Saturday, 7 September 2013

Fan Focus: Melbourne Heart with Aidan Nuhanovic

This week's fan focus takes us to the Red & White part of Melbourne with Heart fan Aidan Nuhanovic. We've heard from the big brother of Melbourne football its now time for the little brothers turn to state their case. There is always lots to talk about with Melbourne Heart and in this case Aidan didn't disappoint. From the South Melbourne takeover bid to superstar Harry Kewell we cover the past, present and the future. If theres one thing for sure, Aidan certainly #Heartbelieves.



1.     Thank you for taking the time to take part in our fan focus interview, last season describe it as a Melbourne Heart supporter?.

Many words and feelings come to my mind when I think back to last season, Many of those words are not exactly “PG”. Season 2012/2013 was the most frustrating season as a Melbourne Heart supporter and I was very pleased when it finally ended. The experience was worse than a young boy going to the dentist for the first time, it was horrific. 

2.     Where do you think it all went wrong?.

It all went wrong from the word go. Last season we lacked leadership and commitment. Captain Fred being injured all the time did not help at all but even if a captain is down, someone is expected to stand up. No one stood up last season, maybe with the exception of Richard Garcia, and that pains me to say that.
There was also no commitment by the players. I’m not sure if John Aloisi told the boys that in a football match, there are 90 minutes. For the majority of the season we played the first 45 minutes of the game and then dozed off. They went home.  

3.     What do you think of John  Aloisi as a manager, have u been satisfied thus far?.
I rate Rebecca Black more as a singer than I rate John Aloisi a manger. We all know he was a great player but that does not always mean they will be a great coach. This is a time where his ability as a manager and his ability as a player are both at different ends of the scale.
Going off the last paragraph, if you haven’t figured out if I have been satisfied with John Aloisi or not, then I suggest you go and see your local GP.

4.     We love JA but we think Ante Milicic should’ve got the job over him would you agree?.
Honestly, at the time that JA was announced as our manager, I was quite pleased. Yes, he only had a short time coaching the Youth team but it was JOHN ALOISI!
Fast forward a year or two, it ended up being a horrible decision. Results have not gone our way (Look at our interstate record) and he has not performed well enough in my opinion to keep his job.
But I do not agree that Ante should have gotten then job over JA. We cannot guarantee that Ante would have done a better job or not because he has not been able to be in the position that JA has been in. 

5.     Ian Ramsay is one of the buys of the of season in our opinon what do you make of the new additions to the Heart squad?.

Not being bias, but I would give Melbourne Heart an A+ for the signings of the current season. A lot of people do not agree with the amount of 30+ year olds that we have signed but age should not matter if they are performing, because in the end, all that matters is how well you compete.
Harry Kewell has been a massive signing for Melbourne and is playing for the world cup, this signing was a stroke of genius by the club.
To be honest, I had not heard of Rob Wielart until he signed for Heart but his CV speaks for itself.
Getting Aziz back on loan this year will boost our chances of playing finals this year as he has always played a massive part. I cannot fault the additions to Melbourne Heart.


6.     Last season the Heart released a lot of players including inaugural players  Thompson & Colosimo, was this the correct decision?.

Releasing these players was the correct decision. They were simply not performing well enough to compete. They were also not performing well enough to justify their wages. The clock had struck 12 by the time the season hit half way. Matt Thompson and Simon Colosimo were meant to be our “leaders” on field, the only thing these two led were yellow cards and foul count. On field performance was terrible so they paid the ultimate price. 

7.     One of the reasons the football department gave was it was because of there age, but then they have signed Engelaar , Kewell and Wielaet who are 34 or there abouts, have they been good signings?.

The difference between the players we have the released and Kewell, Engelaar etc. is that the latter are simply better. There is no other way I can answer that question.

8.     Speaking of Harry he has been announced as the captain of Melbourne Heart Football Club which we agree with, was he the right choice?.
The club could not have picked a better player to captain Melbourne Heart. He is a role model who has something to prove, knowing this; he will make all his teammates strive for the very best. He has something to play for and he cannot achieve that without his team, which tells me, he will get the very best out of everyone this season so he and his teammates have the best chance of flying to Brazil and flying to the championship. 

9.     How will this go down with your fellow fans seeing as he did play for your bitter rivals?.

I know the Melbourne Heart family are a bunch of intelligent people. They will know that he is the right choice judging by what he is playing for. We want a leader, and that’s exactly what we are going to get.
  
10. What about Orlando Engelaar, he looks to be out for 3 months maybe longer, its devastating news not just for you guys but the league also?.
To be honest, none of my mates including myself knew who Orlando was. Going by that, I do not see it being a massive blow to the A-League, in fact I do not see it dent the league.
But yes, it will affect Melbourne Heart. JA had openly said that he made a team that would benefit Orlando’s style of play more so than his own. Since he has been injured, it does not look good at all. 

11.  Overall have you been happy with the recruiting the Heart has done since the club’s birth?.

Yes I have been. Bringing up youth has been massive for us which has meant we have been less active around transfer season but when we have needed to make crucial recruiting decisions, they have done well in luring players.

12. John Van’t Schip has returned to Melbourne in the back rooms, is this a good move?.

Its great to have our inaugural coach back. He will not be here very long at all but what he is trying to do with the Johan Cruff Academy is amazing. He loves the club as much as we love him. He is giving up his time to help us excel and be ready for the future which I love.

13. Was his time in the hotseat as success?.

We are still competing in the A-League so yes his time was a success.  Fans do not usually love someone as much as we do with JVS if he has not done well. He has pretty much made our club what it is today.
  
14. The Heart has a big job in trying to succeed in the tough Melbourne sporting market, what needs to be done to get more members and people to games?.

The club needs to continue advertising and really push what they are doing to help the community. The fans job is crucial as well and that is where we try and bring along our mates. We had a ‘One Melburnian’ campaign and that worked a treat for the club. The club needs to give the fans more opportunities on match day and offers through our sponsors also.

15.  How can the club attract fans to the red and white part of Melbourne instead of crosstown rivals Victory?.
We are the peoples club, we help the community. We also see ourselves as a family friendly club whereas the other team in Melbourne is most certainly not a family friendly club. We attract families because of our safe environment.

16. Lets talk about the South Melbourne attempted take over, are you glad its fallen through?.
We are ‘Melbourne Heart’ we are our own club, that’s the way I want it, that’s the way everyone wants it. I think I can speak for every Melbourne Heart member/supporter and say that we are 100% glad it had fallen through.

17.  What would it mean if South Melbourne actually took over, what would change and would the current fan base embrace it?.

What it would mean is that the club would be completely different. I see ‘Melbourne Heart’ slowly fade away. It would also mean the club would lose a lot of their supporter base, including myself. I support MELBOURNE HEART no one else.
18.  Take the emotion away from this question if you can, we desperatly want it to happen but can Melbourne Heart succeed in the A – League?. 
Taking the emotion away from it almost takes everything away from it but bias aside; I 100% KNOW that Melbourne Heart can succeed by themself.

19.  Who’s been the best player to don the red & white jersey?.
That is a very hard question. But the biggest is Harry Kewell and I think he is the best player to don our jersey.

20. And the worst?.
There’s only one Jason Hoffman. He used to be shite, and let’s be honest, still is. Every club has this kind of player. He is someone every can get along with outside of the stadium, but once in the stadium, you wish he was never there. No words describe how bad he is.
What position does he play? I don’t think he even knows!

21. In 10 years the Melbourne Heart will be?. 
Not run by South Melbourne, Still in the A-league and competing well on and off the field. I see our supporter base being one of the most passionate.

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