by marcusopp »
01 Jan 2013 08:35
gezza Hi guys, I have been somewhat of a long term lurker on this forum (mostly to check on how Fedders has been going). I felt the need to join and contribute to this thread as I feel I am well placed to comment on Tom Rogic. Just as a little background, I have been following English Football for 25 years and currently work for a very well known football publication in Australia.
A few things I'd like to clear up, firstly regarding the A-League and where it sits in terms of quality in comparison the English Leagues. Generally the level of football is considered to be that of League One with the top 3 clubs (one of which Tom plays for) at mid to low championship level. The first 5 or so seasons I would have had it at League 2 (maybe even lower) but the quality has improved incredibly over the past 2 and a half seasons. I'm sorry to inform you, (and with all due respect to the great man) Emile Heskey would not rate in the top 25 players in the A-League.
Tom Rogic would be in the top 5 players in the A-League. He was only signed to his first pro contract a little over 12 months a go and has been quite simply a revelation. Some of you well connected to your club will know that Reading attempted to sign Tom shortly after he beat tens of thousands of young players to win 'The Chance' competition and was invited to the nike Football Academy, declaring him as one of the best eight unsigned young footballers in the world. You may have seen glimpses of his incredible close control which has been widely attributed to his futsal background. Last season Rogic went from strength to strength. He started as a youngster making cameos off the bench and finished as one of the Mariners key players in the premiership team. This season he has been their best player. He recently made his international debut against South Korea coming off the bench and changing the game (which Australia went on to win). This appearance meant that he would be the first player to represent Australia in both the indoor and outdoor versions of the game.
In terms of playing style Rogic is big and strong but highly skilful with the ball at his feet. He is a good long range shot and has banged in some sensational goals. He will need to continue to develop his game and his fitness to be up to PL level but if you manage to sign him it will be an excellent long term acquisition. I would rate him as good as, if not better than the two best young Australian players to come out of the A-League so far in Tommy Oar and Robbie Kruse. Tommy has been Utrecht's best player this season and was at one point leading the Erevesdie player of the year count. Robbie Kruse has been tearing up the Bundesliga.
Rogic will probably cost less the 500K as his deal expires in the northern summer. I know if i were a Reading fan I would be quite happy with this bit of business.
Good luck with the relegation fight!
Gezza
Cheers mate, always good to get some proper info once in a while!
You don't need to be sorry for how crap heskey is, we already know!
Aussies have always taken sport very seriously, which is why you tend to be very good at your chosen disciplines, of which football (not soccer!) is now one.
I totally believe that your league is constantly improving, but it'll probably plateau soon as you're not in europe (no champions league etc), which means your best players Rogic for example, will head into the northern hemisphere.
PS, Fedders is doing just fine, but the folks on here tend to be 'cup's half empty' kind of people, so don't read too much into any negative sh1t you see on here.
I just assumed he was doing quite well being tied 3rd top scorer and all
