Transfers :- Great to see some very positive transfers occurring, none moreso than three young Aussies transferring to the EPL.  Players have moved around a lot in Europe, with our first players now in Austria after that market has been lacking an Aussie presence for a few years.  Also “new” on the map is Thailand, and the number of players calling Korea home has surged to eight. With the leagues in Indonesia having now resumed, plenty of player movement there.

Additions/changes to database: -
Scott Baginski (28 Feb 1983) - transferred to Air Force United, Thailand

Nedim Basic (3 Sep 1993) - transferred to Wuppertaler SV Borussia, Germany

Eddy Bosnar (29 Apr 1980) - transferred to Suwon Bluewings, Korea

Kerem Bulut (2 Mar 1992) - transferred to Eskisehirspor, Turkey

Nathan Burns (7 May 1988) - transferred to Incheon United, Korea

Richie Cardozo (28 Mar 1986) - transferred to LASK Linz, Austria

Aaron Downes (15 May 1985) - loan to Bristol Rovers, England

Dean Evans (7 May 1990) - transferred to Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong

Giancarlo Gallifuoco (12/1/94) - transferred to Tottenham, England

Scott Gannon (12 Mar 1988) - transferred to Amicale FC, Vanuatu (O-League)

Ran Gazet du Chattelier (17 Feb 1991) - transferred to Stuttgart Kickers II, Germany

Andreas Govas (21 Jul 1989) - transferred to Troyes, France

Joel Griffiths (21 Aug 1979) - transferred to Shanghai Shenhua, China

Steve Hesketh (15 Dec 1988) - transferred to Arema (ISL), Indonesia

James Holland (15 May 1989) - transferred to Austria Wien, Austria

Danny Invincibile (31 Mar 1979) - transferred to Army United, Thailand

Josip Konyit (29 Apr 1992) - transferred to NK Vrapce, Croatia

Steven Lustica (12 Apr 1991) - loaned to NK Dugopolje, Croatia

Josh Maguire (22 Sep 1980) - transferred to Bontang FC, Indonesia

Matthew Mayora (10 Mar 1986) - transferred to Shillong Latong, India

Srecko Mitrovic (19 Feb 1984) - transferred to Shenzen Ruby, China

Jade North (7 Jan 1982) - transferred to Consadole Sapporo, Japan

Matthew Park (22 Apr 1988) - loan return to Hearts, Scotland

Andy Rose (13 Feb 1990) - transferred to Sounders FC, USA

Naum Sekulovski (14 May 1982) - transferred to Persema Malang, Indonesia

Peter Skapetis (13 Jan 1995) - transferred to Queens Park Rangers, England

Robert Stambolziev (26 Oct 1990) - transferred to AO Thrasyvoulos Fylis, Greece

Goran Subara (4 Apr 1987) - transferred to Balestier Khalsa, Singapore

Aleks Vrteski (28 Sep 1988) - transferred to Persija Jakarta, Indonesia

Ryan Williams (28 Oct 1993) - transferred to Fulham, England

Ricky Zucco (2 Sep 1990) - transferred to Team Wellington, New Zealand

Removed from database:-
Fred Agius (2 Feb 1984) - released from Cendrawasih FC, Indonesia

Julius Doe Davies (4 Sep 1994) - transferred to Melbourne Victory

Dean Heffernan (19 May 1980) - transferred to Perth Glory

Daniel Leach (1 May 1986) - retired from football

Doug Lindberg (27 Mar 1988) - transferred to Sleaford Town, England (non-league)

Andrew Maclean (TBC) - released from Hamilton Academicals, Scotland

Mark McGough (14 Mar 1988) - released from Balestier Khalsa, Singapore

David Micevski (25 Feb 1986) - released from Solo FC, Indonesia

Simon Storey (5 June 1982) - released from Mohun Bagan, India

Daniel Wilkinson (TBC) - released from Cendrawasih FC, Indonesia

Club Level:-
England (Premier League) – The best performing Aussie recently is Tim Cahill.  He has managed to break his season duck and Everton have climbed to tenth.  He has not set the world on fire, but Schwarzer, Grella and Herd are all in the medical rooms. Fulham and Villa have been inconsistent, while Blackburn sit in the bottom three after an average festive season.

England (Championship) – the results have not been that great for Middlesbrough of late, but Scott McDonald certainly found his scoring boots.  He managed to add another 5 goals to his scoring tally over the past months but has suffered an untimely injury.  Also performing well is team mate Rhys Williams.  Rumoured to be a big dollar target over January, he has stayed with Boro.  Importantly he has made 28 appearances so far this term, suggesting his injuries are behind him.  Another hoping to put injury behind him is Richie Garcia.  He has returned to a Hull City team that sits just outside the playoffs, but he is yet to be restored to the starting eleven.  Adam Federici has been reliable yet again as Reading have pushed up the table, while Mile Jedinak’s Crystal Palace are going in the opposite direction.  Both Neil Kilkenny (Bristol City) and Shane Lowry (Millwall) find themselves just out of the relegation places but will be hoping for some quick points to avoid a tense end to the season.

England (League One) – from an Aussie perspective, all about Cisak, Wesolowski and Bouzanis at Oldham Athletic.  Unfortunately, another up and down month now sees the boys in the bottom half of the table, but a congested bunch mid table means they can climb quickly with the games they have in hand.

England (League Two) – Shrewsbury Town (Shane Cansdell-Sheriff) remain in the hunt for automatic promotion, while the loan deal for Aaron Downes (Bristol Rovers) seems to be paying dividends with the team climbing clear of the relegation spots.

Italy (Serie B) – the top three teams are fighting out a great battle for the two automatic promotion places.  Carl Valeri’s Sassuolo currently are second, however every win matters at this stage.

Italy (Serie C2) – four straight wins for FC Catanzaro (Christian Esposito) has seen them push into the playoff positions and still a reasonable chance of automatic promotion. Christian continues in the starting eleven.

Germany (Bundesliga) – A rare recent start for Mitch Langerak in a Dortmund side that are flirting will the league lead. A fantastic month for Monchengladbach (Leckie) as they have climbed to within reach of a Champions League place.  Hertha Berlin have had a very poor few months and have dropped into relegation danger.  Nikita Rukavytsya is just returning from an injury break.

Germany (2. Bundesliga) – Fortuna Dusseldorf have certainly got the shakes at the top of the table.  Robbie Kruse has not featured much recently, would be great to see him play a role in the chase for promotion.

Netherlands (Eredivsie) – AZ certainly do have the shakes, letting the league lead slip. Brett Holman has been the centre of transfer speculation in January, but now nothing has come of that, hopefully he can lead his team to the title in Holland.  FC Utrecht have not been in sparkling form but fortunately the teams below them are not putting any pressure on them. The three Aussies (Oar, Zullo, Sarota) are predominately used from the bench at the moment. 

Scotland (Premier) – the story from an Aussie perspective is all about Ryan McGowan.   He is back in the starting eleven, scored his first senior goal and helped Hearts climb to fourth on the table.  Aaron Mooy (St.Mirren) is getting limited minutes after an injury interupted early season, but Matt McKay is still to get a look in at Rangers.  Who have slipped behind fierce rivals Celtic in the race for the league title.

Scotland (Second division) – Arbroath still sit just behind Cowdenbeath as they chase automatic promotion.  Beau Busch has now played over a 1000 minutes this campaign.

Greece (Super League) – PAOK have moved to third on the table, however Apostolis Giannou is yet to make a huge impact, coming on as a substitute in all his appearances.

Greece (Football League) – Robert Stambolziev scored in his debut after coming off the bench.  Thrasyvoulos have certainly had a good month, but many more points will be needed to avoid relegation.

Greece (Football League Two) - Paniliakos now led the league comfortably with young Christos Tomaras making a significant contribution.

Turkey (Super Lig) – After putting a pay dispute behind him, James Troisi has hit a bit of a purple patch in terms of scoring as Kayserispor climb the table. 

Portugal (Liga de Honra) – After an amazing start to the season, Atletico CP (Caleb Patterson-Sewell) have come back to earth.  Nothing more evident of this than a recent 5-0 lost to new leaders, Estoril. 

Switzerland (Super League) – now back on top of the table, Basel are on winter break but Scott Chipperfield has returned to the starting line up.

Wales (Preimer League) - entering the second half of the season, Bala Town (Mark Pullman) find themselves in the Championship group.

Japan (J League) – the competion came to a close in December with Nagoya Grampus finishing second after a slow start, just a point shy of Kashima Reysol.  Josh Kennedy claimed his second Golden Boot in successive seasons. Our Aussies have had great seasons.
Josh Kennedy - 2790 minutes, 19 goals
Eddy Bosnar - 2835 minutes, 5 goals (transferred to Korea)
Alex Brosque - 2556 minutes, 7 goals
Matt Spiranovic - 2080 minutes, 0 goals

Japan (J2 League) – FC Tokyo (Jade North) won the title and promotion.  Not sure if we will have an Aussies in J2 next season.
Jade North - 250 minutes, 0 goals
Mark Milligan - 2517 minutes, 1 goal

U.A.E. (UFL) – Al Nasr have been the big movers on late, led by none other than Mark Bresciano.  He has played every minute of his ten starts, and managed to scored seven goals at the same time.  From memory he was taking time out for the national team, not retiring.  Will see if his name pops up in the next few months. The older boys obviously like the conditions as Lucas Neill has also played every minute in his 12 starts and scored three goals in the process. 

India (I-League) – Tolgey Olzbey (East Begal) has contributed nine goals as his team now sit third on the table.  Close behind is Daniel Zelleny’s Mohun Bagan. 

Hong Kong (HKFA 1st) - having just resumed after Chinese New Year, Karl Dodd’s TSW Pegasus are running second.  Not so successful for Sun Hei (Milovanovic), Tuen Huen (Vekic) or Sham Shui Po (Evans) who are all in the bottom half of the table.

New Zealand (Premiership) – still leading the Golden Boot is Aussie George Slefendorfas (Canterbury United) as his side closes in on Auckland City. 

Injuries:- As teams return for a mid season break for many, will be interesting to see who has managed to shake off injury. Recent additions to the walking wounded are Patrick Kisnorbo (knee), Scott McDonald (knee), Mark Schwarzer (back), Chris Herd (ankle), Bradden Inman (knee) and Matthew Park (knee).  The casualities are mounting.

Club Competitions:-
Europe
(UEFA Champions League) Scott Chipperfield (Basel) has progressed, while Mitchell Langerak (Dortmund) was eliminated. 
(UEFA Europa League) Brett Holman (AZ) has progressed, while Mark Schwarzer was eliminated.

Asia
(AFC Champions League) No fixtures.

(AFC Cup) No fixtures.

Youth:- Fairly quite as most youth leagues took a break over Christmas/New Year. Reece Caira featured recently in the “NextGen Series”.

National level :- No fixtures to report, but plenty coming up!!