Asian Cup

[Peter Venkman]

http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/jan/13/asian-cup-daily-swindon-town-bossing-tournament

Asian Cup daily: Swindon Town bossing tournament

[Reg Smeeton]

http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/jan/13/asian-cup-daily-swindon-town-bossing-tournament

So good we needed it twice

[theakston2k]

When you look at the stupid fees paid on the back of World Cup performances for bizarre players that nobody has ever heard of if say Australia do go on and win based on transfer history someone would probably pay a massively inflated fee for Luongo if he was playing for some obscure foreign team.  They would obviously think with us in league 1 the fee should be less but it really does beg the question that if you base his value on past Premier League transfer dealings just what is he worth? It's really difficult to guage as obviously its pretty rare for a league 1 player to make an impact on an international tournament....

[reeves4england]

If Australia win the tournament, teams will struggle to get Luongo to sign before the window shuts as the final is on 30th Jan

[kerry red]

All be done through agents.

I reckon he'll stay until season's end

[Peter Venkman]

If Australia win the tournament, teams will struggle to get Luongo to sign before the window shuts as the final is on 30th Jan

The window is open until 11pm on the 2nd of Feb this year, not sure why its all moved though.

Extra couple of days.

[REDBUCK]

It's open for 30 days. Did it not open on the 3rd  Jan

[Peter Venkman]

It's open for 30 days. Did it not open on the 3rd  Jan

Yes I am aware its open for 30 days but why did it not open on Jan 1st this year?

Its never been on the 3rd Jan before, ever since the January transfer window started in 2002/3.

[Samdy Gray]

Something to do with the FA offices being closed on the 1st and 2nd I think, so no registrations were possible.

[Samdy Gray]

Actually, looks like a FIFA thing. Stupid rules.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2892337/Premier-League-clubs-wait-make-new-signings-transfer-window-opens-Saturday-24-hours-Spain.html

[Peter Venkman]

Something to do with the FA offices being closed on the 1st and 2nd I think, so no registrations were possible.

Cheers I just had not heard any explanation till now.

[Bogus Dave]

Was the 4-1 game mass' first game on Australian soil?

[suttonred]

Yes

[Benzel]

Luongo has been much better at tackling this season. He's much stronger and is riding a lot of challenges that he would have lost possession from last year.

[Bennyh]

The Sydney Morning Herald is a subscription newspaper...but I think you can view a limited number of articles.

Australian Journalism talks Swindon Town !

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/swindon-town--unlikely-supplier-of-asian-cup-stars-20150114-12nvws.html

Response to further questions. Yep, I was at the game last night. A good performance by our boys, so alas, I don't think Loungo will be home soon.

Also, I know there has been transfer talk and value, and while he is getting a lot of media attention here, but the larger more cashed up clubs would be very nervous to take on a player, that as yet has yet to prove himself at higher level. In fact a club winning games at the top of the league one, heading to the Championship is probably the right level for him.

Let it be known, most are talking up Japan and Australia for the Asia Cup. I'm keeping a close eye on Iran. A team that very nearly beat Argentina in Brazil.