defenders, back to the keeper and then hoof it when pressed. Turn over the ball and then under pressure again.
This is a very poor appointment by the FFA. Current finances may have contributed to this decision because honestly, I have no idea where the FFA are making any money these days.
As I said, an appointment that is sideways at best but maybe even backwards. It's what the FFA excel at.

I believe Tony Gustafson is available. At least he had the girls playing some reasonable attacking football.

I wouldn’t describe it as tiki taka. Its too slow and doesn’t involve anyone ahead of the backline.
I thought about Gustafson too. Womens soccer is bit different though.
Reportedly Queiroz was considered. That seems more ideal to me.

 

[Suitman]

I wouldn’t describe it as tiki taka. Its too slow and doesn’t involve anyone ahead of the backline.
I thought about Gustafson too. Womens soccer is bit different though.
Reportedly Queiroz was considered. That seems more ideal to me.

Maybe I should have said "attempted tikka-takka". Our play has been appalling.
Yes, Arnie had to go.
But Popa I think is a terrible appointment. Same old same old will be coming from him.
What is it about the Football administration in this country that continually holds us back?

 

[Chipmunk]

My daughter has tickets for Fulham's game there vs Wolves in November.
It was one of the few games that she and her boyfriend were able to get tickets to without paying an absolute bomb. By that, I mean without paying hundreds of pounds for a ticket.
She follows Newcastle United like me, and her boyfriend is a Man U fan.
They just wanted to go to a PL game while they are there, so Fulham it is.

I actually watched an FA Cup game between Fulham and Wolves about 10 years ago at Craven Cottage. The stadium was pretty primitive to be fair.

 

[84 Baby]

Maybe I should have said "attempted tikka-takka". Our play has been appalling.
Yes, Arnie had to go.
But Popa I think is a terrible appointment. Same old same old will be coming from him.
What is it about the Football administration in this country that continually holds us back?

Sports admin is very specialised and the extra perks also draw people who don’t have the skills. It also attracts people who don’t have pure intentions for the sport looking to manipulate administrators.
Even then soccer in Australia has been insanely mishandled. I can see Eels or even NRL turning things around with a few people being swapped for others but soccer, the problems are too endemic, I don’t think it’ll ever be well run.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

I actually watched an FA Cup game between Fulham and Wolves about 10 years ago at Craven Cottage. The stadium was pretty primitive to be fair.

I’ve never been but on telly Stamford Bridge looks like something out of the eighties.

 

[Chipmunk]

I’ve never been but on telly Stamford Bridge looks like something out of the eighties

I had a seat on the half way line at Craven Cottage. I'd say the seat was 50 years old, made of wood...maybe even pre-WWII

There's no way any one classified as obese would get through the entry gates. They wouldn't have been 2 foot wide max.

 

[King-Gutho94]

I had a seat on the half way line at Craven Cottage. I'd say the seat was 50 years old, made of wood...maybe even pre-WWII

There's no way any one classified as obese would get through the entry gates. They wouldn't have been 2 foot wide max.

Yes those wooden seats are heritage listed. So they can't be removed.

When i did the tour they took us there to sit and the guide showed us they do dump some of the print press there haha.

As charming as that part is I probably couldn't sit there for 100 mins though

And yes the entry gates are f**king tiny.

I agree anyone 2 foot wide wouldn't fit in the entry gates.

 

[Chipmunk]

Yes those wooden seats are heritage listed. So they can't be removed.

When i did the tour they took us there to sit and the guide showed us they do dump some of the print press there haha.

As charming as that part is I probably couldn't sit there for 100 mins though

And yes the entry gates are f**king tiny.

I agree anyone 2 foot wide wouldn't fit in the entry gates.

Did they tell you how old the seats were on the tour?

They were pretty hard on the arse by the end of the game.

 

[King-Gutho94]

Did they tell you how old the seats were on the tour?

They were pretty hard on the arse by the end of the game.

I cant recall he mentioned the exact date but basically from near the beginning of the stadium being constructed.

Wikipedia has 1905

 

[Suitman]

Did they tell you how old the seats were on the tour?

They were pretty hard on the arse by the end of the game.

I've sat in the same type of seats at Upton Park (The Bowlyn Ground) for a West Ham - Forest PL match.
Loved it!! Reminded me of the old Cumberland Oval grandstand!

 

[Suitman]

I cant recall he mentioned the exact date but basically from near the beginning of the stadium being constructed.

Wikipedia has 1905

I'm not sure how any heritage listing vs OH+S holds up these days, particularly after Bradford.

 

[Suitman]

I actually watched an FA Cup game between Fulham and Wolves about 10 years ago at Craven Cottage. The stadium was pretty primitive to be fair.

That's actually a good thing tbh.
Gives the next generation an insight as to how things used to be.
I hope they have bought tix for the wooden seats, though I doubt it.

 

[Eelementary]

Sports admin is very specialised and the extra perks also draw people who don’t have the skills. It also attracts people who don’t have pure intentions for the sport looking to manipulate administrators.
Even then soccer in Australia has been insanely mishandled. I can see Eels or even NRL turning things around with a few people being swapped for others but soccer, the problems are too endemic, I don’t think it’ll ever be well run.

I agree.

From a grassroots level, all the way to the top, football in Australia is being mismanaged.

A few years ago, my cousin attended Macquarie University for a try out for Sydney FC.

He predominantly played in the centre mid, as an attacker, and his play style was moulded around Ronaldinho - as in, he had a lot of dribbling techniques, and great touch.

His instinct was to beat his man, create space, and set up his teammates.

He didn't get past the first round, because - and I quote - he was a "selfish player".

How many times do you see Socceroos singers mindless hoof it into the penalty box, with nobody there to challenge for the ball?

I feel like we don't seem to appreciate the individual skill, and artistry, of football, because it's all about the team.

Do you think the Bulls got the shits with Jordan scoring 50 points every game?

Or the Brazilian national men's side, with Ronaldo Nazario, for hogging the ball?

Football in Australia needs an attitude adjustment, imo.

 

[TheParraboy]

Can we still make the world cup in 2026?

Out of 10 what are our chances ?? 10/10 being we are in

 

[Suitman]

Can we still make the world cup in 2026?

Out of 10 what are our chances ?? 10/10 being we are in

We'll need to massively improve from our current form. Arnie left us in an absolute mess and I'm not convinced Popa is the person to turn it around.
We actually do have some talent. It is the guidance and coaching that is lacking atm.

 

[Chipmunk]

I cant recall he mentioned the exact date but basically from near the beginning of the stadium being constructed.

Wikipedia has 1905

Wow, over 100 years old...