A League

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: A League

Have to say I am a fan of football (soccer) but have never really chosen sides.

I always liked Manchester City (for example), but my uncle (who lived in England) was born and bred Chelsea. Always used to send me over stuff, but I've struggled to get into them. I don't watch it all the time so I can't call myself a supporter, but I try to watch as many Man City games as possible.

A-League wise, I never liked Victory. I went to a few games a few years ago and didn't enjoy it. It's funny -- I think the 'big club mentality' put me off them from the start. I do like Archie, though.

I've followed MH a lot more this year. I love the way they play, their stadium, their colours and the way they present themselves. Watching Fred play is a delight.

If I found someone else to go with, I'd become a member of Melbourne Heart. They're just a really likeable/appealing club. I agree with Rocco in that I felt like we were 'forced' to side with Victory -- I guess that's another factor in my dislike for them.

[Remi Moses]

Re: A League

Help me out ?
How were people "forced" into following Victory?
FFa were never going to initially stick two teams in Melb.
So what would happen if the Western Bulldogs became a big club?
A few on here have stated they don 't like the "big club " mentality.

[Remi Moses]

Re: A League

Melbourne Victory sack coach Mehmet Durakovic

MELBOURNE Victory sacked coach Mehmet Durakovic today and appointed Kevin Muscat caretaker coach for tomorrow's match against Newcastle.

A new permanent head coach is expected to be named within the next 48 hours and it will not be Muscat .

In announcing Durakovic's sacking at a press conference today, Victory chairman Anthony Di Pietro said: "After 14 games the club is in a position which is not acceptable and change is required.

"With 13 games left, we still think the club can have success this season.

"Kevin Muscat will be caretaker for (tomorrow's match) against Newcastle and he took training this morning.

"The appointment of a new head coach is imminent and an announcement will be made in the next 24 or 48 hours."

He said Muscat was not a candidate.

Article in full...

About time! Awful mistake. We've gone from being the most stable A league club to a disharmonous rabble. Sky news reporting Jim Mcguilton as manager

[The Coon Dog]

Re: A League

About time! Awful mistake. We've gone from being the most stable A league club to a disharmonous rabble. Sky news reporting Jim Mcguilton as manager

Spot on Remi:

Jim Magilton revealed as Melbourne Victory's new coach

MELBOURNE Victory will appoint Northern Irishman Jim Magilton as its new boss today.

The former Ipswich Town manager touched down in Melbourne this morning and is due to finalise his contract before tonight's 7.45pm kick off against Newcastle Jets at AAMI Park.

Assuming there are no glitches with the contract at the last minute, Victory will hold a press conference this afternoon and Magilton will be unveiled to the club’s fans at tonight's game.

Magilton, 42, had a modest managerial record during his three years with English Championship outfit Ipswich (2006-09).

He then spent six months with Queen’s Park Rangers in 2009, a club that was notorious for sacking coaches at the time.

The former Southampton and Ipswich Town midfielder's last job was as assistant coach of Irish club Shamrock Rovers last season, where he worked under new Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill.

Link

[chef]

Re: A League

Help me out ?
How were people "forced" into following Victory?
FFa were never going to initially stick two teams in Melb.
So what would happen if the Western Bulldogs became a big club?
A few on here have stated they don 't like the "big club " mentality.

Forced is probably the wrong word, people now have a choice.

[LostDoggy]

Re: A League

Help me out ?
How were people "forced" into following Victory?

By being the only Melbourne team in the first 5 years of the a-league. If you like football and live in Melbourne , it's pretty difficult to watch other teams given you may not like victory coach, players, or style, etc.

[westdog54]

Re: A League

Help me out ?
How were people "forced" into following Victory?
FFa were never going to initially stick two teams in Melb.
So what would happen if the Western Bulldogs became a big club?
A few on here have stated they don 't like the "big club " mentality.

Forced is probably the wrong word but the argument is valid.

Until Heart were formed, to follow Football in Melbourne meant following the Victory.

As for the 'big club' argument, you judge it on a case by case basis but it would come down to how the club values its fans.

[Remi Moses]

Re: A Leaguead

Personally I'd love to see the Dogs become a big Club . The Big Clubs treat their fans the same as the others. It's funny people bag Melb Victory's style, but just remember this was a side that had Fred in it. Euro snobbery,Craig Foster style. If it was Ernie Van Merrick they'd have sung his praises more highly

[LostDoggy]

Re: A League

Btw Fred played for 1 season out of 7 mv seasons. Style isn't all about good midfield players anyway.
Style to me includes the Kevin Muscat hard game. Formations, such as playing 2 defence midfielders and a lack of width. The midfield is non existent at the moment so the possession/passing game style isn't there. I don't mind a counter attack style, but they lack pace or a rock solid defence to use it.
They have been helped having the best player over the a-league history.

[westdog54]

Re: A Leaguead

Personally I'd love to see the Dogs become a big Club . The Big Clubs treat their fans the same as the others. It's funny people bag Melb Victory's style, but just remember this was a side that had Fred in it. Euro snobbery,Craig Foster style. If it was Ernie Van Merrick they'd have sung his praises more highly

When they had Fred in the side they won a grand final 6-0 and Fred was in the setup for most of them.

I don't think they've been quite the same without them and they've been very poor this year.

I was a big fan of Merrick and I think it was unfortunate to see him go.

[Rocco Jones]

Re: A Leaguead

Personally I'd love to see the Dogs become a big Club . The Big Clubs treat their fans the same as the others. It's funny people bag Melb Victory's style, but just remember this was a side that had Fred in it. Euro snobbery,Craig Foster style. If it was Ernie Van Merrick they'd have sung his praises more highly

Twice you've used individuals as a base to defend Victory's style. Fred/Carlos = just 1 player. Victory have never been into using width and moving the ball quickly on the ground. I am not saying Merrick's style was wrong, it was very effective and he is underrated, just that it isn't/wasn't attractive to me at least.

It's great Victory has so many fans btw. Unlike most Victory fans who seemingly want us to die, I want both clubs to thrive. The real enemy isn't each other, it's those who want to keep the game down in our country.

I do really sense a feeling of Victory being complacent/stubborn. Just expecting all their original fans to stick by just because. The cast majority of fans I know didn't join Victory because they love the club, it's because they love the game. IMO Victory treat their fans with contempt and it's showing. I have heard their fans complaining about lack of communication, such as not even updating Facebook page after games. Instead of consistently blaming disenchanted fans for what they perceive as hollow reasoning perhaps Victory should have a look at themselves.

[Rocco Jones]

Re: A League

Btw not sure why you used Fred and Carlos but not Archie. Archie the player who has contributed most excitement wise to the whole league. I rate Carlos overall but prefer running at defenders, pace etc over shots outside pen box.

[Remi Moses]

Re: A League

Very good performance tonight and thoroughly deserved 3 Pts. Allsopp played his best game in a Victory shirt for quite a while, lot more spirit tonight and a good performance from Harry.

[Remi Moses]

Re: A League

Btw not sure why you used Fred and Carlos but not Archie. Archie the player who has contributed most excitement wise to the whole league. I rate Carlos overall but prefer running at defenders, pace etc over shots outside pen box.

Agree Archie has been clearly the best player since inception.

[Topdog]

Re: A Leaguead

IMO Victory treat their fans with contempt and it's showing. I have heard their fans complaining about lack of communication, such as not even updating Facebook page after games. Instead of consistently blaming disenchanted fans for what they perceive as hollow reasoning perhaps Victory should have a look at themselves.

This year for sure. The loss of Lord and a few others has made this club very amateur. Nevermind a lack of facebook updates after a game you should try and find out who is injured and how long for. With Mehmet's chop and change style (different starting 11 and formation for the first 8 weeks) it was impossible to know what the heck was going on. Suddenly Sorozano (sp?) and Kemp were no where to be seen. 2 weeks later they'd bob up on the bench and then disappear again the next week. 3 weeks later you'd hear they were injured. Complete and utter BS. The insistence on going back to Etihad this year left a very sour taste too and was unnecessary.