Preview: AUFC v Newcastle 17.2.17

[blahblah]

As I was spared the emotional scarring of last week due to the vagaries of internet connections in developing nations, I feel emboldened to commence discussions.

Isa is back. If his presence doesn't confirm him as our key player then his absence most surely does.

This week should be the first time in several weeks that we play in cooler weather; another boon for the lads who have had a torrid time of it and also for our newly arrived players.

The Jets are on bit of a roll at the moment so we are going to need some midfield cover. The kids are looking good going forward however one of them needs to take another step towards being the box to box we need. McGree is getting there however like all youth is a work in progress (though pleasing progress it must be said).

Hopefully Kim is ready to have a crack and provide us the ability to defend higher up the pitch. Any news as to how he is progressing at training?

[sevengoals]

The best thing from the weekend was receiving this handmade AU emblem from my 11 year old niece for my birthday.




Needless to say it brought a tear to my eye and it helped to lift my spirits after Friday's tribulations.

What ever happens there is a future.

COME ON UNITED!!!

[Stuckey]

The best thing from the weekend was receiving this handmade AU emblem from my 11 year old niece for my birthday.




Needless to say it brought a tear to my eye and it helped to lift my spirits after Friday's tribulations.

What ever happens there is a future.

COME ON UNITED!!!

How wonderful!

[mcjules]

That's awesome!

[Reds]

Am I correct in assuming big boogs is suspended for this match? Every bit helps.

[Ghost]

Will Kim, Baba or Babalj be in the team?

[Stuckey]

Will Kim, Baba or Babalj be in the team?

I'm going to be very concerned if they aren't, IMO I seriously hope this game is written off already and the side uses this as preparation for the Gamba game.
The Perth game was the definitive death of AU's 16/17 HAL season.

[Ghost]

La Rocca is definitely not playing, out for six weeks with a hip issue.

[Stuckey]

La Rocca is definitely not playing, out for six weeks with a hip issue.

Last Friday has to be the worst game anyone has played for AU. Although I do think he was very unlucky.
Scored a shocker of an own goal,
Runs around like a headless chook for 15 mins turning the ball over several times trying to make a up for his costly error,
Then goes off at 30 mins with a fairly serious injury.

Poor bloke.

[The Claw]

Agree on that being the worst individual performance I can recall In a long time. TBH, has La Rocca played a decent game all season? I can't recall anything better than average and I'd suggest he will be gone at season's end.

[Stuckey]

Agree on that being the worst individual performance I can recall In a long time. TBH, has La Rocca played a decent game all season? I can't recall anything better than average and I'd suggest he will be gone at season's end.

What has he done that was so terrible though?
I don't recall beside the Perth game him make many massive errors. Defensively I think AU hasn't been that bad. They are just under constant pressure from their midfield being the way they are.

[The Claw]

He just does not seem to be providing any leadership, his passing has been ordinary all season and the fact that most agree Regan should be starting ahead of him indicates a lot (as I don't believe Regan is that great) either. Plus he has been very injury prone this season.
I just expect a lot better from someone who is an ACL/ A-League winner plus taking up an import spot until very recently. If Celo is copping a pasting for his performances, La Rocca should also.

[Stuckey]

He just does not seem to be providing any leadership, his passing has been ordinary all season and the fact that most agree Regan should be starting ahead of him indicates a lot (as I don't believe Regan is that great) either. Plus he has been very injury prone this season.
I just expect a lot better from someone who is an ACL/ A-League winner plus taking up an import spot until very recently. If Celo is copping a pasting for his performances, La Rocca should also.

I don't think most agree Regan should be starting ahead of him. Regan was just as much a liability against Perth as La Rocca was. The goal just after HT was almost entirely his fault.
Injury prone? He's played 17 out of 20 games this season. His first injury for the season was a broken cheek. I'm not sure how that is anyone's fault.
I think your comment of his passing being poor all season is too general to actually highlight anything.
He had a nightmare game last week. Last season he was named as the best defender in the HAL by Bruno Fornaroli. He had great deal to do with why AU did what they did last season. I think you're placing too much emphasis on last weeks performance. A defender is doing the best job they can when no one notices their performance. I'm not saying he's been a star but I think saying he's been poor all season isn't accurate.

[Stuckey]

There could be a chance that McGowan is out this week. I don't want to get into why on here.
Feel free to google why if you would like to find out yourself.

[Reds4Life]

Hey folks, long time lurker first time poster !!

I'll start off by saying surely we've hit rock bottom now ?? All it needed was for Amor to say in broken English 'This is a pissant town'.

Secondly, not to have a crack at a respected poster but IMO La Rocca has been dead set ordinary this year, as has most of the defence. Too often they all throw in a careless pass from the back that gets turned over as we get scored against. For mine he is the major culprit.

As for McGowan, he's been dealing with this issue for some time now so I'd be surprised if he missed despite recent developments.

On to the game it self, I hope we see all 3 newbies in some capacity this week although highly unlikely. The 2 imports in particular shouldn't be asked to go into the Gamba game stone cold. I think we can win Friday if we use it as a tune up for the ACL. Sit deep and play on the break.

Apologies for the ranting first post guys !!!