Top XI players for each club by minutes played in 2011

Top goalscorers for these clubs in 2011

During that period, former Brisbane Strikers, Eastern Suburbs and Brisbane Roar player Matt McKay hasn’t been able to feature consistently for the ‘Gers. McKay’s transfer to Rangers occurred at the end of August, signing after playing for the Socceroos in London, recommended to McCoist by Craig Moore.

McKay notched significant air miles between Glasgow and Brisbane after returning to Brisbane to gather his belongings and then two weeks later McKay returned to Brisbane for the Socceroos World Cup qualifier against Thailand. This travel impacted McKay’s transition to the Scottish giants and he was limited to a single cameo appearance off the bench against Dundee United.

McKay looked useful in that game and certainly did not appear out of his depth. He was utilised out wide on the left, a similar position to that he occupies for the Socceroos and excelled in during the 2011 Asian Cup. It is a different role to the central dynamo position that helped him propel Brisbane Roar to the A-League title.

McKay’s first start came at the start of November, again against Dundee United, where Matt was used as a second forward. Playing off Nikica Jelavic, McKay assisted in a goal in a 3-1 win by delivering a fantastic ball for his Croatian partner. Chances have been limited since, with McKay only notching 144 minutes in the Rangers blue shirt. There appears to be several reasons as to why McKay hasn’t flourished despite reasonable performances when he has had a chance. Rangers don’t appear to know where best to utilise him. Whilst his best position is central midfield this is a position of strength for McCoist. Another factor is a Clydesdale Bank Premier League rule which means each team must have three players under the age of 21. As such, places on the bench are limited with several places taken by players required to fulfil this criteria.

Whilst Rangers have lost their league lead, the much published recent demise of the Brisbane Roar is dominating A-League headlines. McKay left towards the end of pre-season and his spot in the team has been taken by Massimo Murdocca, a foundation player that has become a fringe player during the Roar’s championship run. Murdocca has qualities, he keeps the ball moving and provides fluidity, however he does not have the same creativity that is found on McKay’s left boot.

The A-League season started with Mitch Nicholls and Thomas Broich in good form, and between them, helped by Berisha’s finishing, the Roar never missed a beat. The Roar’s form dipped when Nicholls left for Olyroos and Socceroos duties. Broich and Henrique were looked at to provide the opportunities which they did reasonably well; as they were when Nicholls returned out of form. Unfortunately with the Brazilian and the German out injured, the creativity has been missing and that has meant the Roar are toothless in attack, which has partially caused the Roar’s barron run. Obviously the focus is on the missing Broich, however part of the Roar’s struggles has been an overreliance on Nicholls and Broich in the absence of McKay.

The combination of Rangers and the Roar’s recent form makes it more frustrating that McKay warms the bench. The next two weeks may be his best opportunity thanks to the suspensions to Rangers players Lee McCulloch and Dorin Goian. His coach, McCoist, may also feel the pressure to tinker with the line-up given the ineffective performance against Celtic.

Can watch at http://www.vipbox.tv/watch/18070/1/ado-den-haag-vs-fc-utrecht-live-stream-online.html
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I have decided to support Wellington, whilst i have nothing against United and i realise it may be unaustralian to cheer for the kiwis, I’m rather enjoying this bottle of Sav Blanc from Marlborough a stones-throw from Wellington’s normal home.

Discussion is starting to focus on how the A-League has improved. Certainly ‘the experts’ worldwide are taking note with Tommy Smyth (with a y) ESPN’s former Celtic legend stating that he believes the Roar are the 25th best team in the world.

They’re good but not that good. Its actually the two former roar player playing in this game that make me think the league has improved. Dario Vidosic has returned to these shores after having a couple of good seasons abroad. He hasnt dominated since he has returned, which many would have expected him to. His ball for Djite’s goal on the stroke of half time shows his immense quality.

Another returnee Spase Dilevski seems to have lost what he had at the Roar. In Miron’s system where the Roar created and created but couldnt score Spase was one of the Roar’s most exciting players and whilst critcically his final ball was lacking he had an excitement factor that now appears lacking in his game. Maybe in the 4 years he has lost his pace but he hasnt shown me too much in his Adelaide games to date.  These are signs that the A-League has moved on somewhat since these guys left.

Second half on its way, and the wine is still going well

Adam Sarota started on the bench whilst Tommy Oar and Michael Zullo started. Oar was substituted in the 72nd minuted, whilst Zullo played the whole game and was booked in the 32nd minute.

http://www.soccerway.com/matches/2011/10/15/netherlands/eredivisie/psv-nv/stichting-fc-utrecht/1120388/

This was a matchup of striker Stevica Ristic of Suwon going up against defender Sasa Ognenovski, an Australian of Macedonian origins, from Seongman. Suwon created several quality chances but their finishing let them down and they ultimately suffered a minimal 1:0 loss with Seongnam scoring the lone goal in the 77th minute. Suwon also finished the game with ten men after one of their players received a red card in the 90th minute.

Ristic ended up playing all 90 minutes for Suwon in an attacking minded 4-3-3 formation. The domestic cup final in South Korea was played in front of about 15,000 people. Suwon won the domestic cup title last season but they will be runners up this year after losing today’s cup final 1:0.