Update from Melbourne (Australia, A-League)

First of all, I would like to apologise for my delay on publishing a new blog. Many things have happened in the last few months at Melbourne Heart FC.

Let’s put them in the order right now.

VIDEO: The News from Nus Ep3

In Episode 3 of the News from Nus, Melbourne Heart FC Assistant Coach Gerard Nus speaks about the Melbourne Derby on Saturday 21 December and his derby experience with Liverpool FC.

Click play on the video below to watch Episode 3 of The News from Nus.

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/melbourneheart/news-display/VIDEO-The-News-from-Nus-Ep3/81384

"The A-League keeps on going and the World Cup is coming” by Gerard Nus

Please note: This blog was written and published on December 9th (Spanish version)

We are taking advantage of this new blog to comment on how the Australian League is going and the interesting draw of the World Cup that by chance has joined Spain, Chile, Netherlands and the Aussies in the same group. 

Q&A: The News from Nus

In this week's 'The News from Nus', Melbourne Heart FC Assistant Coach Gerard Nus fields questions on a range of current topics in world football, including the recent World Cup 2014 draw, cultural differences between leagues and more.

VIDEO: The News from Nus Ep2

In Episode 2 of 'The News from Nus', Melbourne Heart FC Assistant Coach Gerard Nus talks about his passion for football, his career in Spain, England and Korea and how he hopes to utilise his experience at Melbourne Heart.

"5 Tips for the physical preparation in football" by Jordi Jodar (former fitness coach at Gimnastic de Tarragona, Spanish 2n B division team)

As a sport lover, I have concentrated my training in football, especially in terms of fitness preparation. If we want to be a part of the training staff at a high level, we must know all of the different aspects of this sport; everyone has to be specialist in their own field.

"A-League analysis" by Brett Taylor (Technology and Information Officer Melbourne Heart FC)

Firstly I would like to thank Gerard for inviting me to write for his blog. Like him, I'm a new addition to the Melbourne Heart football department this season. The two of us have formed a good partnership because I can answer all Gerard's questions about the players and teams in the A-League and he can share with me his many stories and lessons from football clubs around the world.

VIDEO: The News from Nus

In an exclusive interview, Melbourne Heart FC assistant coach Gerard Nus reflects on his time in Australia, his experiences in Europe and urges fans to support the Club as it looks to emerge from its current position.

"Step by step" by Gerard Nus

League

The A-League is going quickly now as we are in the second month of competition. We have already played five games and the teams are starting to position themselves in the table and define their playing style and their virtues.

"Welcome to Australia" by Gerard Nus

Without any doubts, this blog should be dedicated to Australia and Melbourne Heart FC, where I’m fortunate to work as assistant coach for John Aloisi.

“It’s so hard to be a football coach” by Andrea Orlandi (Brighton & Hove Albion FC player)

Dear Gerard,

Because of the friendship that we share and the fact that I love your idea of ​​creating a web page, I’d be delighted to write a few lines sharing my thoughts on what it is to be a football coach and what this means for a professional footballer such as myself. My perspective is that of someone with personal experience who understands just how difficult a job it is, even more so now since I started studying for my coaching badges in the UK two years ago.

An overview of African soccer by Ivan Piñol (Technical Director, Samuel Eto'o Fils development school, Gabon)

The following represents an overview of African football, specifically Gabonese soccer in terms of amateur, professional and development levels.

Why do South Korean teams dominate the Asian Champions League? by Tim Alper (Tim writes for South Korea’s leading football monthly, Best Eleven)

Since the Asian Champions League’s inception in 1967, albeit under a different moniker, South Korean clubs have made the final 16 times. The club which has won the most titles is Korean, and two Korean clubs have won the cup and then gone on successfully defended their titles - something which not even the mightiest of European clubs has managed in the Champions League.

Winds of change by Begoña Pérez (Spanish Correspondent and Sports Journalist)

Until recently, Stoke City was known as the ‘King of shooting’ - they played the most direct football in the Premier League and, although it was unattractive for spectators, it proved effective when it came to achieving their aims of avoiding relegation. 

Features of the Portuguese national team's methods by João Aroso (Portugal National Team Fitness Coach)

As a coach working for a national football team, I know that the context of the job is clearly distinguishable from that at your average football club. 

Notes about Womens’ Spanish Football by Alfonso Matamoros (Levante UD Ladies Manager)

In many countries men’s and women’s football are not recognised as equals, in some only men’s football exists, in others the female category exists on a small scale. There are countries where women’s foorball is steadily progressing, but only in a few does it receive real recognition and is followed by the media and fans. My own experience brings me to describe the model that exists in Spain: what is women’s football like there?

Mid-Season - Winter break by João Carvalho (Boavista FC Assistant Coach)

During an extended period of competition, top flight players can be prone to suffer from fatigue - the number of games that are played at top level is between 50 and 60 per season.  On top of exhaustion from the physical pressure of the game and the length of the season, these players are subject to emotional pressure due to the huge media attention the sport receives. 

Finding the balance: adaptation and revolution by Gerard Nus

When a coach arrives at a club, it is usually, in the vast majority of cases, to make changes and bring new ideas to a project that isn’t living up to its full potential.

One sport, different points of view by Juan Ferrando (Youth team coach at Malaga FC)

After having the experience of working in football in different countries, I would define the sport as an art. An abstract art in which everyone involved, every spectator sees a canvas; upon which they see a different painting.

Intelligent footballers & Training activities by Gerard Nus

What are intelligent footballers?

Intelligent footballers are those who are capable of making the best decision in any given situation: a player that plays short balls when necessary, one who controls the ball before playing it instead of heading it aimlessly; definitively, the player who is aware of his strengths and weaknesses and whose play is dictated by different factors in the game (his team mates, opponents, the score line, minutes remaining, if players have been sent off or sanctioned, pressure from the supporters...)