The A-League has truly come a long way since its humble beginnings in 2005. I remember attending a Sydney FC pre-season match in early 2006, when football had finally come to the fore of the Australian sporting landscape. A journalist for the Sydney Morning Herald was at the match writing an article about the rise of the A-League and interviewed my friends and I. The article, found here http://www.smh.com.au/news/football/sydney-draw-friendly-coves-to-share-beer-and-pizza/2006/02/24/1140670269013.html, comments on how surprising it was to see fans travel so far to watch their team and how amazing it was to get 300 people to turn up and watch a training session. Fast forward six years, thousands of people showed up at the SFS last year to welcome Alessandro Del Piero and watch him train.
Season 9 of the A-League kicked off four weeks ago with record breaking crowds attending the opening weekend. 100998 people attended the first round of the season, surpassing the previous best for a regular season round. While the Socceroos are struggling at the moment, the A-League just keeps getting bigger and better. There was a lot of excitement surrounding the A-League during pre-season. Fans were eager for the new season to begin but had to wait an excruciating longer off season than normal. The main topic of choice was the return of Harry Kewell, while Sydney FC went on a great tour of Italy and Adelaide welcomed a new Spanish coach looking to impose Barcelona's famous style of football.
Here's a look at each team after four rounds of competition and my ladder predictions:
Brisbane Roar - W W L W - Currently 1st (9 pts): after a really tight first match win against Wellington, Brisbane has quickly clicked into gear this season. Playing the same great football they have been serving up in the last few seasons, they've had some impressive wins against Sydney and the Heart. Their only loss so far this season has come against an inspired Melbourne Victory in Ange's last match in charge. They had some great buys in the transfer window, including Liam Miller and Matt McKay, which will once again make them a force and arguably the most threatening team in the A-League. My prediction: 1st (premiers)
Western Sydney Wanderers - D D W W - Currently 2nd (8 pts): the Wanderers had a slow start to the season with two draws but after two impressive wins, one of them in the Sydney derby, they're starting to look like the premiers of last year again. They were extremely solid at the back last year and will be even more so this year with the recruitment of Socceroo Matt Spiranovic. Their other recruit Tomi Juric is now starting to fire, which will make them very threatening up front. Shinji Ono will continue to produce magic. Expect them to have another great season but need to be weary of second season syndrome. My prediction: 3rd
Perth Glory - L D W W - Currently 4th (7 pts): as their first few results show, Perth are in for a roller coaster season this year. Their play hasn't been that impressive but have managed to grind out some results. Lots of ins and outs this year might create some instability in the team but if they gel they could be high up the ladder by season's end. Some great buys including Ryo Nagai and Jamie Maclaren will give them plenty of fire power. The amazing signing of William Gallas from Tottenham Hotspur will produce shockwaves in the A-League and will provide Perth with the experience needed to take it to the next level. My prediction: 6th
Central Coast Mariners - D D W D - Currently 5th (6 pts): the Mariners continue to play the consistent football they're known for under Graham Arnold. However, they will be a very different team this year after some key players left the club over the winter. The signing of Argentine Marcos Flores will provide them with plenty of creativity up front but they might be left quite vulnerable at the back, highlighted by the high amount of draws in the early rounds. This season might be the champion's toughest in a long time and I doubt they'll be able to win back to back titles. My prediction: 4th
Melbourne Victory - D D W W - Currently 3rd (8 pts): after some mixed results and performances, the Victory will be looking for some consistency. The first round Melbourne derby was one of the most boring A-League matches of all time, but have improved since. Some massive signings pre-season, including Troisi, Barbarouses, Contreras and Nichols, have made Melbourne the best team on paper. On the pitch though it's a different story and will need to gel soon if they truly want another A-League title. The retaining of captain Mark Milligan will be a huge boost but the biggest unknown for them this season will be life after Ange Postecoglou. Kevin Muscat has been appointed as their new coach and only time will tell if that was the right decision. My prediction: 2nd (champions)
Adelaide United - W D L L - Currently 6th (4 pts): one of the biggest talking points of the new season has been the appointment of Josep Gombau as coach of Adelaide. Gombau formerly coached youth squads at Barcelona between 2003-2009. From the moment he stepped off the plane Gombau has been promising to bring Barcelona's tiki-taka style to Adelaide. With the recruitment of some Spanish imports he might just be able to pull it off. United has had some great performances early in the season but their poor results shows that the squad is still trying to get used to the new style of play. Huge potential at Adelaide this season and if the tiki-taka football starts flowing they could be a real force. My prediction: 5th
Newcastle Jets - L D D D - Currently 7th (3 pts): I attended their first match of the season as it was against Sydney FC and I was very unimpressed by what they offered. Newcastle has been playing some very disappointing football and only a draw against the Mariners was able to save some embarrassment. Their squad remains largely unchanged from last year and it will be interesting to see if they can put together a good run of form at all this season. The recruitment of Nathan Burns will help but as it's only a six month loan it will only be a short term fix. I don't expect them to make much of an impact. My prediction: 10th (last)
Sydney FC - W L L L - Currently 8th (3 pts): after a great round 1 performance Sydney were quietly confident with the season ahead. Unfortunately, after three consecutive losses it seems they're now back to the same mess they were in last year. Sydney probably have the most potential out of any clubs in the A-League but they just can't seem to get it together on the pitch. With some amazing transfers in the off season, including the return of Nicky Carle, they now have three former Socceroos, an Asian Cup winner and a World Cup winner in their squad. It's not going to get any easier for Sydney FC and they need to turn things around quickly. Their performance in the Sydney derby was embarrassing but their latest against Perth was more promising. Although many are asking for his head, the continuance of Frank Farina will provide the stability the team needs. If Sydney FC do click during the season, the other teams better watch out, the question is how and if they will. My prediction: 8th... as much as it pains me to say.
Wellington Phoenix - L D D L - Currently 9th (2 pts): with the appointment of Ernie Merrick as coach there was great hope at the start of the season from the fans. There has been good patches of play from the Phoenix but unfortunately they haven't been able to get any good results, one of three teams still without a win. They've had some key figures leave the club, which haven't really been replaced. This season will be a bit of an unknown for Wellington but some smart coaching from Merrick will see them improve as the season progresses. My prediction: 7th
Melbourne Heart - D D L L - Currently 10th (2 pts): all eyes were on the Heart before the season started as Harry Kewell made his return to the A-League. Unfortunately, this had a negative effect on the club as their preparation was hampered by the big signing. After four rounds they sit bottom of the ladder and it's hard to see how they'll bounce back. There's still some hope for the Heart as they made some great signings pre season, including Engelaar, Behich, Kisnorbo and of course Kewell. They'll improve throughout the season but so many changes to the squad and an over reliance on Kewell will hurt them. My prediction: 9th
This promises to be a great season, the quality of football just keeps getting better in the A-League. Some really exciting signings will add to the already amazing marquee players in the league. Get out there and support your team!
Here's a look at each team after four rounds of competition and my ladder predictions:
Brisbane Roar - W W L W - Currently 1st (9 pts): after a really tight first match win against Wellington, Brisbane has quickly clicked into gear this season. Playing the same great football they have been serving up in the last few seasons, they've had some impressive wins against Sydney and the Heart. Their only loss so far this season has come against an inspired Melbourne Victory in Ange's last match in charge. They had some great buys in the transfer window, including Liam Miller and Matt McKay, which will once again make them a force and arguably the most threatening team in the A-League. My prediction: 1st (premiers)
Western Sydney Wanderers - D D W W - Currently 2nd (8 pts): the Wanderers had a slow start to the season with two draws but after two impressive wins, one of them in the Sydney derby, they're starting to look like the premiers of last year again. They were extremely solid at the back last year and will be even more so this year with the recruitment of Socceroo Matt Spiranovic. Their other recruit Tomi Juric is now starting to fire, which will make them very threatening up front. Shinji Ono will continue to produce magic. Expect them to have another great season but need to be weary of second season syndrome. My prediction: 3rd
Perth Glory - L D W W - Currently 4th (7 pts): as their first few results show, Perth are in for a roller coaster season this year. Their play hasn't been that impressive but have managed to grind out some results. Lots of ins and outs this year might create some instability in the team but if they gel they could be high up the ladder by season's end. Some great buys including Ryo Nagai and Jamie Maclaren will give them plenty of fire power. The amazing signing of William Gallas from Tottenham Hotspur will produce shockwaves in the A-League and will provide Perth with the experience needed to take it to the next level. My prediction: 6th
Central Coast Mariners - D D W D - Currently 5th (6 pts): the Mariners continue to play the consistent football they're known for under Graham Arnold. However, they will be a very different team this year after some key players left the club over the winter. The signing of Argentine Marcos Flores will provide them with plenty of creativity up front but they might be left quite vulnerable at the back, highlighted by the high amount of draws in the early rounds. This season might be the champion's toughest in a long time and I doubt they'll be able to win back to back titles. My prediction: 4th
Melbourne Victory - D D W W - Currently 3rd (8 pts): after some mixed results and performances, the Victory will be looking for some consistency. The first round Melbourne derby was one of the most boring A-League matches of all time, but have improved since. Some massive signings pre-season, including Troisi, Barbarouses, Contreras and Nichols, have made Melbourne the best team on paper. On the pitch though it's a different story and will need to gel soon if they truly want another A-League title. The retaining of captain Mark Milligan will be a huge boost but the biggest unknown for them this season will be life after Ange Postecoglou. Kevin Muscat has been appointed as their new coach and only time will tell if that was the right decision. My prediction: 2nd (champions)
Adelaide United - W D L L - Currently 6th (4 pts): one of the biggest talking points of the new season has been the appointment of Josep Gombau as coach of Adelaide. Gombau formerly coached youth squads at Barcelona between 2003-2009. From the moment he stepped off the plane Gombau has been promising to bring Barcelona's tiki-taka style to Adelaide. With the recruitment of some Spanish imports he might just be able to pull it off. United has had some great performances early in the season but their poor results shows that the squad is still trying to get used to the new style of play. Huge potential at Adelaide this season and if the tiki-taka football starts flowing they could be a real force. My prediction: 5th
Newcastle Jets - L D D D - Currently 7th (3 pts): I attended their first match of the season as it was against Sydney FC and I was very unimpressed by what they offered. Newcastle has been playing some very disappointing football and only a draw against the Mariners was able to save some embarrassment. Their squad remains largely unchanged from last year and it will be interesting to see if they can put together a good run of form at all this season. The recruitment of Nathan Burns will help but as it's only a six month loan it will only be a short term fix. I don't expect them to make much of an impact. My prediction: 10th (last)
Sydney FC - W L L L - Currently 8th (3 pts): after a great round 1 performance Sydney were quietly confident with the season ahead. Unfortunately, after three consecutive losses it seems they're now back to the same mess they were in last year. Sydney probably have the most potential out of any clubs in the A-League but they just can't seem to get it together on the pitch. With some amazing transfers in the off season, including the return of Nicky Carle, they now have three former Socceroos, an Asian Cup winner and a World Cup winner in their squad. It's not going to get any easier for Sydney FC and they need to turn things around quickly. Their performance in the Sydney derby was embarrassing but their latest against Perth was more promising. Although many are asking for his head, the continuance of Frank Farina will provide the stability the team needs. If Sydney FC do click during the season, the other teams better watch out, the question is how and if they will. My prediction: 8th... as much as it pains me to say.
Wellington Phoenix - L D D L - Currently 9th (2 pts): with the appointment of Ernie Merrick as coach there was great hope at the start of the season from the fans. There has been good patches of play from the Phoenix but unfortunately they haven't been able to get any good results, one of three teams still without a win. They've had some key figures leave the club, which haven't really been replaced. This season will be a bit of an unknown for Wellington but some smart coaching from Merrick will see them improve as the season progresses. My prediction: 7th
Melbourne Heart - D D L L - Currently 10th (2 pts): all eyes were on the Heart before the season started as Harry Kewell made his return to the A-League. Unfortunately, this had a negative effect on the club as their preparation was hampered by the big signing. After four rounds they sit bottom of the ladder and it's hard to see how they'll bounce back. There's still some hope for the Heart as they made some great signings pre season, including Engelaar, Behich, Kisnorbo and of course Kewell. They'll improve throughout the season but so many changes to the squad and an over reliance on Kewell will hurt them. My prediction: 9th
This promises to be a great season, the quality of football just keeps getting better in the A-League. Some really exciting signings will add to the already amazing marquee players in the league. Get out there and support your team!
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