Farina has hinted at the possibility of deploying Charlie Miller at the point of a midfield diamond in the new season.
Plan A:
Seo Moore Josh M Packer
Tiatto
Matty Massy
Kruse Zullo
Van D
Plan B: When more craft and build up is required
Seo Moore Josh M Packer
Tiatto
Massy Matty
Miller
Smits Van D
Farina tried this 442 diamond formation at the start of last season without much success. Things could be different this season with the signing of Miller. This formation suffered at the start of last season with Massimo Murdocca injured the Roar lacked a player with the energy to play on the right side of a underpopulated midfield. While Reinaldo worked hard and held the ball up, Roar struggled to find a second striker to support him with Milicic and Lynch hopelessly out of form. Marcinho was still acclimatising and was not yet as effective as he was in the run in to the finals.
The new personnel may not look much stronger on paper than last season's squad, but with the signing of Miller they may prove more versatile and more effective. (god I hope so!!)
Vv's idea of fancy Japanese is traditionally an upmarket sushi bar... Haniachi after the pub is about as classy as it usually gets. No longer. Sono was a revelation in just how enjoyable and fun Japanese cuisine can be, even without the train.
The food tasted just as good (actually much better) when placed carefully on the table as when you have to catch it yourself as it cruises by. Actually the train thing has never really appealed, the food gets cold and your favorite never sneaks past the chubby couple with the surprisingly good reflexes.
As usual Vv sampled more of the menu than is recommended by the AMA and it was all delightful, except the Gyu Steak which was tough (go the Wagu - novice error). Don't miss the soft shell crab served in a tomato, cucumber and vinegar salsa - just sublime. The crab was possibley the Vv culinary highlight of 2008 so far.
Sono wont get any awards for value for money but your paying for inner city rent, top quality ingredients and great atmosphere.
A drum belting, bikini clad, booty shaking festival atmosphere pervaded Lang Park as a clearly football starved Brisbane crowd gathered in anticipation to watch the much vaunted samba boys take on our local plodders… Frank Farina had warned that the South American kids would be skilful and tricky but that the roar would pressure them, cut down there time on the ball and deny them space – sounded like Bolton preparing for a visit to the Camp Nou.
In the end it was all a bit of a fizzer. There were plenty of skills on display – all from the local lads in orange (bizarrely mostly from Danny Tiatto). The visitors barely touched the ball in the first half, let alone executed any tricks. The Roar flowed. Tiatto jinked, Massy twisted, Zullo beat his man, Smits won everything in the air, Van Dijk turned and riffled shots at will, Seo worked up and down the right flank and Moore sprayed pinpoint accurate passes all over the park.
The Brazilians desperately lumped balls forward only for their young strikers to be outpaced by Craig Moore.
For all the talk before this game, the idea that the Roar would be looking to sign one or two of these youngsters is laughable. None impressed and I hope that the Queensland public, 13,000 of whom turned out, don't feel a bit let down by the clearly second rate opposition.
Although the new A-League season will no doubt present a sterner test than the samba kids, the new signings looked good.
Smits' toughness impressed me and belied his tender age and slight frame. While he does not look to have the touch or powerful shot of Van Dijk, he was brave, worked hard and took his goal chance when it came. I wont be surprised if he earns himself a few starts this season particularly against side who will sit back and deny our pacey little folk space to get behind the defence.
Van Dijk himself has clearly got some pedigree, strong on the ball with vicious strike on him. The ironic shouts of "where's Mezenga?" after a third rocket had soared over the crossbar rang a little hollow as the Brazilians clearly struggled to contatin the big (Flying?? surely not) Dutchman.
Luke DeVere looked the part despite the odd positional lapse and what better man but Moore to have at your side while learning the trade?
Tommy Oar looked like a boy playing a man’s game and I hope that the media have not put too much pressure on him with all this “new Harry Kewel” rubbish. He has clearly been signed to keep the Gold Coast local out of the grasp of the new franchise (Boo Hiss -cant wait to have a derby!).
Then we get to Miller. A quick look through his CV showed that the Rangers days had long since passed and nothing much of note had followed. The portly figure in the photos and the highly suspect taste in facial hair did not inspire much hope. Matt Mackay candidly admitted after the game that Miller was wearing a specially made shirt to accommodate his girth.
The Miller’s first touch after being bought on was so silky we nearly stopped shouting “who ate all the pies”. A chant which, perhaps unsurprisingly, my Brazilian associate was unfamiliar with and found, more surprisingly, absolutely hilarious – resulting renditions of such gusto and enthusiasm that the vaguely annoyed looking Scotsman could be left in no doubt of the first impression he was making.
Miller's second touch was a Zizou style turn to create space followed by an intelligent pass. His influence grew the longer he was on the pitch and his performance demonstrate intelligence, skill, flair and an absolute killer volley. Miller topped it all off by providing the last goal in a performance which drained most of my scepticism away.
Unfortunately we had heckled him so much about his portly proportions before he got on the pitch that he did not seem that keen to give us wave after… So Charlie… if you’re reading this – you’re actually pretty good and it would be lovely if you would stay in Brisbane… the weather is warm, the locals are friendly… and the pies are plentifulJ
Of course there will be doubts about Miller's fitness and whether that style of playmaker fits with the Roar’s fast paced brand of total football. For me he gives us another way to goal – a plan “B” something which we have lacked in previous seasons. When the flying wingers and mobile midfield are just not getting the result, the option of bringing on a genuine “number 10” would allow the team to shift in shape and style to unlock the opposition defence.
Given his performance on the weekend we hope he signes and gets fit because if he can keep that form up all season it will sure be fun to watch.
Found this little gem on Ipswich road at Annerly during a pit stop on the way to the Rocklea markets. Perfect example of the beauty of keeping things simple and high quality.
The vibe is a quaint mix of antique collectible v surfaces darling and it gives the impression of the kind of place that despite being small, always has room for you and your paper. There is a small but tasty range of simple toasted sandwiches and bagels to choose from to accompany the top draw coffee. You cant go wrong.
This relatively new addition to the emerging South-side coffee scene is sure to thrive because it is not trying to bite of more than it can chew or pretend to be something it ain't. I cant stand a place that insists on serving a two kilo Turkish bread filled with 17 ingredients for morning tea - I just wanted a snack - something lite and tasty to complement my drink. Dudley st is the kind of joint locals can visit every day, and that is a good thing, because it will be while before the latte set are abandoning there usual haunts north of the river to venture over to the inner south side. (However the advent of the Pearl Cafe may change all that - but that is another story).
A curry house with a well stocked bar, located directly above a pole dancing club… a bachelors dream? Well perhaps, for the unimaginative. Unfortunately, “exotic” may be an even more optimistic description of the food that emerges from the Club India Kitchen than the dancing that goes on downstairs.
The curries lacked the flair and fragrance which makes Indian food one of the great world cuisines.
Aesthetically, the large space with uncovered tables spread out across what was once a dance floor, creates a soulless atmosphere despite the aggressively decorative wallpaper and uncomfortably loud soundtrack.
We love the idea of crossing a bar with an Indian restaurant, however at the moment Club India falls awkwardly somewhere in the middle, achieving neither well. Club India has none of the mouthwatering home home style flavours of the Taj nor the slick finish and friendly service of the other new kid on the curry block, Mehfil.
Verdict: More folly than Bolly - hopefully this new addition to the eating scene will find its feet, as the almost complete lack of Peshwari Naan in the CBD is yet another example of Brisbane clinging stubbornly to its big country town vibe.
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