A NEW HOPE FOR THE GREEN AND GOLD.

                                                                                                                                     

A lot can change in a year (or 18 months). After leaving his post as Brisbane Roar coach in April 2012, Ange Postecoglou kicked off last season's A-League season (2012-13) as coach of the Melbourne Victory FC on the back of stinging criticism from a contingent of Roar supporters. After guiding the Brisbane club to back to back premierships, the Roar fans felt betrayed as Ange jumped ship almost immediately after the 2012 Grand Final win. This lead to a backlash from some supporters who felt Ange had left for the money and that his heart was not in the club. Some (fans) went so far as to say that the Roar's success was down to Roar's Assistant Manager Dario Vidosic and not Postecoglou. After the Melbourne Victory received a 5-0 drubbing at the hands of the Roar this time last year, it seemed Ange's successful coaching record had begun to sour. Who would've thought then that 12 months later, Postecoglou would be our new Socceroos coach.

It's quite a remarkable rise for Postecoglou, as his rise to coaching prominence has been many years in the making. Many fans would agree that Ange's coaching career has been years of small and steady steps, which has gotten him to where he is today. This time 4 years ago, Ange Postecoglou would have been the furtherest name linked to the Socceroos coaching job. In October 2009, Postecoglou emerged from obscurity when he returned to Australia to coach the Brisbane Roar. Having spent 9 months in Greece coaching 3rd Division side Panachaiki, Ange took over the Brisbane side from outgoing coach Frank Farina. It wasn't the first time Postecoglou and Farina had crossed paths as coaches. When Farina was coach of the Socceroos, It was Postecoglou who was coach of the Australian Under 20's side, and the two worked closely over the coming years. Although Postecoglou's time as Under 20's coach was shaky, it was this solid 7 year stint (coupled with his many years as South Melbourne coach) which eventually secured the Brisbane Roar coaching job for him.

2 and a half years after his appointment as Brisbane coach and it was the Roar and Postecoglou who were reaping the rewards and spoils of the A-League. With back to back premierships under the club's belt and a historic 36 game undefeated streak, Postecoglou had well and truly stamped his name on Australian Sporting History. As the Socceroos battle with poor results and disunity, I couldn't think of anyone more qualified and ready for this position than Ange. Having been there at the International stage with the Under 20's and winning back to back premierships on home soil, this appointment as Socceroos coach is the only positive thing to come out of such an uncertain year for Australian Football. It'll be a tough road ahead in the lead up to Brazil 2014, but if anyone can do it, It might as well be Ange Postecoglou.


Written by Alex Stilianos.

OH CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN.

                                                                                              


What do Lucas Neill and the IBM 5110 Computer both have in common? They're 35 years old, Obsolete and have limited capacity. The Current Socceroos team is in a state of Disarray after suffering back to back 6 nil losses at the hands of Brazil and France. Whilst Australia has taken baby steps since then by firing Socceroos coach Holger Osieck and gaining a 3 nil Victory over Canada in a Friendly match, it's merely a temporary solution. It seems odd to me that Osieck was fired 4 months after getting them to Brazil 2014, as I can't recall any other National team coach being sacked after getting there Country to a World Cup. The problem lies in the Socceroos team and its lack of depth. Having grown up as a 90's kid, I witnessed one of the strongest eras of the Socceroos when the starting 11 team comprised of players like Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka, John Aloisi, Stan Lazaridis, Paul Okon, Robbie Slater, Alex Tobin, Ned Zelic, Craig Moore, Tony Popovic and Mark Bosnich. To compare that Socceroos team from the 1990's to the current Socceroos team, would be like comparing Barcelona FC to Macclefield Town F.C.

This article is not a beat up of how bad the Socceroos are, it's just the way the Cookie crumbles. Once Australian Football fans accept the fact that it's not the Coach who's at fault, it's in fact lack of depth, then we'll all be much better off. The Scotland National Team experienced it's Golden Age of Football in the 70's, 80's and 90's when the Country qualified for 6 out of the 7 World Cups between 1974 and 1998. During that time the Scots produced quality players like Denis Law, Kenny Dalglish, Graeme Souness, Gordon Strachan, Ally McCoist and the list goes on. Since 1998 however, Scotland have failed to qualify for a Major International Tournament (Euros and World Cups). This is not down to poor coaching and disunity, it's down to the fact that there's simply not enough talent in the National team at the moment. When talking about Scotland's abysmal 1986 World Cup campaign, Former Scottish Footballer Gordon Strachan famously said "People want answers as to why things didn't work out, but at the end of the day we were just Crap."

Although there's nothing much that can be done to revamp this current Socceroos side, one thing is blindingly obvious, LUCAS NEILL MUST GO. Neill is a deadweight in the side who passed his use by date years ago and is a detriment to team morale. His recent attack on the younger players of the squad (which saw Neill questioning how bad these youngsters really want to play for the Green and Gold), it's clear Neill is not the captain or player the Socceroos need anymore. And it's not the first time Neill's had a less than memorable moment with the Socceroos. Rewind the clock to Germany 2006 for the Italy v Australia match and it was his sliding tackle which cost Australia a penalty and, inevitably, the game. People can say what they like about the incident, dive or no dive Neill should never have made that tackle. He committed the cardinal sin of defending by  making that tackle and, in doing so, cost Australia a place in the Quarter Finals. Had he been playing under a coach like Bill Shankly, Alf Ramsey or Alex Ferguson, he would have had a Crockett & Jones Imprint on his arse for the rest of his life.

After Australia's abysmal month of football, you'd think Neill would have had a big dose of humble pie; Unfortunately this was not the case. He proved yet again why he shouldn't be Socceroos captain after lashing out at Former Socceroo Mark Bosnich following comments Bosnich made calling for Neill's retirement as captain. For a player who had the turning capacity of  the HMS Queen Mary, Neill should heed the call of Bosnich (and the Australian public) and retire. His ship sailed long ago and it's now time for a new era of Australian footballers to take the helm of this once proud Socceroos team.


Written by Alex Stilianos.

Melbourne Derby 3,2,1 Man Of The Match Awards

The most eagerly anticipated match of the opening 2013/14 A - League season fizzled out into a boring stalemate. The Melbourne Derby is notoriously a drama packed match but tonight the script writers decided for write the opposite. In a game where both sides gave debut's to new signings its funny that two out of our 3,2,1 man of the match awards go to two players wearing their colours for the first time.

3. Paddy Kisnorbo

By far the best player on the pitch, if he stays fit he could just be the help the Heart need to get back into the top 6 come finals time. Made his physical presence known on a number of occasions and was largely responsible for keeping Archie Thompson quiet. Showed his experience in making the professional foul on the latter who was well on the way to scoring a goal on the counter attack.

2. Jason Hoffman

Often "Hoff" gets harsh reviews for his performances in a match, especially over the past few season but tonight he was very impressive. Keeping the energetic Connor Pain quiet is a tough job, one which plenty of specialty right backs have struggled with last season but makeshift right back Jason Hoffman did his job tonight. It looks to be a career saving call from John Aloisi because we dare say this year is make or break for the Hoffinator.

1. Mitch Nichols

Rounding out our awards for the Melbourne Derby 3,2,1's is former Queenslander Mitch Nichols. Linked up well with Archie Thompson and this threesome will be complete once Kosta Barbarouses returns from national duty with New Zealand. Well done Mitch it seems you have settled in to you're new home.

THE LJUB MOBILE HAS TAKEN OFF.

Last week's news that former Socceroo Ljubo Milicevic had left Perth Glory before the start of the season was surprising to say the least. On the eve of the 2013/14 A-League season, Milicevic seemed destined to don the Purple and White Colours for Perth this season. That was until last Thursday (October 3), when Perth Glory announced that the club and Milicevic had parted ways. While it may seem quite peculiar to join a club then leave without ever playing, this sort of thing is not uncommon and has happened quite a few times in Football. Today, Inside the Box FC will look at the Top 5 Dud Signings who were never given any game time.

5) Steve Horvat





















The name Steve Horvat wouldn't immediately ring any bells for the vast majority of Football fans out there. In an era of Great Australian players like Mark Viduka, Harry Kewell, Paul Okon, Robbie Slater and Mark Bosnich, it's easy to see why Horvat's name was forgotten over time. Having been a mainstay in the Socceroos side between 1994-2002, Horvat played for various clubs like Melbourne Knights (1994-95) Hadjuk Split (1995-96) and Carlton FC (1996-98) before making the big leap to England after signing with Crystal Palace FC. After a year of sitting on the bench, Horvat left Palace in 1999 to return to Australia where he would ultimately finish his career. During his time at Palace, he failed to register a single appearance for the club. One must wonder what on Earth enticed the London club to sign Horvat, as they clearly had no plans to play him in the Starting 11 side.


4) Ljubo Milicevic





















Ljubo Miliecevic (like many other successful Australian Footballers) came through the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) as a Teenager. He got his start in Professional Football after signing for Perth Glory FC in 1999. A year later he featured (and scored) in the Thrilling 2000 Grand Final match between Perth Glory and the Wollongong Wolves. After leaving Glory in 2001, Milicevic made the move to Switzerland, where he would stay for 6 years, playing for clubs like FC Zurich, FC Thun and BSC Young Boys. After returning to Australia in 2007, Milicevic played for various clubs like Melbourne Victory FC, Newcastle Jets and South Melbourne FC. After spending 2 years as a Free agent, Milicevic signed with his old club Perth Glory FC on August 19, 2013. Less than 2 months later it was announced that both Milicevic and Glory had parted ways.


3) Besart Berisha






















Besart Berisha spent the early years of his career in countries like Germany, Denmark and Norway, usually in the First or Second Division. Whilst playing for German side Hamburger SV in December 2006, Berisha created history by becoming the first Albanian Footballer to score in a European Champions League match. Just 5 months after this personal milestone and it was Berisha again who was making a name for himself. After turning in an impressive performance for Albania against the England B team, scouts were on the lookout and it wasn't long before Berisha was snapped by Burnley FC (who at the time were competing in the Championship). After suffering a serious knee injury during an International match against Malta, Berisha was sidelined for a year. Worse was to follow as, after spending 2 years on the sidelines, he was eventually sold off to German club Arminia Bielefeld without registering a single competitive match for Burnley.



2) David Unsworth





















Englishman David Unsworth spent a large part of his career playing at Centre Back for Everton FC throughout the 1990's and 2000's. Following a succesful season with West Ham United in 1997-98, Unsworth was approached by Birmingham club Aston Villa FC with a 3 Million Pound offer during the 1998 off season. Although he initially accepted the offer, the deal lasted barely a month as Unsworth was back at Everton FC just 4 weeks later. The Urban Legend surrounding Unsworth's failed Villa signing was down to Unsworth's wife, who told her husband if he stayed at Villa, he can expect to find his Dinner in the Bin every night. Whether or not this is true, It's surely one of the quickest and most obscure releases from a Transfer Deal in the History of Football.



1) Jason Culina





















As a Second Generation Footballer, Jason Culina was given all the breaks to become a Professional Footballer. His father Branko (who played Professional Football in Australia during the 1970's) coached young Jason at Sydney United then later on at Sydney Olympic. After enjoying a considerable amount of success as a Footballer in Holland for 9 years, Culina returned home in 2009 to play for newly created A-League glamour club Gold Coast United. Following a successful 2 year stint as United captain, Culina was lured by (wouldn't you know it) father Branko to join Newcastle Jets FC. Jason was purchased by the club on February 22, 2011 and while it seemed a Father/Son reunion was on the cards, this was laid to waste after it was revealed (several months later) that Branko had prior knowledge of Jason's long term knee injury, even before signing him. The Culinas were dealt with a double blow as Jason's contract was terminated before the start of the 2011/12 A-League season and Branko was stood down from his position as Head coach.


Written by Alex Stilianos.