Multi Multi Multi

Attention Punters, plenty of football on again tomorrow morning with some money to be made particularly in the Serie A. Also some good odds with cup competitions in Germany, Spain and England but our cup multi is only for the brave punters as cup ties are hard to pick.

Here are our multis for tomorrow morning:

Serie A

Inter
Napoli
Roma
Juventus

Paying: $8.84

Cup Clash

Chelsea
Hannover
Alth Madrid
Fortuna Dusseldorf

Paying: $10.65

Happy Punting.

Mark Walton Interview

Mark Walton's name might not mean anything to football fans in Australia but Mark had a great career spanning 16 years playing against the likes of Eric Cantona, QPR manager Mark Hughes and also played with Sydney FC coach Ian Crook. We spoke to the former Norwich, Fulham and Wales goalkeeper to reflect on his career and give his view on todays modern game and the A-League. 

1.Do you miss playing football professionally?. (insideFC)

Not the actual physical playing. When your skills are dropping through age it is time to hang the boots & gloves up! I really miss the sense of humour in and around the game which is very sarcastic and black in nature. I also miss the pressure of performing and the feeling of satisfaction of being part of success. (MW)

2. You've been at some great clubs what was the best club?. (insideFC)

Norwich City was a great time in my life, professionally and personally, no superstars but some very talented players who were happy with each other’s company on & off the pitch. Fulham F.C was also an enjoyable club, living in London and being part of a club that rose from the 3^rd division to the premier league was fantastic. The team spirit at Fulham in the first couple of years was tremendous. (MW)

3. Do you think Goalkeepers are undervalued?. (insideFC)

Yes- but it is the nature of the job! Goalscorers are manager’s and coaches’ favourites as they are perceived to win games – but having a good keeper is imperitive. No team has won anything (Cups, Championships) without a good keeper. (MW)

4. The game has changed since you played what differences to see know as opposed to when you played?. (insideFC)

Balls-they move much more in the air, and it must be a nightmare for modern keepers to assess the trajectory of the ball. Defenders also mark deeper off set pieces, so more deflections and less time to make decisions on coming for crosses or not! (MW)

5. Who was the best player you played with and against?. (insideFC)

Cantona was special, Mark Hughes was a class act, Goalkeeping wise Neville Southall was the best in the world by a country mile in my eyes. I had a soft spot for skilful and creative players, who could pass well, so Ian Crook would be on my list, & one of the most under-rated players I ever played with was Ian Culverhouse who is now at Aston Villa as assistant manager, both should have played for England. (MW)

6. What is your best football story?. (insideFC)

Many but unfortunately all are off the pitch - & involve other people who I don’t want to embarrass!! (MW)

7. You played with Sydney FC coach Ian Crook what was he like as a player?. (insideFC)

Very educated, knowledgeable as a player and one of the best strikers and passers of a ball you would ever see. He was genuinely a class act. (MW)

8. How do you think Crooky will go as manager at Sydney FC?. (insideFC)

I would imagine he would be a good coach, managing is a different skill set altogether, it depends if the club have a long term plan, or just want success quickly! I doubt if he will have much time to build a club, so will need to get results, and this is the modern problem, he will have to manage the expection of the club and not just the players-big job! I would suggest he would do a good job, as he is experienced and has valuable contacts in Europe which may come in handy….. (MW)

9. What's the worst goalkeeping blunder you made?. (insideFC)

 Many! Let a 30 yard free kick go straight through my hands, it could be classed as a SHOCKER!! (MW)

10. You lived in Oz for while was the A- league ever an option?. (inisdeFC)

No not really – although it is a regret that I never played outside the UK, I would have loved the chance to. (MW)

11. What do you think of the A - league and how is it perceived in the UK?. (insideFC)

I think the recent signings have made the poms sit up and take it seriously, we need more coverage, and I think then it will be talked about more as a good league. When you think of the ozzies that have made massive contributions to the premier league, it should be a furtile scouting area for all our clubs. Once that happens I think they drop the visa issues to come and play, you could see an explosion of ozzies playing here. (MW)

12. You are now studying at University , were there any programs at the clubs you were at that helped you think about your career post football?. (insideFC)

 No you played and that was it on the education and planning for a future career front (MW)

13. Do you think there should be?. (insideFC)

I think there are a lot of things that have changed for the better. But as I am aiming to become a sports psychologist – I would say psychology obviously! But I think lifestyle training and planning for a career after retirement is a vital area that needs developing. (MW)

14. Ryan Giggs has Stated his pride of being Welsh and even if he was eligable to play for England he would had chosen Wales anyway, with a talented squad why do you think Wales arnt more competitive on the world stage?. (insideFC)

I think we have always had very good individual players’ but never great teams. We seem to change managers too often, and have to realise we are not great & it will take time to build for the future. We again have the makings of a side, but rely on Bale and Ramsey too much, so they try and do too much, and we then loose shape & give away goals! I think it is going to be a long long time before we qualify for a major competition!. (MW)

Special Thanks to Mark Walton.

Damien Coope.

Klopp among the best?

Best manager in the world. Always a controversial topic with many arguments claiming different managers. For what it’s worth, i will throw my opinion into the hat. Jürgen Klopp. Sure, he is not considered among the Ferguson’s, Mourinhio’s and Guardiola’s but is that fair.

Not so long ago, Borussia Dortmund was forced to go public and was very close to going under through massive debts. Players had to take a 20% pay cut just so the club had a chance to survive.  However despite this the team is now once again playing among Europe’s elite and just last week beat Real Madrid in the Champions League. Now the question arises how?.

I put it down to the one man... Jurgen Klopp. Klopp was appointed as Borussia Dortmund in 2008 following consecutive seasons of which Dortmund had underperformed. Results were immediate as the team won the DFB Supercup in his first season in charge. Following that however the club encountered a few average seasons finishing fifth and sixth in consecutive years. When looking at that period now we can view it as the rebuilding phase. Cause following those two years they have reached new heights beating Bayern to the title two years in a row. Through in a Pokal victory in last year’s final against Bayern and you got pretty impressive reading.

Features of the Dortmund play are impressive. That is how I came to start watching and to support such a team. Dortmund is renowned for a high tempo pressing game which is pretty to watch and when at their best it is the closest to perfect you will experience. The features of the play do not involve a special individual player taking on multiple defenders but with simple hard work. Even watching, you can see everyone wants to give 200% effort for the guy next to him.  Now just in case you don’t know, this style is effective but at the same time if one piece of the puzzle is out of place warning bells go off which is proven through their slow start in this year’s edition of the Bundesliga.

However if successful it tears apart the opposition. This is frequently the case because of the confidence which is installed into the eleven individuals who are allowed on the field. The man management of Klopp is frequently shown by his players. Personally I will not forget the scenes of him easing Mitch Langerak's nerves in the 2012 Pokal final. This is just one instance of many.

Given these facts I believe he should be considered amongst the managerial elite and if he is given the chance at a club like Real Madrid, Manchester United or Barcelona he will get results. Bare in mind Dortmund only has a fraction of the salaries of these clubs.

Justin Smith.

Attention Punters - with more games on over night we have had a look at some games that are up for grabs at great odds. Games are as follows:

Merseyside derby - draw @ $3.30
Tough one but Newcastle to win - @ $1.90
Spurs to beat Southampton - @ $1.85
Bordeaux to beat Bastia - @ $2.35

Our form with a league has been bad but we think we will turn it around with these results.

Happy punting!!!!!

PUNT PUNT PUNT

Punters Alert:

There are alot of World Cup Qualifiers on tonight with some good odds and money to be made. Here at inside we have discussed and come up with our best tips for the overnight games.

Serbia to beat Macedonia - $2.00
South Korea to beat Iran - $2.30
Rep. of Ireland to beat Faroe Islands - $1.35
Holland to beat Romania - $1.70
Hungary and Turkey to draw - $3.30

HAPPY PUNTING GUYS

BRAZIL 2014. PIPE DREAM OR REALITY?

With World Cup Qualifiers just around the corner (October 16), It’s time for all nations (whether they be competing in UEFA, CONCACAF, AFRICA, ASIA OR CONMEBOL) to step up and get the ball rolling in their respective qualifiers, if they want to be one of the lucky 32 participants at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Australia will take on Iraq Wednesday Night (October 16) in what will prove to be a decisive match for both countries. Having both gained only 2 points from a possible 9, this encounter will surely prove to be an attacking game of Football. Having scored only 2 goals in their last 3 qualifiers, The Socceroos need to look to players like Archie Thompson and Bret Holman to bolster their attack. Holman, I believe, is an out and out Striker. This was evident at the 2010 World Cup, where he netted two goals for Australia in a less than eventful World Cup campaign. Holman has the ability to step up on the biggest stage and deliver, so why are his talents being hidden in and around the Midfield in positions such as Winger or Attacking Midfielder. It was hard to name who Australia fielded as there Strikers in their last qualifying match against Jordan, as the Socceroos attack seemed lacklustre at best. And believe me; this writer was up in the wee hours of the morning at 2:45am watching this miserable game unfold. It seemed there was no desire or will to score, and the only player who ever looked like scoring was Crystal Palace Midfielder Mile Jedinak. The only glimmer of hope for the Socceroos, was when Archie Thompson was introduced late in the game and managed to find the back of the net within 5 minutes of his arrival. Which brings me to my next point, Archie Thompson. A player of his experience, tremendous speed and quick thinking should be starting in matches like these where goals and points are desperately needed. Archie Thompson has the pace to penetrate any defence and has a powerful shot to go with it. So, as the Socceroos trod out on to the pitch in Doha on Tuesday Night (Qatar time), the whole of a nation’s hopes hinge on a Socceroos victory which will bring us one step closer to Brazil 2014. Names like Holman, Thompson and Cahill will play an important role in making sure Australia walk away from Doha with all 3 points.

Alex Stilianos.

Jets stuck on the tarmac

When the Newcastle Jets walked onto Hunter Stadium on Sunday afternoon there was an element of excitement, enthusiasm and anticipation in the air. And rightly so. The club was closing in on their target of 11,000 members – something which appeared extremely unlikely when owner Nathan Tinkler wanted to hand back his A-League license in March. Luckily for the people of the Hunter, an emergency meeting with Frank Lowy in a Brisbane Airport hangar with Mr Tinkler sorted out the issues and the license was back on the table.

Fast forward to October and the Jets had signed some of the best young talent in the country as coach Gary van Egmond looked to play a style not too dissimilar to back-to-back champions Brisbane Roar. Little known players to many such as Craig Goodwin, James Brown, Adam Taggart, Mark Birighitti, Josh Mitchell and Scott Neville were part of the squad after favourites such as Elrich, Wehrmann and Topor-Stanley et al were shown the door.

Make no mistake, the performance from the Jets was disappointing and most of the 14,868-strong crowd had every right to expect a better performance than the 2-0 loss. But there’s a difference between expecting something better and becoming negative after one poor performance. Some things said on social media after the game was rather disappointing. People need to be aware that it’s a long season and there’s still plenty of time to make up supposed lost ground.

Van Egmond conceded after the game “we probably needed to create more clear cut opportunities but the control of the game was by ourselves.” Marquee man Emile Heskey will be better for the run along with his teammates and van Egmond said he was happy with how his target man went after arriving in the country 10 days prior to the game. “Emile wanted to stay out there for 95 minutes but we have to be a little bit careful with him and we probably went a little bit over with him today. I was looking at only giving him half a game but he’s got such a willingness to play and get out there and to try and contribute,” he said.

Maybe some of the fans need to contribute for the remainder of the season rather than jumping out at the first sign of slight turbulence.

Paul Jobber

Ok guys, With a load of champions league games on tonight , the tip of the round is Zenit St Petersburg vs AC Milan at $3.30. Milan have been struggling as of late, they will especially struggle in difficult territory like Russia.