447 replies to this topic

[LR9]

He is the number one target at the club.

He has visited MHFC in the past few days.

The club views him as its No.6 and they will shift Go-Hard to CB to replace the loses of Hamill and Good.

Hopefully he can stay on the park.

Edited by LR9, 22 July 2012 - 10:37 PM.

[Jimmy]

Tasty stuff.

[Tesla]

You should add the source is SEN. Dont really listen to them, how reliable are they generally?

Better than all the no source or unknown websites or wiki that get posted around here I guess for half the rumours.

[nicotera5]

excited.

[Braveheart]

SEN are generally very reliable as they seldom try to break stories that aren't already officially confirmed.

[Jake]

hmmm. So LR9, is SEN your source? I rate your posts. I wouldn't expect pure rumours from you. How would we afford?

How the tide of forum discontent should turn if this actually happens (unless his horrendous run of injuries continues and he barely plays a game - but I guess that's why he is here).

Edited by Jake, 22 July 2012 - 10:51 PM.

[HeartMillsy29]

SEN are generally very reliable as they seldom try to break stories that aren't already officially confirmed.

Can't say that for their AFL rumours. One person calls in and BAM! They talk about it all day.

[salzy]

Vinnie Grella in the house.

remember an interview with him and Les Muarry during the 06 world cup.

fuck me, he is very stupid.

[Sash]

The main concern might be his injury history? Not sure he's played much football in the last couple of years. I'll have to check with Wikipedia. If he can stay injury free, he should be good.

And I like the things that long time Socceroos like Aloisi, Skoko and Grella can bring into the club: the knowledge they can pass on to the younger players, public recognition, and of course what they can deliver on the pitch. The experience and knowledge they can bring in is really valuable. I agree though, he doesn't sound like no rocket scientist.

[Tesla]

Vinnie Grella in the house.

remember an interview with him and Les Muarry during the 06 world cup.

fuck me, he is very stupid.

fucking this lol. I remember an interview with him as well, probably the same one, guy is semi-retarded. Lucky he is a good footballer, otherwise he wouldnt have amounted to much in life.

Edited by Tesla, 22 July 2012 - 10:49 PM.

[LR9]

I'll have to check with Wikipedia.

Lol.

[Murfy1]

Grella is like Jason Culina to me. A pretty good player if he's not injured.... The concern I have about signing Grella is that he'll miss more games than Fred did last season.

The merit of signing Grella also depends upon how good a CB Gerhardt makes. He could be a really good CB for all I know, but the club definitely signed him as a midfielder, and it doesn't show impressive planning if Heart are converting a DM who has only been around for a few weeks into a CB.

I'm weary as well that Aloisi is bringing in an old Socceroos buddy, rather than more objectively building a top squad. We already have impressive DMs in Gerhardt and Germano, so signing Grella over a CB seems questionable.


Always good to have a seasoned Socceroo. If we sign him hopefully the price is reasonable (I recall Grella asking for a lot to play in the A-League) and he stays injury free.

[Sash]

We already have impressive DMs in Gerhardt and Germano, so signing Grella over a CB seems questionable.

True, we might not have much choice. Apart from Lucas Neil, there doesn't seem to be many experienced ready-made uncontracted Australian CB's available. Gerhardt might be the best option we've got right now even though he was recruited mainly as a DM.

If current rumours are true, and the lack of involvement from Christian7 makes me think they might be, our CB's will be Colosimo, Gerhardt, Gray and Vrankovic. That looks pretty good - more depth and experience than last year. Our first chioce midfielders could be Fred, Grella, Germano, and Thompson - that looks strong if they stay injury free. With Tadic and Dugandzic up front, the squad is starting to look almost complete.

Edited by Sash, 22 July 2012 - 11:24 PM.

[Murfy1]

True, we might not have much choice. Apart from Lucas Neil, there doesn't seem to be many experienced ready-made uncontracted Australian CB's available. Gerhardt might be the best option we've got right now even though he was recruited mainly as a DM.

If we sign David Vrankovic as well I'll fully be on board with signing Grella.

I'll admit I haven't seen much of Grella at all. If he can provide some 'on-field coaching' in midfield and distribute the ball well, then he'll be a top signing.

[Jimmy]

FWIW, Gerhardt plays CB for Liberia

[Murfy1]

Gerhardt has played twice for Liberia. Also, I'm not sure you could say he has excelled as a CB for Liberia, with him committing a costly error in the qualifier against Senegal: (at 4:00 into the video).

Maybe that error was an exception, I don't know. But he doesn't have a lot of experience as a CB.

[Jimmy]

But he doesn't have a lot of experience as a CB.

How do you know this? My understanding was that he has played primarily as a CB.

[MPM]

This is fresh from the Heart twitter account

@MelbourneHeart: We will announce a new player signing tomorrow morning. Stay tuned! #goheart

Hopefully it's Grella, another reason to be excited is his relationship with Bresciano, if Grella signs it makes it even more likely that Bresc will eventually.

[heart_fan10]

How do you know this? My understanding was that he has played primarily as a CB.

mine as well

[LR9]

Just FWIW, in the past 3 years he has played just 1549 minutes in all competitions, due to 4-5 separate injuries.

Thats 30 games at an average of 51 minutes per games.

Would you really like to have this bloke tying up a spot on the roster and $350-500k?

Edited by LR9, 22 July 2012 - 11:57 PM.

[Murfy1]

Most of the club football I've seen him play in youtube clips he was a DM. Heart signed him after stating a "midfield enforcer" was their number one priority (http://www.footballa...-Priority/47261). Also, upon signing him the article on Heart's website wrote:


While primarily a defensive midfielder, Head Coach John Aloisi was impressed by Swiss-born Gerhardt’s versatility, with his ability to also play anywhere across the back four likely to make him a key asset for Heart during the upcoming season.
“Patrick will bring a lot to the Club. Defensive midfield is the position we see him most suited to, but he’s versatile. He can win the ball, but he can also play the ball out of the back,” Aloisi said.

http://www.footballa...ins-Heart/47881

Maybe I'm just a little bit weary after the mixed results Matt Thompson achieved at CB. Anyway, like I said, If we sign David Vrankovic there will be 4 CBs in Gerhardt, Colosimo, Gray and Vrankovic. I would prefer having those 4 (or another proper CB in place of Vrankovic). IMO that would make a very good squad into an excellent squad.

Edited by Murfy1, 22 July 2012 - 11:53 PM.

[mus-28]

I'd imagine a move to the A-League will prolong Grella's career due to the 1 game per week scheduling, the warmer weather and the slower pace of the game. The same thing happened with Fowler and Kewell, with both being relatively injury free during thier stays.

It's highly unlikely that he has many potential suitors in Europe having completely gone off the radar since his move to Blackburn, the best he could hope for would be a Serie B or Championship contract and I doubt that will tempt him having played at the top level for so long.

[christian7]

Called this a couple of months back. I might get my first prediction right. everyone get around me WOOOOOO

[borris]

Called this a couple of months back. I might get my first prediction right. everyone get around me WOOOOOO

Got that crack fixed in your crystal ball then

[Peter]

Got that crack fixed in your crystal ball then

"Christian 7 - Now sponsored by Selleys"

[borris]

"Christian 7 - Now sponsored by Selleys"

Nah - O'Brian's
LOL

[biancorosso7]

If he signs, I hope that half of Lygon St will become red and white, and further, they buy memberships and turn up to matches.

We can only hope.

[Che]

lmao just watched an interview with Vince Grella. His thickness is priceless.

Edited by Che, 23 July 2012 - 10:29 AM.

[Tesla]

Judging by the intellect of the average poster around here, Vince Grella should become a fan favourite in no time.

[Baresi]

Do not want.