SA Footy

Reid and Leckie a 50/50 chance to face Jets

AUFC News wrote:Two of Adelaide United FC’s key midfielders are still rated a chance to line up against the Newcastle Jets at Hindmarsh Stadium on Friday night.

Experienced central midfielder Paul Reid and dashing attacking midfielder Mathew Leckie are both optimistic of being available for the Reds’ crucial home match, despite the duo racing against the clock to prove their fitness.

Reid is recovering from a jarred ankle he suffered late in United Youth’s win over the AIS in Canberra in the National Youth League on Sunday, while Leckie is being prevented from going at full tilt due to knee soreness.

Having made just one appearance in the Hyundai A-League in the past 10 games and forced to see The Reds slide down the table, Reid is desperate to return to the mix and hopes to return to full training tomorrow after doing light duties on the track this morning.

The 30 year old has reason to want to rush back, as The Reds’ three wins at home this season have all been with Reid in the starting eleven.

But whether he can convince Coach Aurelio Vidmar, who returns from a coaching course in Sydney tomorrow, and Assistant Coach Phil Stubbins that he is ready is yet to be seen, Vidmar stating a fortnight ago that he would take extra consideration in introducing Reid back into the fold, after an injury disrupted opening 16 rounds.

“At this stage, it was probably a little bit more negative at the beginning of the week but as the rehab has progressed, it is looking more favourable for them to be involved at the weekend,” Stubbins said after the squad’s session today.

“For Reid, the importance of tomorrow’s session is certainly something that we are looking at, that he can come through, and if he does come through he’ll go close to being available for Friday.”

While he did not undertake the warm up, Leckie did train with the main group at Hindmarsh Stadium this morning, and says he expects to be in a condition to be considered to play on Friday night.

“He (Leckie) trained with the group today and got through the session quite well, and we’ll give him every opportunity between now and game day to prove his fitness,” Stubbins said.

The Melbourne born teenager has been one of the finds of the season, his pace against Gold Coast United in The Reds’ last home resulting in the Gold Coast being reduced to 10 men, while his late goal salvaged a point.

Leckie and Reid’s eagerness to play, is an encouraging sign of the playing group’s intent to turn around what is a tough time for the club, the Reds finding themselves in unfamiliar territory at the foot of the table, a position they have not experienced in the Hyundai A-League until now.

Defender Michael Marrone has also resumed training with the main squad, Adelaide United’s forgotten man has recovered from knee and calf problems, which has seen him not play in the Hyundai A-League since Round 6, leaving Vidmar and Stubbins with a near full squad to choose from.

“It’s always nice to have everybody available, that just breeds competition within the squad, but having said that I don’t think it is about any individual at the moment, it’s certainly about everyone trying to play and fulfil their potential,” Stubbins said.

“It’s about us all pulling together and really driving each other to give it everything we’ve got until the end of the season.”

Owusu had stomach cramps at training, and Reid's got another ankle injury. One drama after the next.

Things just keep getting better don't they

After this season we should change our name to Ambulance United FC!

Il Duce wrote:Owusu had stomach cramps at training

Why has he got his period ?

lol must off, he will be gone in a month and a bit so hopefull he wont be here when he gets his next one.

the only problem with this is, we need players.

Il Duce wrote:lol must off, he will be gone in a month and a bit so hopefull he wont be here when he gets his next one.

the only problem with this is, we need players.

Owusu going will be fine then, given he's more of a handbag than a football player.

If Utd are to win tonight, I hope it's 1-0 or 2-0 as I have a multi riding on it.

You are crazy to have a multi riding on Adelaide even if it is at home!

I am not a betting man so why does it rely on two scores?

RoosterMarty wrote:You are crazy to have a multi riding on Adelaide even if it is at home!

I am not a betting man so why does it rely on two scores?

I've gone scoreline under/overs:

ADL/NWC Under 2.5
Wel/Mel Over 2.5

$10 @ $3.04

Ahh of course, that makes sense now.

Well I hope Adelaide hold their part in their multi then, a clean sheet would be nice.. would love to see us score some goals and add some excitement to the game.. they have been pretty damn boring to watch this season.

Another pitiful display by the Reds, absolutely no enthusiasm at all.
Stop the excuses, either several of the squad goes or Vidmar will become the obvious bunny. Captain Dodd, how many goals in the season so far? One I reckon!
Pathetic effort again!

I have to admit I'm not a soccer fan, but I keep watching Adelaide United.

''A'' League crowds are dwindling away and it's not difficult to see why. Perhaps a modicum of skill occasionally would help.

Has Travis Dodd actually kicked the ball to a teammate this year?

Sorry to be negative, but it looks pretty ordinary to say the least.

bring back qu and rech.... i have been holding out hope all year but tonight there was no enthusiasm, passion or intelligence in our game. as soon as cristiano missed ANOTHER shot from point blank range it just didn't look the reds had any belief except for an all to brief section at the start of the 2nd half

redandblack wrote:I have to admit I'm not a soccer fan, but I keep watching Adelaide United.

''A'' League crowds are dwindling away and it's not difficult to see why. Perhaps a modicum of skill occasionally would help.

Has Travis Dodd actually kicked the ball to a teammate this year?

Sorry to be negative, but it looks pretty ordinary to say the least.

They don't call him Travis Dudd for nothing.

Dodd seems to escape the heat when it's applied.
His performance this year has been ordinary.

A couple of Reds players telling the story around the traps that hardly any of the current team are 'taking any notice' of the coach.
I would have thought given their recent very dismal performances, that would be fairly obvious to most fans.
Not sure any group of outside help or "shrinks" brought in can fix that problem!

It sort of shows where the club is at when our best player is 18yrs old.

Should have sold Dodd when we had the chance a couple yrs back, Hughes is terrible, Sarkies is terrible, both strikers are terrible, Cassio looks disinterested.
Our only players worth keeping would be Leckie, Reid, Jamieson, Rudan and Gelakovic.

We need a huge cleanout this yr! Oh and a new coach would be nice.

Yeah its a sad state of affairs isnt it. Just getting a new coach isnt going to fix everything the clubs needs a review from top (as in board members as well) to bottom and if they have nothing to offer in the future then time to move on, I asume the possible new owners (wont belive till I see it) are already doing this.

Adelaide United Official Website wrote:Adelaide United secure Argentinean playmaker

Adelaide United FC has made a major signing for next season after luring Argentinean midfielder Marcos Flores to the club on a two year deal.

The South American has been high on the Reds’ recruiting list over the past year, and after initial contract negotiations fell through last April, Flores has now committed to joining the Hyundai A-League and 2008 AFC Champions League Finalists.

United Specialist Coach Carl Veart made a trip to South America early this year to meet with Flores and watch him in action, the former Socceroos striker’s appraisal of the 24 year old on his return to Australia all positive.

Flores’ move to Adelaide is subject to a medical and visa clearance, but Reds boss Aurelio Vidmar is confident of the clearances going through and having the talented attacking midfielder’s services.

“We’re hoping he brings a little bit of quality into our attacking third,” Vidmar said.

“He’s certainly got the ability to do that, and Carl (Veart) was very impressed with him when he went over and saw him earlier this year. We tried to sign him then, but unfortunately due to his contract situation it was very difficult, but he has been very keen to come here since then, and we’ve stayed in contact so we’re really pleased that it has happened now.”

At this stage, presuming his medical and visa clearances are successful, United expects to have Flores available for the club’s first match in the Group Stage of the AFC Champions League 2010.

“It’s not easy tracking players but we certainly feel he is that type of playmaker that every club needs,” Vidmar said.

“He can score goals as well so he probably gets half a dozen per season, but he has also got a very good ability to bring players into the game. He has that vision to put the ball in the right spot, and I think he’ll be a handy addition to our team.”

Born and bred in Argentina, Flores came through the junior ranks at Union Santa Fe before joining first division side Newell’s Old Boys at the age of 21, the club known for contributing a host of Argentina national players with previous names including Gabriel Batistuta, Diego Maradona and most recently Lionel Messi.

Known for his exceptional skills and ability to create chances, Flores has the ability to go past players and has a great shot.

Recent results may not have been going Adelaide United’s way of late, but Flores’ imminent arrival and the high regard he is held in is positive news and a significant coup for the club.

Marcos FLORES
Full Name Marcos Abel Flores Benard
DOB 23 October 1985 (Reconquista, Argentina)
Age 24
Position Attacking Midfielder
Height 186cm
Weight 75kg

Club History
2009 Curico Unido (Chile)
2007/08 Union Santa Fe (Argentina)
2006/07 Newell’s Old Boys de Rosario (Argentina)
2003-05 Union Santa Fe (Argentina)

http://www.adelaideunited.com.au/defaul ... y&id=31268

Well hell, we had a win last night!
Not sure where we pulled that one from - but we'll take it.

Dogwatcher wrote:Well hell, we had a win last night!
Not sure where we pulled that one from - but we'll take it.

Cracking piece of worth by Leckie. great little run, held the ball up and then played a peach of a cross onto Barbiero's bonce and that's all that was required.

Leckie is turning into a real gem of a player. Pace, skills and a football brain. I like him.

I do too. He was fantastic last night.

But, again, where was Dodd?