Against The Crossbar

Clive Needs To Go

April 10, 2010
By againstthecrossbar
Clive Needs To Go

Its disappointing to hear that yet another A-League club, Gold Coast United, are struggling financially after it was revealed that billionaire owner Clive Palmer has notified the FFA of his intention to withdraw his support of the club.

Must say the timing is very suspect with the FFA just concluding a rescue...
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Congratulations Sydney

February 17, 2010
By againstthecrossbar
Congratulations Sydney

Although this year has seen crowd levels drop off from their stellar highs of the previous years I must say I cannot remember a more exciting race for the Premier Plate in the A-leagues short history.

Congratulations must be extended to Sydney for taking out what became a three horse race late in...
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Where Did It Go So Horribly Wrong

October 28, 2009
By againstthecrossbar
Where Did It Go So Horribly Wrong

I was genuinely excited when the FFA announced that one of the new clubs to join the A-league this year was to be Gold Coast United. Here was a team to be based in the fastest growing area of Australia, was backed by one of Australia’s richest men and would have one of the...
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A New Start

October 26, 2009
By againstthecrossbar
A New Start

One of the points in Frank Lowry’s speech I failed to touch on in my last blog was the idea of moving the start time of the A-League Season to the first week in October.

After a honeymoon that was the first three seasons it has become blindingly obvious in the last two...
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The Future According To Frank

October 22, 2009
By againstthecrossbar
The Future According To Frank

I have a huge amount of respect for Frank Lowry. Five years ago Frank was the driving force behind the rebirth of football in this country. The creation of the A-league, the move to Asia and the recruitment of Guus Hiddink all contributed to a resurgence of the game here in Australia....
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A Lot Can Happen In A Month

October 15, 2009
By againstthecrossbar
A Lot Can Happen In A Month

Its been just over a month since I last put fingers to keyboard and tapped out a paragraph or two for this blog and a lot has happened in that time. Crowds continue to be a major talking point and I was very pleased to see Gold Coast and Brisbane take steps to reduce...
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Goodbye Danny Allsopp

September 9, 2009
By againstthecrossbar
Goodbye Danny Allsopp

With confirmation that Danny Allsopp has left for Qatar club Al-Rayyan Sports, Melbourne Victory has lost not only one of its two primary scoring targets but a long time servant of the club.

Of course the writing has been on the wall (or in this case within the forums) for a week...
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Ticket Shocker

September 2, 2009
By againstthecrossbar
Ticket Shocker

Last year Brisbane Roar played Central Coast Mariners in a Round 3 match that attracted 12,185 people along. This year their round 4 fixture against Central Coast could only manage 6,433. The low crowds in Brisbane have been focus of media attention over the last two weeks and much conjecture about the...
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Th Free To Air Question

August 27, 2009
By againstthecrossbar
Th Free To Air Question

Interesting article on The Roar today regarding the viability of having the A-League on Free To Air (FTA) TV. It has generated a substantial amount of discussion amongst the readers and got me thinking about where I stand on the topic.

Although author Adrian Musolino makes some good points I...
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It’s Gold For Danning

August 21, 2009
By againstthecrossbar
It’s Gold For Danning

Great news overnight with FIFA confirming that Kofi Danning will be granted exemption from their recent rule change that tightens international eligibility for Under 18 players.

The rule in question states “for any player who refers to art. 15 par. 1 of the Regulations to assume a new nationality and who has...
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Wanted, One Central Defender

August 18, 2009
By againstthecrossbar
Wanted, One Central Defender

What a game on Saturday night! Probably the most exciting A-league match I have attended in terms of goals and attacking play. Of course both managers will need to ask some serious questions of their defences that allowed so much freedom and space to the opposition midfields.

Gary Cole will be madly...
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Superman Wears Tim Cahill PJs

August 13, 2009
By againstthecrossbar
Superman Wears Tim Cahill PJs

How nice to sit through a Socceroos match with a smile the entire 90 minutes. Pim Verbeek couldn’t have asked for a more emphatic performance this morning and should satisfy even the most ardent of his knockers.

Right from the opening whistle Australia dominated this match and even though Ireland were unlucky...
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Australia vs The Leprechauns

August 11, 2009
By againstthecrossbar
Australia vs The Leprechauns

Although it is only a friendly and the result itself will mean little, I am genuinely excited by the upcoming match against the Irish on Thursday morning (even if I am not looking forward to getting up at 4:30am to catch it live). Pim Verbeek has picked, whether by design or need, an...
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It All Starts Now!

August 7, 2009
By againstthecrossbar
It All Starts Now!

The wait is over, the first match played and a surprise result already. Season previews and bookie odds are in tatters after a team most tipped to finish in the bottom three up staged last years premiers (and bookies favourite) to take the points in the opening match.

To be honest Victory...
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2009/10 A-League Season Preview _ Part 3

August 4, 2009
By againstthecrossbar
2009/10 A-League Season Preview _ Part 3

In this third and last part to my preview of the upcoming season. Below is an examination of the teams that I believe will fill the top 3 places.

3rd – Brisbane Roar
There is a lot to like about Frank Farina’s team, it is beautifully balanced with a strong defence, a midfield...
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2009/10 A-League Season Preview _ Part 2

August 3, 2009
By againstthecrossbar
2009/10 A-League Season Preview _ Part 2

In this second part to my season preview I examine the teams that will fill positions 4th – 6th.

6th – Adelaide United
It is sometimes amazing how a team’s unofficial nickname can evolve from just a few misplaced comments. The pissants have had a low profile build up this preseason.

-------------------Galekovic-------------------Read more »

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2009/10 A-League Season Preview _ Part 1

July 31, 2009
By againstthecrossbar
2009/10 A-League Season Preview _ Part 1

Ok, here is my season preview for what it is worth.

In this first part of three, I take a look at what I tip will be the bottom four teams.

10th – Central Coast Mariners
It seems every year pundits across Australia write Central Coast off and most years they keep...
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Half Time Heros Fanzine

July 30, 2009
By againstthecrossbar
Half Time Heros Fanzine

Eamon Flanagan (The Nearpost blog) and Con Stamocostas (A Football Story blog) are pulling together a monthly fanzine called “Half Time Heros”.

Some of Australia’s most committed Football writers have joined, including Tony Tannous (The Round Ball Analyst & The Roar), Mike Salter (The Football Tragic), Fiona Crawford...
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Rising Stars Of The A-League

July 28, 2009
By againstthecrossbar
Rising Stars Of The A-League

Its great to see the National Australia Bank getting involved in supporting the identification of the next generation of Socceroos. The fact that the FFA now have attracted corporate sponsorship for its A-League Youth award is yet another indication of the growth of the game within this country.

Of course the...
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Bubbledome Coming Along Nicely

July 25, 2009
By againstthecrossbar
Bubbledome Coming Along Nicely

Ask any Victory supporter what they are most looking forward to when Victory kick off their ACL campaign next March and the answer you are most likely to receive is, “sitting in the new home of football in victory, the Bubbledome”.

Construction of the new stadium has been ongoing now for several months...
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