A-League Season Preview - Part 1
The A-League returns this weekend with 10 teams vying for the illustrious title. Check out 7sport.com.au's season preview and predictions.
Brisbane Roar
Coach: John Aloisi
Captain: Matt McKay
Ins: Jamie Mclaren, Corona
Outs: Andrija Kaluderovic, George Lambadaridis, Adam Sarota, Kofi Danning, Ben Litfin, Lachlan Jackson, Luke Brattan
Positives: Jamie Mclaren is a fantastic acquisition along with Spanish midfielder Corona who will add another attacking dimension to their game alongside stalwart Thomas Broich.
The Roar showed what they can do against quality opposition when they hit the lead against English Premier League side Liverpool before going down 3-1.
Negatives: Since the Liverpool loss they had failed to score in three friendlies against A-League opposition before a 3-1 win over the Central Coast Mariners.
Only two new signings coupled with the loss of Luke Brattan, the Roar may struggle to reach the top six.
Predicted finish – 7th
Wellington Phoenix
Coach: Ernie Merrick
Captain: Andrew Durante
Ins: Blake Powell, Jeffrey Sarpong, James McGarry, Logan Rogerson
Out: Michael Boxall, Tyler Boyd, Jason Hicks, Josh Brindall-South, Kenny Cunningham, Nathan Burns
Positives: Coach Ernie Merrick will be hoping NPL NSW leading goalscorer and former Sydney FC marksman Blake Powell can replace Nathan Burns as quickly as possible.
The Nix will definitely be difficult to beat in windy Wellington.
Negatives: The loss of striker Nathan Burns will be the heaviest burden to deal with after the Socceroos representative joined FC Tokyo after scoring 13 goals last term.
Winning away from home will be a test, plus a lack of any real depth may make it too difficult to finish in the top six again.
Predicted finish- 8th
Central Coast Mariners
Coach: Tony Walmsley
Captain: Nick Montgomery
Ins: Roy O’Donovan, Mitchell Austin, Josh Bingham, Jake McGing, Paul Izzo, Harry Ascroft, Daniel Heffernan
Outs: Zac Anderson, Brent Griffiths, John Hutchinson, Mitchell Duke, Travis Major, Richard Vernes, Matt Simon, Zac Cairncross, Dejan Pandurevic, Tom Slater, Isaka Cernak, Hayden Morton, Matthew Nash
Positives: New coach Tony Walmsley told 7sport.com.au his chargers have worked on an attacking style of football with the aim of filling Central Coast Stadium.
“The club has established itself with a culture that really punches above its weight and has done exceptional thing,” he said.
“The shift is in redefining the club as an entertainment platform, which means we need to go out with a bold playing style. That includes high tempo, high pressing and giving players the freedom to express themselves.”
Negatives: A fairly new and young side may not be good enough to compete against the competition heavyweights at the pointy end of the season. Their attacking style of play could also open holes in their defence.
Predicted finish – 9th
Newcastle Jets
Coach: Scott Miller
Captain: Nigel Boogard
Ins: Themba Muata-Marlow, Andy Brennan, Nigel Boogaard, Mark Birighitti, Jason Hoffman , Lachlan Jackson, Mateo Poljak, Labinot Haliti, Cam Watson, Leonardo Vitor Santiago
Outs: Scott Neville, Allan Welsh, Sam Gallagher, Jacob Pepper, John Solari, James Virgili, Taylor Regan, Jess Vanstrattan, Zenon Caravella, Andrew Hoole, Max Burgess, Travis Cooper, Edson Montano
Positives: David Carney remaining at the club is a huge plus. The signiing of experienced defender Nigel Boogaard and former Western Sydney Wanderers duo Mateo Poljak and Labinot Haliti will help the Jets be competitive.
Negatives: A real lack of depth with the squad filled with a number of young talents who are yet to make the step up to the A-League level.
Predicted finish – 10th
Stay tuned tomorrow for part two of our A-League season preview.