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Post by yellowcake on Aug 28, 2007 18:46:17 GMT 10
In today's Telegraph Biggest of the A-League articles - plenty of Mariners respect here from a number of sources... Who is Australia's best Strikeforce?
by David Davutonic and Tom Smithies
IT is the A-League's most valuable form of currency and it comes in goals rather than dollars. Strikers win matches, prolific ones can get you into the finals and a pair tends to win you championships.
Their team was toothless in season one, but Archie Thompson and Danny Allsopp spearheaded Melbourne Victory's campaign to the minor premiership and then the championship.
Socceroos assistant John Kosmina watched in despair as Thompson and Allsopp, with the able assistance of Brazilian Fred, tore his Adelaide United team apart with a 6-0 grand final rout.
He and others are predicting the Melbourne duo, who scored 27 goals last season, could be knocked off their perch.
"Paul Agostino, once he gets fit and starts playing regularly and if Aurelio (Vidmar) is smart and plays him up front with Bruce (Djite), I think they'll make a great combination, with Nathan Burns in behind," says Kosmina, admittedly of his former charges.
"They could get a bag of goals. They might even do better than Archie and Allsopp because Melbourne are going to miss Fred.
"Danny had a crap first season and a sensational second. Archie hadn't scored in eight games against Adelaide and then got five in a grand final. That's what he's like, he won't score every week.
"I don't think his combination with Allsopp will work so well without Fred, he set up quite a few and created space for them.
"But you need two goalscorers to be honest. If you've got one around double figures and one not far off, you've got a good chance of winning the premiership or being well inside the four.
"Consistency's the name of the game - players might get a lucky streak but you need proven goalscorers. Mrdja is that when he's fit and Petrovski certainly is."
Several other threatening partnerships are definitely looming in the A-League's Version III.
Former Australian scoring sensation Damian Mori, who still holds the Socceroos' all-time scoring record with 29 in 45 games, is perplexed by coaches who deploy a lone ranger.
"A lot of teams are playing one up front but I don't know why. You've got to play two up front to be successful," said Mori, who says he still wants to play A-League and is still scoring in South Australia's state league.
Mori likes the early signs that his old club Central Coast Mariners are showing, though he says it's too early for predictions.
Another that turned heads in Round 1 was Wellington's Shane Smeltz and Vaughan Coveny - the former's pace caused Victory's normally solid defence problems and instigated a revival never witnessed across the Tasman in the first two seasons.
Fox Sports commentator Simon Hill was impressed by them, as he was with the Gosford-based duo. Hill says that Mrdja and Petrovski have the potential to overshadow Allsopp and Thompson this season.
"On the strength of Round one, Petrovski and Mrdja are the ones to watch," Hill said. "Allsopp and Thompson have got the form, but if you're looking for an up and coming pair, Mrdja's injury problems are dissipating and Sasho has things to prove.
"I like the fact that Adelaide have got Bruce Djite and Nathan Burns, but I'm not sure if you can call them a strikeforce with Burns playing in behind. Paul Agostino's there as well. But in terms of goalscorers, you can't go past Allsopp and Thompson and Petrovski and Mrdja."
A man who until recently was trying to blunt the cutting edge of most of the A-League's finest, former Jets captain Paul Okon, said Allsopp and Thompson were the most difficult pairing to come up against last season. "With those two you've got to be switched on for the whole game - they work hard and don't stand still," Okon said.
"It's always uncomfortable as a defender when you come up against someone like that, they always pressure you and they are very good at getting on to balls played in behind the defence.
"They're quick and they've both got goals in them so their link up play together is scary for defenders."
While not exactly a front pairing, Okon says Sydney FC's Juninho and Steve Corica have "exceptional football brains" that could baffle opposition defences this season.
FC are hoping new Brazilian signing Patrick da Silva will prove a prolific acquisition.
Kosmina is part of the ever-growing group of Petrovski-Mrdja fans.
As for the other A-League teams, Kosmina warned a lack of goals would prove costly. "Look at (Queensland's) Reinaldo, he could have had several the other night. That could be Queensland's downfall this season.
"Sydney's David Zdrilic is not a poacher, not a prolific scorer. I think Juninho will do quite well, he got into good areas the other night and when he gets a bit fitter he could score a few goals." But the best was in "Fan's Eye" on the back page by Mariners fan Brett Tailor (sic), entitled "View's great at the top" - gives you the gist of it (too lasy to type it all in and it's not on the Tele's site to copy). Love your work, especially in a rag whose main distribution is Sydney. Rub it in ;D |
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Post by Andy on Aug 28, 2007 19:38:53 GMT 10
"A lot of teams are playing one up front but I don't know why. You've got to play two up front to be successful," said Mori, who says he still wants to play A-League and is still scoring in South Australia's state league. What?  |
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Post by greenpoleffc on Aug 28, 2007 22:22:02 GMT 10
"Paul Agostino, once he gets fit and starts playing regularly and if Aurelio (Vidmar) is smart and plays him up front with Bruce (Djite), I think they'll make a great combination, with Nathan Burns in behind," says Kosmina, admittedly of his former charges
What a load of bollocks - Shit eh? has scored his goal for this season and Agostino is a crock. Burns will be off to Europe pretty soon you would think so they are farked.
Rant over
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Post by pjennings on Aug 29, 2007 1:48:00 GMT 10
Well if Mori wants to play we could sign him as 23rd player after his SA commitments. Or maybe 2 x 7 week guest stints starting in round 11. That would take us through to the GF.
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Mermaid
Local league player
Posts: 126
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Post by Mermaid on Aug 29, 2007 9:25:49 GMT 10
Id love to get Mori back. His great to watch so much enthusiasm. Even when he joined Qld he was still a Mariner in my eyes.  |
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marinermick
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Post by marinermick on Aug 29, 2007 9:37:32 GMT 10
Id love to get Mori back. His great to watch so much enthusiasm. Even when he joined Qld he was still a Mariner in my eyes. he would have to sit on the bench giving how ell nik and sasho are going |
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Post by northernspirit on Aug 29, 2007 9:39:52 GMT 10
Mori would be a great 3rd option off the bench, i dont think you could play him for 90 minutes given his age and travel commitments to and from S.A.
Would be nice having a proven goal scorer on stand by if games are not going our way or heaven forbid an injury to nik or sasho
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Post by Bearinator on Aug 29, 2007 9:44:03 GMT 10
Plus I dont think he would appreciate my "rubbish barge arse" banner if he played for us again.
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marinermick
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Post by marinermick on Aug 29, 2007 9:48:30 GMT 10
Mori would be a great 3rd option off the bench, i dont think you could play him for 90 minutes given his age and travel commitments to and from S.A. Would be nice having a proven goal scorer on stand by if games are not going our way or heaven forbid an injury to nik or sasho injury replacement is very important i guess we are better off developing matty simon off the bench than taking his place by a 37 year old |
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Post by northernspirit on Aug 29, 2007 9:54:08 GMT 10
Mori would be a great 3rd option off the bench, i dont think you could play him for 90 minutes given his age and travel commitments to and from S.A. Would be nice having a proven goal scorer on stand by if games are not going our way or heaven forbid an injury to nik or sasho injury is very important i guess we are better off developing matty simon off the bench than taking his place by a 37 year old true, hopefully sasho and nik are giving him some good guidance and acting as mentors to him |
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Post by Bearinator on Aug 29, 2007 9:57:46 GMT 10
I dont thing he would be ready to step up if one of Nik or Sash got injured.
And would it not also be good guidance for him to learn from Australias all time leading goalscorer???
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Post by Pete on Aug 29, 2007 11:21:05 GMT 10
injury is very important i guess we are better off developing matty simon off the bench than taking his place by a 37 year old true, hopefully sasho and nik are giving him some good guidance and acting as mentors to him Simon: Nik, how do you shoot so well. Nik: Well Matt, it's like this: Play a lot of sports that require good eye to hand co ordination and balance - like Table Tennis. Let me show you how it's done.....(scene fades with Nik placing an arm over Matt's shoulder, turning and giving and evil wink to the camera. ;D) |
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Post by Bearinator on Aug 29, 2007 11:41:41 GMT 10
true, hopefully sasho and nik are giving him some good guidance and acting as mentors to him Simon: Nik, how do you shoot so well. Nik: Well Matt, it's like this: Play a lot of sports that require good eye to hand co ordination and balance - like Table Tennis. Let me show you how it's done.....(scene fades with Nik placing an arm over Matt's shoulder, turning and giving and evil wink to the camera. ;D) Followed by loud sound... DUM DUM DUUUUUUUUMMMM |
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Post by bakery5 on Aug 29, 2007 11:48:27 GMT 10
I dont thing he would be ready to step up if one of Nik or Sash got injured. And would it not also be good guidance for him to learn from Australias all time leading goalscorer??? Mentor requries good interpersonal skills, not just good techncial skills |
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Post by Bearinator on Aug 29, 2007 12:08:16 GMT 10
I dont thing he would be ready to step up if one of Nik or Sash got injured. And would it not also be good guidance for him to learn from Australias all time leading goalscorer??? Mentor requries good interpersonal skills, not just good techncial skills Please explain how you know that Mori has not got good interpersonal skills? |
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Post by bakery5 on Aug 29, 2007 12:29:56 GMT 10
Mentor requries good interpersonal skills, not just good techncial skills Please explain how you know that Mori has not got good interpersonal skills? He seems to play for himself. He might have good interpersonal skills, then again he may not. Shane Warne is an great mentor, as he always keen to have an chat and give advise to younger players. When Mori played for the Roar, he was always having a go at someone. |
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Post by Bearinator on Aug 29, 2007 12:59:59 GMT 10
Please explain how you know that Mori has not got good interpersonal skills? He seems to play for himself. He might have good interpersonal skills, then again he may not. Shane Warne is an great mentor, as he always keen to have an chat and give advise to younger players. When Mori played for the Roar, he was always having a go at someone. Why bring a retired drug cheat from another sport into a conversation about Damien Mori??? Most strikers only play for themselfs. When I play, I have a go at people, when Jimmy plays, so dose he. Fish to. Dose that mean we have no interpersonal skills? How you going to base someones interpersonal skills on if they yell at people on a football field? Admit it, you have no bloody idea what your talking about on this matter. |
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marinermick
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Post by marinermick on Aug 29, 2007 13:07:39 GMT 10
He seems to play for himself. He might have good interpersonal skills, then again he may not. Shane Warne is an great mentor, as he always keen to have an chat and give advise to younger players. When Mori played for the Roar, he was always having a go at someone. When I play, I have a go at people, when Jimmy plays, so dose he. Fish to. Dose that mean we have no interpersonal skills? bad examples |
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Post by serious14 on Aug 29, 2007 13:36:53 GMT 10
Dose that mean we have no interpersonal skills? So many things I could say but won't......  |
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Post by Bearinator on Aug 29, 2007 13:44:54 GMT 10
Dose that mean we have no interpersonal skills? So many things I could say but won't...... Iv got something to say...umm... YALL CAN KISS MY BIG FAT KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN EATIN ASS |
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