Find out what the press has been saying about Melbourne Heart FC over the last few days.
Find out what the press has been saying about Melbourne Heart FC over the last few days.
Herald Sun
Melbourne Heart captain Fred ready to play 90 minutes against Newcastle
Grantley Bernard, November 9
A HAMSTRING injury and a winless start to the season have made Melbourne Heart captain Fred an unhappy and frustrated man. But, with the hamstring repaired, the playmaker is confident he can do something about finally getting a win on the board. After coming off the bench for the last 35 minutes of the 1-1 draw at Adelaide United, the Brazilian is aiming to start on Saturday against Newcastle Jets at AAMI Park and get through the 90 minutes. Bottom of the A-League table with two losses and three draws, it is imperative Heart finds a winning groove quickly or finals hopes will vanish by mid-season. Fred is sure the players’ work ethic and enthusiasm will ensure the team’s fortunes take a turn for the better sooner rather than later.
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The Age
I’m right, says Fred, as Heart chases first win
Stathi Paxinos, November 9
MELBOURNE Heart captain Fred has declared he is fit enough to play the full game against Newcastle as the bottom-placed team holds to the belief that its first win of the season is just around the corner. The Heart remains the only winless team after five rounds, having struggled to find the finishing touch up front and giving up late goals. But its cause has not been helped by Fred missing two games with a hamstring injury. He came off the bench in the second half of last weekend’s 1-1 draw against Adelaide and he yesterday declared he was ready to start this weekend. The strain was ”much better” and he had pulled up well after the game despite being a ”little tired”.
The Age
Heart grooming Babalj as power striker
Michael Lynch, November 7
MELBOURNE Heart is set to try to solve its striking woes from within rather than in the transfer market by rushing back teenage forward Eli Babalj for next Saturday night’s home game with the high-flying Newcastle Jets, who are second on a congested A-League table. Having been knocked back by former Dutch international Jan Vennegoor, of Hesselink,c oach John van’t Schip is likely to recall Babalj, at least as an option off the substitutes’ bench. The 187-centimetre Bosnian-born 19-year-old suffered a medial ligament injury during pre-season training, having just come back from a lengthy absence after he fractured his femur. Only now is he reaching the sort of fitness levels which could make him a possible A-League starter. Babalj played 30 minutes last week in the Heart youth team and 45 minutes (in which he scored a goal) at the weekend, so he could be worth a place in the squad for the Jets match, Heart football manager John Didulica said yesterday.
Herald Sun
Melbourne Heart set to miss more players
Grantley Bernard, November 6
MELBOURNE Heart’s efforts to end its winless start to the A-League season could be hampered by more disruption to its line-up. A red card to defender Simon Colosimo means he will miss Saturday’s game against Newcastle Jets, while Aziz Behich, Mate Dugandzic and Jason Hoffman are set for Olyroos call-ups that will absent them from the following two games against Gold Coast United and Central Coast Mariners. Adding to Heart’s frustrations is the lack of a striker with a cutting-edge finish, relying on young defender Brendan Hamill for a long-range goal to provide the lead during Friday night’s 1-1 draw away to Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium. Trying to get a settled line-up has been a key for last-placed Heart, which has now drawn three straight games after opening the season with two losses, but injuries, international call-ups and suspensions have and will continue to provide problems for coach John van’t Schip.
