A-League - Two massive blows but the show must go on

The second season of Australia’s A League is now in full swing with Football Federation Australia officials hoping to build on last season’s success with the added help of the wave of public enthusiasm following the Socceroos heroic performance at the 2006 World Cup.

However, during the first three weeks of this season’s competition we have already seen FFA Chief Executive Officer John O’Neill hand in his notice to Chairman Frank Lowy, and if that was not a big enough blow to such a fledgling operation the A-League’s star import, Dwight Yorke, has been forced to leave Sydney FC and his soon to arrive Lamborghini and move back to the UK with Roy Keane’s Sunderland.  I think it is safe to say that this was not the start to A-league Version 2 that everybody wanted.

Nevertheless, below is a look at the 8 teams who will compete in Version 2 and strive to make it the raging success that the first season proved to be.

Adelaide United

Minor premiers last time out and winners of the pre-season competition, John Kosmina’s solid unit will again be one of the top contenders.

The club has pulled out all the stops to regain the services of former Chinese international Shengqing Qu, who looked lost to these shores after initially returning home following the end of last season.

The addition of former Celtic winger Bobby Petta should also add some width to the Adelaide attack.

Kosi certainly knows how to get the best out of his players and will ensure his team fights out every game for the 90 minutes.

Central Coast Mariners

Mariners boss Lawrie McKinna must take a massive amount of credit for transforming his squad into the force that were unlucky not to finish as inaugural winners. The Mariners have looked good in pre-season but one wonders if they can repeat last season’s heroics.

The loss of defensive duo Michael Beauchamp and Dean Heffernan to Nurnberg is a big blow, however the addition of the experienced Tony Vidmar to the ranks will go a long way to filling the void.

If McKinna and his staff can get the long term injury plagued duo of Nick Merger and John Hutchinson fit and firing strong local support should keep the fans coming through the turnstiles and ensure the ‘Marinators’ and the club should again be good enough for a finals place.

Melbourne Victory

Victory coach Ernie Merrick has recruited in fine style during the off season and the return of Archie Thompson from PSV alongside the introduction of Brazilian trio, Fred, Claudinho and Alessandro, has the Melbournian faithful very excited about their season’s prospects.
 
The pressure will be on Melbourne to improve on last season’s disappointing showing, as FFA officials know how crucial a successful Melbourne side is to the vibrancy of the national competition.

If Merrick intends on keeping his job next term finals football is a must this time out and they have the squad to achieve this target.

New Zealand Knights

Last season’s whipping boys have performed a massive post season clear out and are looking for a much improved outfit under the guidance of new boss Paul Nevin.

The former Fulham coach has been brought in to save a sinking ship and all indicators suggest that he is up to the task.

Early performances have shown a marked improvement and it looks like the Knights will gain a greater points tally than the paltry effort of last season.

However, I still think they will find the going tough and again look likely to be at the wrong end of the table.

Newcastle Jets

After finally securing a coaching position in Australia’s elite competition two-time NSL championship winning coach Nick Theodorakopolous looks to be right up against it.

Even though there’s no doubting Theo’s credentials, he may not have the tools at his disposal to make a big impact due to a delayed recruitment drive brought about by the Ned Zelic contractual saga.

The Jets will struggle up front to find the goals to win matches and will also struggle to keep them out at the other end.  I fear this will result in them missing a finals berth.

Perth Glory

Following a very disappointing inaugural season in Australia’s top flight the Members Equity faithful will be demanding improvement this time out. Is Ron Smith the man for the job?  Early sign’s would say that he is although time will tell if their delayed recruitment campaign, will cost them over the season.

The signing of Stan Lazaridis will hopefully win back the public that once made this club the envy of all in Australia and the veteran still posses a few tricks to play a leading role.

The club should improve on last season’s showing but will be doing well if they snatch a finals berth. A season of rebuilding and winning back the local public appear the more likely targets.

Queensland Roar

The Roar has kicked off in great form with coach Miron Bleiberg under pressure to perform after a disappointing sixth place result last season.

The loss of attacking talent Alex Brosque is a major blow, with the scoring burden now passed on to ex-Celtic player Simon Lynch and former Socceroo Ante Milicic.

On their day, the Roar can play some scintilating football, but the time has come for an improvement in the side’s consistency.

Sydney FC

Even though Dwight Yorke has left our shores for the North East of England leaving a massive void in the Sydney FC dressing room, the squad is still the best in the competition ‘on paper’.

Last season’s premiers have recruited former England skipper Terry Butcher as their new manager and have strengthened with the signings of Jeremy Brockie and Alex Brosque, from New Zealand and Queensland respectively.

The emergence of Mark Milligan as a star of the future, the midfield creativity of Steve Corica and the attacking talents of David Carney and Sasho Petrovski will ensure that Butcher has a solid core to build his team around.

Anything short of a Grand Final appearance will be deemed a failure.


By Richard Williams