Ante Covic

[Prydzopolis]

Yep. He isn't covering the near post and his judgement coming off his line is suspect, the hesitation suggests he has lost the nerve required to play off his line. Distribution is very poor, Covic constantly kicks the ball out even under no pressure or on goal kicks and his passing to short-medium distances like chipping to fullbacks and wingers is wayward, going out or putting those players under pressure.

Ante has been a true and loyal servant to club, but I am 100% comfortable with Deano having the number 1 on the back of his jersey next season.

Whether it's decline, fatigue or simply a case of the yips, I fear Ante is on his way out. Would love for him to prove me wrong, but I don't see it happening.

As highlighted above, don't you think fatigue & the long season had something to play in his late season dip in form? The type of form he was in for us for the first 6 months was nothing short of superb & don't you think that earns him some sort of reprieve? I definitely agree with you, this second half of the season he hasn't been in form & I'd add catching the ball & dominating his box has been a worry too. To think that it's only the outfield players that suffer as a result of a long season is pretty short sighted & I don't think we are forgiving enough especially since it was his form in goal that single handily won us the ACL. If he can get back into the same sort of form that saw him win MVP of the 14 ACL don't you think he should get another year?

[dmixtaaa]

 

 

 

Yep. He isn't covering the near post and his judgement coming off his line is suspect, the hesitation suggests he has lost the nerve required to play off his line. Distribution is very poor, Covic constantly kicks the ball out even under no pressure or on goal kicks and his passing to short-medium distances like chipping to fullbacks and wingers is wayward, going out or putting those players under pressure.

As much as it pains me to say it I believe age has caught up with him and he should no longer be our automatic, first choice. Personally, I think he should retire gracefully, but I understand the drive and determination makes that difficult for him to do.

 

I totally agree. I think the decision should be in the hands of Ron Corry. He's been around long enough to know if he still can get any improvement out of him.

 

 

yeah, but to ron corry - ante is still just a young whippersnapper

 

To Ron Corry everyone is a young whipper snapper. He has coached Allan Maher, Mark Schwarzer, Zeljko Kalac, Bozza, Tony Franken, Clint Bolton, Bob Caitlin all who played keeper for Socceroos, just as he did as well as hundreds of other keepers in a career which spans over 40 years at the top level in this country. He also coached Popa, Chipperfield, Milicic and even gave Graham Arnold his first start (unfortunately) as well I think he knows when a keeper has had enough. I'll trust his judgement.

[Carns]

He'll be 40 in June. Time catches up with all of us and he is not immune. It was hard to say goodbye to Shinji but it was the correct decision (considering his injury woes since returning to Japan).

Covic's had a fantastic career and would probably have a job lined up for when he hangs up the gloves, better to do it still as #1 rather than fade into obscurity, IMO.

[DinoPresinger]

Ante can stay forever. Until he wants to retire, or is older than Ron Corry is now

[tardotz]

Its hard...up till December he was the top goalkeeper in Asia,remember we were all saying he should be picked for the socceroos. Since then he's been poor and slightly improving in the couple of games. The problem is that the skills aren't learned or lost in a few months but form does. TBH he has been hit with the same 'form' bug that has hit all our other players.

I would personally like to see him back next season recharged and ready to go...maybe his testimonial season

[dmixtaaa]

Its hard...up till December he was the top goalkeeper in Asia,remember we were all saying he should be picked for the socceroos. Since then he's been poor and slightly improving in the couple of games. The problem is that the skills aren't learned or lost in a few months but form does. TBH he has been hit with the same 'form' bug that has hit all our other players.

I would personally like to see him back next season recharged and ready to go...maybe his testimonial season

Being overlooked like that would always be a kick in the nuts and a huge dent in the confidence levels. Being away from the family as well, flying all over the world wouldn't help at that age. He did us proud and as you say he was the MVP in the ACL tournament just a few months back. I'd like to see him come back after a well earned rest but that is a decision for him to make. I hope the club doesn't make it for him. He has earned that right.

[Alexander]

So would I be correct in assuming that with all the Vukovic speculation, Covic will be one of the release casualties in the next few weeks? Seems very harsh to me, very harsh

[GunnerWanderer]

Longer term Covic doesn't make much sense so if a top keeper like Danny is available now might be wise to get him. Covic has been a loyal servant if he goes out I'd hoped the club make a big deal of it. 

We all know without him the ACL would not have been won. 

[Zelinsky]

I believe Ante is contemplating retiring.

[Nnnnnathan12]

We still need that Covic statue...

[DCWSW]

This moment, frozen in time, just outside the north terrace 

 

[Nnnnnathan12]

Can we take down the Ray Price statue like they took down the Hussein staute??

[Alexander]

This moment, frozen in time, just outside the north terrace 

 

Still gets the heart racing

Can we take down the Ray Price statue like they took down the Hussein staute??

As Barack Obama said "Yes we can!"

[Nnnnnathan12]

and then throw our shoes at it...

[Taurus]

Spoke with Ante after the Perth game & he was keen to play on for another year, but was yet to discuss the matter with Club.

Contracts expire 31/05, so player retention discussions will probably ramp up now that our ACL campaign has concluded. 

Ante's was doing his initial coaching certs, when time permits, so there's no doubt he'll have a role to play at WSW for many years to come. 

[Neverbloom]

sorry lucas, i mean Ante but the best part of your career is gone

[Prydzopolis]

sorry lucas, i mean Ante but the best part of your career is gone

Don't forget, goal keepers have a different shelf life compared to outfield players. It is quite incredible the amount of goal keepers past the 35 age bracket who are performing well all over the world. With Ante, it is no different!

[GunnerWanderer]

and then throw our shoes at it...

 

I've seen that 4 million times and it NEVER stops being funny lol

[theguyyouwishyouwere]

Can we take down the Ray Price statue like they took down the Hussein staute??

 

 

looks like Saddam is making a diving save

[Davo]

 

and then throw our shoes at it...

 

I've seen that 4 million times and it NEVER stops being funny lol

 

He sounded like he was as dumb as a sack of rocks but the dude must have kicked ass at dodgeball.

[Zelinsky]

 

and then throw our shoes at it...

 

I've seen that 4 million times and it NEVER stops being funny lol

 

 

I've just about been p1ssing myself laughing when watching this. It is like a scene from looney tunes. The attacker aimed well, and GWB did equally well in avoiding being hit. Much better effort than that at Q&A with John Howard.

 

I wonder how many more shoes he would have peppered down the auditorium had it not been for the guy behind him grabbing his jacket and pulling him back. Too funny.

[hawks2767]

If the stadium belongs to the Government and the Eels put a statue of their player then we have every right to put an Ante statue up if that's what everyone wants.

 

Can't wait until we bulldoze that cricket oval behind the stadium and build a WSW Leagues Club.

[Prydzopolis]

If the stadium belongs to the Government and the Eels put a statue of their player then we have every right to put an Ante statue up if that's what everyone wants.

 

Can't wait until we bulldoze that cricket oval behind the stadium and build a WSW Leagues Club.

Don't forget that Lederer wants his one at Rooty Hill, nice if they could use the land to expand the stadium when they get money!

[hawks2767]

Rooty Hill as a clubhouse is ridiculous, the whole idea of a leagues club is somewhere to meet before and after home games.

 

Parramatta or nothing, name the rooms in there after players like Ono, Ante, NTS etc.

 

Name the drop off point outside the front doors the Saba bay,maximum 5 minute parking to remember his time at WSW.

[AEK]

 

Name the drop off point outside the front doors the Saba bay,maximum 5 minute parking to remember his time at WSW.

 

[Nnnnnathan12]

Rooty Hill as a clubhouse is ridiculous, the whole idea of a leagues club is somewhere to meet before and after home games.

 

Parramatta or nothing, name the rooms in there after players like Ono, Ante, NTS etc.

 

Name the drop off point outside the front doors the Saba bay,maximum 5 minute parking to remember his time at WSW.

 

 

If we got the world cup in 2022 the plan was to build a stadium out the back of Aquillina Reserve where the Blacktown Spartans now play...

[smp]

 

Can we take down the Ray Price statue like they took down the Hussein staute??

 

 

looks like Saddam is making a diving save

Or just a dive, an outstretched arm and the desperate plea of all prima donna strikers as they fall to the ground with no one near them "C'MON REFEREEE!"

 

(You just know Saddam would have been a filthy diving cheat)

[ManfredSchaefer]

Rooty Hill?

 

Rooty Hill?

 

Is there a Bavarian there?

 

I don't think so!

 

FFS Just buy the land/carpark behind the the Parra Bavarian and build a Wanderers club annex there..et voila, in house steins & pork knuckles, 5 mins to the ground & problem solved.

[hawks2767]

That carpark I think is penciled in for a 90 story apartment tower.

[Edinburgh]

That carpark I think is penciled in for a 90 story apartment tower.

 

Surely they could spare the ground floor for the Wanderers club!?