BohemianDublin

Oh come the hell on. With all the stuff going on, lets do this.

The whole Kogarah Derby thing was interesting. Having special trains to/from Central was good, although it seemed not too many people actually used them. The police were hopelessly prepared and briefed. It was as if they had no idea how to manage crowds. There were a few at the station, when we arrived, but not many as we walked down the road. Rather than let large crowds gather at corners near the station… maybe stop traffic when the train comes it and let the crowd move as quickly as possible to the ground? Luckily supporters, for both teams, were in good spirits and seemed to just want to get into the ground. I’d never been to the ground before, and it seemed like I wasn’t the only one, so it was odd that nobody seemed to be directing people to gates. Information was poor. There were no bag searches on the way in – well there were a few, but they were hopelessly inadequate. The seating arrangements are what they are, but I’ve still no idea where I was supposed to go? Every man for themselves? The big hill? The narrow row of seats? Loads of folk seemed unsure. I had 3 x 13 year olds who wanted to be with the RBB. Terrible view. It would be impossible to sit down and watch the game. The seats were never intended to view a game with 1m high advertising boards surrounding the playing area. So it would be perfectly reasonable for spectators to stand-up, and smaller ones standing on seats. It was odd that the hill behind the RBB was blocked off and only had 20 or so police. It would have been a better area to view the game. The fence around that ground is simply not fit for purpose. It’s old and dangerous. The section near me was held on with a few tek screws. In the second half, I feared the whole thing giving way, like the issue at Blacktown FFA Cup game a few years ago. I got the 3x 13 year olds to move slightly back. I felt a major safety issue was avoided, because a few hundred RBB supporters had left the ground just before the goal was scored. I don’t know the capo, but he has always seemed like a very reasonable guy. I saw him there with what looked like a wife and kid the other week. If I was the head of security arrangements, he’d be the very bloke I’d want to know and liaise with. I saw him asking people, on the megaphone thing trying to get people to get down from standing on seats both at Kogarah and Geelong. [at Geelong, it worked, albeit that there was a smaller crowd.] I’ve always thought he’s got the balance right of being a capo, passionately driving support for our team, whilst also doing the right thing. If I saw him at the pub I’m buy him a beer. If you want to inflame a situation, you march 15 police to block views and stand in a menacing pose in front of, at that stage, a light humoured crowd. So it seemed to me that once the police posturing happened, the police were escalating the issue, which is the opposite of what I thought they were there for. I’ve always thought the Supporter Marshalls to be a good thing and the 4 or 5 regulars seem like good guys, especially the really big guy and the bloke with the funny haircut. If I was the senior police officer on duty, I’d be using these guys the way there were intended – as liaison people. This didn’t seem to happen. When the capo was removed, with unnecessary force, I saw the bloke with the funny haircut run from his position on the field to try and intervene/negotiate with the police, but alas to no avail. This moment changed everything. By that stage, the police, like the school bully had simply decided to pick a fight. That’s wrong. As a reasonable citizen, and seasoned football supporter, I changed from feeling a degree of safety with police to feeling threatened by them. After the game they aggressively stopped by 13 year old son from going to the toilet block and tried to usher him and his two buddies out the other way. After the game, outside the ground, some stewards were ushering people to Kogarah station. Really sensible that. Longer walk and incoming trains are already full? We walked down to Carlton and got the Special train which was good. There was nobody there directly people to platforms and it was tricky enough to work out which train was going where and what platform to go to. At Carlton station, a young bloke sprinkled some water on Sydney supporters below (in a way that an 8 year old kid would do at school)… a few robo-cops below ran up the stairs and smashed him up against the roller door before manhandling him with excessive force to the ground. It was uncalled for. And finally, it’s a long time since I’ve celebrated a goal like that. I thought we’d missed our chance with Cox moments earlier. But when that ball came over and Mitch rose like a hungry salmon. And the ball looped in what seemed like, real life, slow motion. And then smashed the net, in a way that was beautiful. I was a kid again. Football it’s the beautiful game.

The things I'd really like to do better then we've done in the past few years: 1. Do NOT try to rebuild an entire team in the off season We have to stick with some of what we have My key players to retain - Lopar, Muller, Duke Probably adding Baccus, Schwegler. I haven't seen enough of Cox, but at least he's already better than Pio and Meier. (low bar, I know) Of the younger players, I'd keep Sullivan, Tass, Wilmering, Mo, Russell. 2. Give game time to the younger players NOW. We're not doing too much with this season, but at least play the young guys. As well as the five above, I've liked the glimpses I've seen of Cordier and Trew. 3. The three at the back thing? Really? Is there really anybody who thinks this is worth persisting with. Poor Jurman, looks like a lumbering left-footed elephant with the turning circle of a road-train. DG, clearly a nice bloke, but already focusing on his modeling and media career (and good luck to him, as he may be better at it). I've assumed, we made a mistake and signed the wrong McGowan? 4. At training, show the players a photo of a football pitch. And explain that the goals run North-South and not East-West.

This. Plus, the one game where a membership should be worthwhile - a 'sell-out' Derby, as a White & Black member, get lumped in with loads of Sydney GA supporters. Got vertigo trying to find a seat. I'd predict a lot of people won't renew and will pick and choose certain games from next season.

Announcement tomorrow so? By the way, not sure if you went Stringer/Damned, but The Stranglers were great on Saturday night.

I reckon the 'football authorities' are a hell of a lot better than their cricket counterparts today. That cricket thing still going ahead? I think everyone knows it isn't.

All things considered, the correct decision. And for once, it suits me... had sort of double booked myself tonight... now a clear run to the Enmore to see The Stranglers. No more heroes. [only folk of a certain genre will get this] [punk and football, it was a heady mix in the early 80s]

Anyone got a tip on getting to this ground, if driving? Is there any chance of parking nearby, or is it better to park near a train station (Rockdale?) and train in the last bit.

Bring it on. We're going to win.

I think the problem is what's below Babbel. Merrick's best days are behind him, but as part of Babbel's team... interesting.

We just don't look like a team. Our body language is all wrong. Arteta spoke about this, as the first thing he changed when he arrived at Arsenal. Personified last night with Meier/Muller colliding and Ziegler waiting for Lopar to arrive early on. There are some good bits. Adam needs to train constantly doing 1on1s against Jurman, so he doesn't get out muscled every time. Muller is good. We were better in the first half last night. But there's no self belief. There's no, "right lads, lets get stuck in here and put this game away before half time". We have some pace up front, so we have to use it. Break forward quickly. We have to stop doing very silly things. Let's defend corners at the back post. We conceded that goal against Geelong Utd and again last night (and another one I've forgotten). Meier scares me. He looks like he's having a bad dream about moving to Australia. Did we do an adequate fitness check on him or just panic buy, based on previous reputation. Its as it nobody actually saw him play before we forked out the wedge. I'm not sure about Jetski. I ilke him and he cares. But he's 'quite good' at too many positions and not great at any. You know you have a problem when, you're searching for a goal and the closest comes from Jurman's finessed flick. If we'd kept Riera, Neville and Jamieson/the little ranga, we'd be winning the league. It's still an enjoyable night out. Especially last night as the teens didn't bother coming.

Too much talk and distraction on VAR. Too much focus on siege mentality. Too much silliness and dissent - very suprised at Swegler. We were very poor in the first half BUT scored a nice goal from a poor defensive pass and a deflection. We were much better in the second half, we really were. We got stuck in and had a go. Muller has come good. We're caught between playing 3 and 4 at the back. We don't have the quality of players at the back to play 3. We've conceded too many goals from diagonal balls played in behind our non-existant (or slow) (or out of position) full backs. If we could have Neville & Jamieson back, along with Riera (for Meier), we'd win this league at a canter. Babbel, just needs to relax and behave like a German. We'll be ok.

I'm backing Babbel. It's simply not the time, mid season. We've got to be the club who gives coaches a go. Decide at the end of the season. And please never Muscat or Rudan

Stick with Babbel, for this season at least. Give him a decent go. I like his passion, honesty and that he says how he feels I think we are improving. I'd play Meier & Sullivan.

#Babbel must stay The ingredients are there. [and we're thrown out the lemons] We just need to work a bit more on the recipe.