This is going to be one of the toughest years to pick and I’m really looking forward to it. Overall league quality is up again and the strong performances from Perth Glory and Wellington Pheonix in pre-season just go to show how competitive things have become. The people who’ve picked either for the spoon might want to re-consider. The race for spots 3-6 is going to be incredibly close and will be decided by a smattering of points. This league is going to have to expand next season, as the teams don’t make the top four are going to look way shabbier on the ladder than their performances will warrant.
As of this last week most squad lists have been settled, Sydney FC are looking for a replacement for Carney, Melbourne for Leijer and the Newcastle Jets yet to finalise the their marquee Mario Jardel. With pre-Season almost over it’s time to front up to the Football gods and bank on future mockery and misery: yes, it’s time for 2007-08 Hyundai A-League predictions.
Under Vidmar the Reds are putting more emphasis on grass than air, abandoning the stodgy (though effective) grind that characterised the Kosmina period. They’ve got plenty of firepower in the form of the Olyroo trio: Burns, Djite and Sarkies, as well as veteran Agostino and Cassio is explosive at fullback. Defensive issues still remain, but I can’t see them outside the top four and they appear dead certs to maintain lock on top-two position.
Highest: 1st
Lowest: 4th
I says: 2nd
After a disappointing V2, the Coasties are back and looking meaner than ever. Flush with cash, a fit Nik Mrdja and Sasho Petrovski upfront they deserve favouritism. Their defense remains formidable as ever, hulking, city-smashing giant Nigel Boogard has been promoted to centerback from the bench and the Heff returns from FC1. Nurnburg. Their midfield is equally intimidating, and bolstered by a fit Gumprecht and new signing Mile Jedinak. Lawrie McKinna is no slouch on the sidelines either and under his shrewd leadership it’s hard to see what can stop the Fisherfolk taking the premiership this time.
Highest: 1st
Lowest: 3rd
I says: 1st
Unsettled in pre-season, Victory sport an eminently capable squad that doesn’t appear to have jelled yet. Could have shakey start and Leijer’s departure to Fulham will be a big loss. Depth of talent remains and they have the potential to make an impressive defense of last years’ honours but this time around the overall improvement of other teams will make it much harder.
Highest:2nd
Lowest:5th
I says: 4th
Haven’t had a wonderful offseason, visa woes have seen signings vanish from the teamsheet, and South American replacements for Carle and Rodriquez have only just arrived. At this point it’s difficult to tell how it will pan out for Dutchie and co. Their choice of marquee, Mario Jardel in particular is a huge gamble: his achievements in Europe pre-2002 are matched by depression, drugs, poor temper and worse form over the last five years. If everyone clicks they’re top-four material, otherwise the spoon looms.
Highest: 3rd
Lowest: 8th
I says: 8th
Shows what I know. Glory have cleared out a lorryload of deadwood and their extensive buildup and some fine picks in Nikita Rukavytsya and Nick Rizzo have paid off so far. Jamie Harnwell (c) is in excellent form and they’ll push hard for the top four but burnout is a risk and this time around I don’t think they’ve got the firepower.
Highest: 4th
Lowest: 7th
I says: 6th
For mine, the jury is still out on Farina’s revolution. Craig Moore will be handy in defense and Tiatto should carve up on the flanks but Queensland Roar’s problems have never been creative play and attacking flair: what’s sent them home time and time again has been making the former count at goalmouth, and it remains to be seen wether they can manage the latter with consistency.
Highest: 3rd
Lowest: 6th
I says: 5th
Sydney FC join Newcastle in the poor off-season stakes, with nine players unavailable for a variety of reasons and an arduous, near-neverending search for a marquee player. David Carney has departed to Sunny Sheffield United but defensive utility Mark Milligan stays for another year after making an utter goose of himself chasing French whispers, meanwhile Juninho Paulista has been considerate enough to save SFC’s bacon for a year or so in the Marquee role. This is still a side with problems however, Carney’s departure has left Skyblue woefully right-sided, lacking a proper left fullback and the calibre of our strikers remains decidedly dodgy.
Highest: 2nd
Lowest: 4th
I says: 3rd
The ‘Nix have a tough task making any headway in what looks to be the most competitive A-League season yet, but they aren’t to be underrated and should wipe the Knight’s smear off NZ football. They appear to have got most of the off-field stuff right and crowds have been bumper even by Australian pre-season standards. Their squad boasts several experienced A-League players and a mix of local and foreign talent. However, overall squad calibre is middling and they haven’t set pre-season alight, 3-0 thrashing of an understrength SFC** nonwithstanding. That said, Ricki Herbert knows what he’s doing, and they should grow in confidence as the squad gels.
Highest: 4th
Lowest: 8th
I says: 7th
* Before anyone scoffs at Pre-Season results, they picked 75% of the top 4 last season with only the Coasties missing out. Though their performance was stellar and Melbourne’s was crud. Hmmmm…
** seriously it was the F team, we were playing with McFlynn and Casey in defense.
