Pirate Galaxy » who recruited Barrett

Western Sydney striker Kerem Bulut was removed from Saturdays A-League squad because hes one of a few players who need to deliver more during training, says coach Tony Popovic.Bulut and Uruguayan midfielder Bruno Pinatares were erased from the matchday line-up just hours before kick-off against Central Coast at Spotless Stadium.Despite suffering from no known fitness issues the 24-year-old, who started the Wanderers first three games, watched the 1-1 draw dressed in a suit from the Spotless Stadium stands.Popovic said the call was a footballing decision just as it was to take out Bruno and, earlier, Shannon Cole.We feel we want more in training, Popovic said.Theyre in the same bracket, whether its Kerem, Shannon, Bruno, other players who didnt make the squad, theres an expectation that we have.Theyre training every day and we want to see more from certain players.Kerem is just in that group.Popovic staunchly denied the surprising omission had anything to do with attitude.I dont think we should say attitude because we dont say attitude about Bruno or Shannon but immediately we say attitude about Kerem Bulut, he said.I dont know why its different.Super-sub Brendon Santalab vindicated Popovics decision to give him a start in place of Bulut, scoring the Wanderers quickest A-League goal with 82 seconds gone.But a commanding start fell away for the home side, undone by frustratingly wasteful finishing and Robbie Cornthwaites costly defensive error that gifted the Mariners a second-half equaliser.It was the clubs second successive failure to convert a lead into victory and leaves last seasons grand finalists in fifth with five points from their first four games before travelling to Perth next weekend.Yet Popovic was encouraged results would come for his notoriously slow starters.Football can be cruel sometimes - you can play well and not get the result you want.We havent got the number of points we want but weve gone three games now without a defeat.The players will keep believing and it will turn ... and we will put someone away soon if we keep playing that way.Popovic also took a positive from the excellent starting debut of marquee playmaker Nicolas Martinez, who was hardworking and a picture of creativity during his hour-long appearance.He was tired in the second half but you expect that, Popovic said.But hell just get better and better ... its just the beginning for him. 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Their 38th instalment is arguably their biggest fight card to date, including three-title fights and a main event which was selected by the fans. The promotion boasts 14-straight years of business and is operated by MFC president Mark Pavelich, who is often overlooked in this country for the foundation hes established for MMA in Canada. COLUMBUS, Ohio -- After Ohio State cruised to a 77-10 victory over Bowling Green in the season opener last Saturday, it stands to reason that coach Urban Meyer would be pretty pleased with the performance.Meyer was happy but not overly impressed with the blowout against the school that gave him his head coaching start.I thought our guys played pretty good. I think it was good, not great, Meyer said.It would be difficult to convince most Buckeyes fans that Ohio State was not great in the Ohio Stadium opener. The point total was the highest in Meyers 15 years as a head coach, and the offense set a school record with 776 total yards.And then there was quarterback J.T. Barrett being named the Big Ten offensive player of the week after passing for 349 yards and six touchdowns and rushing for one score against the Falcons. Those are video-game numbers.But Meyer and the No. 4 Buckeyes are quickly putting that game in the rear-view mirror and turning their attention to Tulsa, the second nonconference opponent on the schedule. The two teams meet for the first time Saturday (3:30 p.m., ABC) at Ohio Stadium.The Golden Hurricane (1-0) are the first of two straight opponents from Oklahoma that the Buckeyes face. The following Saturday, Ohio State goes on the road to take on No. 14 Oklahoma.Tulsa, which plays in the American Athletic Conference, opened its season last week with a 45-10 victory at San Jose State.Meyer is expecting a tougher test from Tulsa than Bowling Green. The Golden Hurricane are coached by former Baylor offensive coordinator Phillip Montgomery, which means Ohio State is preparing to face a wide-open spread attack that mixes passing with a decent running game.I think when you hear spread, its about numbers, Meyer said. So I think that part is similar (to Ohio States offense). ... But the identity is were going to line up and hammer the football and run the ball. And we expect to lead the conference or be close to the lead in rushing offense.I cant speak to what Baylor does. But when you look at Baylor and then Tulsa, theyre very balanced, more balanced than people think. And so I think its somewhat similar. But theere are different fundamental differences to (Ohio States offense).ddddddddddddulsa rushed for 305 yards and totaled 512 yards of offense in its opener. The Golden Hurricane scored 38 straight points in the blowout on the road and their defense limited San Jose State to 287 total yards and forced three turnovers.That means Ohio States offense and defense are preparing for anything and everything this week from a team hungry to upset a national power.Weve got a tough one coming up this week, a team that beat San Jose soundly from the get-go, Meyer said. And very talented receivers, two NFL prospects at wide receiver, a returning veteran at quarterback (Dane Evans) and a D coordinator (Bill Young) who used to coach here at Ohio State. Theyre very sound on defense and do a nice job.Young was Ohio States defensive coordinator from 1988 to 1995 under coach John Cooper, who came to Columbus after serving as Tulsas coach. Youngs defense played well in the opener against San Jose State, but the Golden Hurricane know the Buckeyes are a different animal this week.Its going to be a great challenge for us, especially going up to their place, said Montgomery, who recruited Barrett when he was offensive coordinator at Baylor and the Ohio State quarterback was a standout high school player in Texas. Were looking forward to it. Were going up with the mindset that were going to win the football game.Montgomery promises the Golden Hurricane wont be intimidated by the 105,000-plus fans in Ohio Stadium. Tulsa played at Oklahoma last year and hung with the Sooners before losing 52-38.Theyre the next team on our schedule, Montgomery said. For us, its not about the helmet, not about the shirt, its what you do between the lines.Ohio State goes into the game as a four-touchdown favorite, but will be without defensive tackle Tracy Sprinkle, who underwent surgery Sunday for a torn patellar tendon in a knee. Linebacker Dante Booker is questionable after suffering an MCL sprain in the first quarter against Bowling Green. ' ' '