A League 2011/12 Fox Sports Fantasy

[BlueStorm]

Forgot to mention - Victory have signed Mark Milligan on a short term loan deal, which lasts until the end of the regular season (March 25th). Ex-Socceroo and Sydney player, currently based in Japan. A handy defender who distributes the ball well. They are hoping to have the paperwork cleared in time for him to play Sydney on Thursday.

Could be a handy pick-up, as most other Victory options look pretty poor heading into a double game week. GC are the other with the double, but I really find it hard to recommend anyone from either team to cash in. Think the priority needs to be weeding out Olyroos as a long term plan - suspect many loading up on doubles this week will face problems down the track.

Mind you, based on history, would be pleasantly surprised if the slack-arses @ Fox Fantasy include him in the options, especially considering there is only approx 18 hours between game weeks this round.

[BlueStorm]

Van Dijk, I want your babies  ;D

[Shaggy]

Not denying your effort last year, and as a Victory man, would love vibrant and healthy competition between the two clubs.
Perth & NQF finished as a rabble last year, Brisbane and CCM clearly better than the rest, but there weren't many decent teams that finished below you last year.

Still a fine effort in a debut season, but think they will struggle to make finals again this season. Nothing personal 8-6, just call it as I see it.

Just had to quote this post. Only team having a season of pain is the Melbourne 'FFA concession given' Victory.





And yes, I am formerly 8-6 Suited, BlueStorm.

[MajorLazer]

GO THE HEART!!!!!!!!!!

[Luigi197]

HO HEART!!!!!! <3

[CrowsFan]

Haha BS getting rid of Carle certainly seems to have been the wrong move. Pretty sure since I have kicked him out he has scored or got an assist in every game he has played!!

[McRooster]

The culling at the Victory hath begun - time to trim the fat, 'Fat Cat Hernandez' http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/xzx-tennis/reds-want-to-steal-carlos-from-victory/story-e6frecvc-1226254779377  :)

Welcome Fatso  :-*

*maybe

[McRooster]

When the fire truck was Berisha pulled from the squad?

Another loss for the Brisbane Purr (a purr is a soft representation of a roar)  :P

Reds cannot afford another loss or draw, passion is there, execution is not. Kossie is predictable, but will that change with Hernandez?

Total attack will be the key, mix in a dose of Cassio and you never know.....

[BlueStorm]

OK, let's go through them one by one;
McRooster - Did you have your head in the sand?  ;) Berisha copped a one week ban for his post-match shennanigans v Sydney - he played v Heart under a pending appeal, but that was never lodged so he served it last week. Back this week.

I still like Roar for the title, if they ever get their best team together on the park. They were brutal when Nichols, Broich, Berisha & Henrique were running riot early season, but fairly certain that combo have not been on the park for months now.

The Reds are an interesting case. Most people don't realise they are without 3 centre-backs. In skinny squads of 21, for most clubs, that is their entire list for that position. Add Cassio, a month without the irrepressible Van Dijk, and all the other injuries, they have held up reasonably well I think. There is no other team in the league (and prob never has been) that had a 15yo and 16yo on the bench, and for two weeks in a row. No wonder the Reds made history 2 weeks ago by becoming the first A League team to play a game without subbing even once  ;)

Doesn't help that like Victory, most of the Reds worst efforts have been at home.

Two stories I have heard about Fat Cat; one is that he will be transferred to the Reds, Victory free up an import spot and a whack of cash. The other is he will go on loan for your ACL campaign, with the possible addition of Harry. Both are keen to keep playing before mid-year WC qualifiers, and both believe constant play will be essential for them to make their national teams. Be very interesting either way...

CrowsFan - Every night before I go to bed, I tell myself I have let CF down, badly, and must find a way to make it better  :'( And with Amini announced as a late replacement for Antonis in the Olyroos squad, that kills the other inclusion. To be fair, I dumped Carle that week and introduced Amini, so at least we are sharing the pain  ;) Again though, how can official team lists declare someone has a two week injury, then suit him up a day later. A farce, Essendon & Sheeds have a lot to answer for!

If you have the coin, I'd suggest jumping on Broich in the next week or so. No Nichols to share the playmaking role, expect him to return to his early season stellar form. If you take this advice and recruit him, I will feel my guilt absolved. If you take this advice and he spends the next month stinking it up, I am closing my FF account and running to the hills  :-[

Major & Luigi - Ha! That really did feel good watching Phoenix stomp yo arse! ;)

Shaggy 8-6 - Welcome back my friend. Nothing like some pre-season predictions to come back and bite at one's arse!  I am pleased to see that we HAVE achieved a vibrant and healthy comp between the two Melbourne clubs. I have truly given up trying to predict A League results this season (if only my wallet did too!). In saying that, if Victory beat GC in Tasmania on Wed, a win in the Derby would have them level on points. I know, ifs and buts...

Young teams tend to tire as the season goes on - combined with the loss of 3 Olyroos for 3 rounds and no sign of Fred's return, we may see them struggle over the next month. I am delighted to see them playing well though - easily the best team to watch during December. And if they make the finals at the expense of Adelaide or Sydney, nothing would make me happier  ;D


General Chat;
Anyone with Beekmans (GC) should cash him immediately. He has been granted a compassionate release, already back home in Holland with a seriously ill family member.

Still no word on when the GC-CCM rescheduled match will be played. With CCM facing absent Olyroos, and upcoming ACL matches soon, the last thing they need is an extra match, and away too. Blieberg may be many things, but he is also a good bloke at times - he recognises the problems facing CCM, and is letting them pick a date (subject to approval from FFA and FoxSports).

Missing all those CCM stars in our teams this week really put a dent in some scores. Extra pain for those who transferred in GC players on the premise of 2 games. Suspect we will have some fairly homoginised teams over the next month with the absence of Olyroos, but should set up nicely for a cracking March run to the line once they are back!  ;D

[Luigi197]

I got Golec, Dugandzic and Nichols on my bench for the next month.. trade?

[CrowsFan]

CrowsFan - Every night before I go to bed, I tell myself I have let CF down, badly, and must find a way to make it better  :'( And with Amini announced as a late replacement for Antonis in the Olyroos squad, that kills the other inclusion. To be fair, I dumped Carle that week and introduced Amini, so at least we are sharing the pain  ;) Again though, how can official team lists declare someone has a two week injury, then suit him up a day later. A farce, Essendon & Sheeds have a lot to answer for!

Haha mate it's all good, I hadn't touched my squad for a while anyway so by you suggesting trades it at least made me do something. Even though they turned out to be bad that's not your fault. Tell you what, I'll give you some bad advice on your SC team to make it even ;)

[BlueStorm]

Don't reckon you can afford to hold them all Luigi. You need to have some playing subs to cover unexpected absences. There are some awfully bare benches in teams this week, only made worse by the cancelled CCM-GC game. At least the GC players will still get one game, but you have to have at least one player with a chance of points on your bench.

Not sure what your finances are. If you can afford Golec to maybe Adnan (Bris 143k) or Risdon (Perth 98k), that would be my 1st choice only because he may struggle for a spot in the starting line-up once he returns.

I sold Dugandzic last week. Decided to get in early before his price plummets, and may well buy him back for much cheaper in a month. I had Broich at the start of the season, switched him to Nichols after the German's absence, and will likely switch them back this week.

Even after trading last week, I still hold Foschini, Golcec, Nichols & Amini  :(

And a word of warning to McGlinchey owners - he will prob be called into the All Whites squad for their WC match on Feb 29th (same night as Socceroos v Saudia Arabia). He may well miss the CCM game the preceding week - don't know that for sure, but would not be surprised.

[BlueStorm]

CF - Hilarious, though I doubt you could do more damage to my SC team than I do  ;) Happy to get your opinion, but will be a few weeks before the brain can really start cranking into SC mode...

[My Chumps]

If Carlos leaves, I honestly think that would stamp out any title hopes we have left  :(

[Luigi197]

Maybe a double trade with Dugandzic and Golec is on the cards? Infact, even a triple trade given some finance issues...

Carle looks in form, while Halloran is the only remaining cheapie i think in the mids. While the defenders these days are getting really random. I want to make sure the trades count as i am in the running to get the car!

How about something like...

Nichols, Dugandzic and Golec

to

Carle, Halloran and Reese.

?