We are just past half way of the current A-League season, the most competitive in its short history. Besides the clear leader Brisbane Roar, just seven points separates 2nd to 8th place and even bottom placed Melbourne Heart still hope to make the finals. For the first time ever it seems that any team can truly beat anyone else on any given day, with Brisbane, Western Sydney and the Victory strangely suffering heavy losses at home. As we begin the run towards the finals it is time to have a look at how each team have progressed in the first half of the season.
Brisbane just go from strength to strength, now clear at the top of the league by 5 points. It is still remarkable that after Ange left the club and then having many changes in personnel, Brisbane still manage to be the benchmark. Their one touch fluid football has been producing some great footballing displays. Their 3-0 win away from home against Melbourne Victory in round 13 has been called the best domestic football performance Australia has ever seen. Not having to play in the AFC Champions League will help them greatly and if they keep fit they will be hard to stop. Their biggest challenge will be keeping motivation up, not peaking too early and controlling Berisha's temperament.
- Current Table Position: 1st | My Prediction: 1st (premiers and champions)
Western Sydney Wanderers
The Wanderers continue to be solid and will make the finals without much trouble. They've had some good results but are no where near as consistent as last year. Consistency is the key if you are to win the premiership. You can never count them out though as they won a lot of games when not at their best, a sign of a champion. If they continue to improve they might make a big impact in the finals but I don't see them being as successful as last season. Shinji Ono has officially announced that he will be going back to Japan at the end of the season, which will add extra motivation to the team to send him out on a high note. The Wanderers will be playing in the AFC Champions League for the first time, which will take a toll on them. There is still some doubt over Tony Popovic's continual tinkering of the squad.
- Current Table Position: 2nd | My Prediction: 3rd
Central Coast Mariners
Most people have been calling the Mariners a side in transition this season, a lot of the players from the championship winning side left and then Graham Arnold followed by acquiring an overseas contract. The truth is they have only lost three times this season (league's best) and they are definitely a team on the up. They beginning to find their feet after a few shaky weeks under a new manager. While I don't see them get anywhere near the premiership or championship they will very likely make the finals and could produce a few surprises. The injury to Marcos Flores that will see him out for the rest of the season was very unfortunate.
- Current Table Position: 3rd | My Prediction: 4th
Melbourne Victory
Melbourne were unpredictable early in the season and even more so once Muscat took over. They've had some great performances but also some very poor ones in the first half of the season. However, they are starting to get more consistency under their belt and look more comfortable on the park. The Victory will look to finish strong this season. They will be playing AFC Champions League playoffs and the competition proper if they qualify, which will test their depth immensely especially after the departure of Mitch Nichols. The big story though is the loan signing of Tom Rogic for the rest of the season, a player that can take them to the next level. Look out for Melbourne to continue improving and be a real threat come seasons' end.
- Current Table Position: 4th | My Prediction: 2nd (and grand finalists)
Adelaide United
Adelaide were clearly struggling at the start of the season finding it hard to adapt to Josep Gombau's style of football. The team has finally looked like it has clicked and their perseverance in following Gombau's philosophy is starting to pay off. The tiki-taka style of football is now not only giving them possession but wins too. Adelaide has now gone six matches without a loss and are really starting to believe in themselves. The return of Bruce Djite has also given them a boost up front. Adelaide will have their eyes set on the finals but in such a tight league they will need to continue to improve. Their biggest challenge will be finding a plan B to win matches when their unique style is not working.
- Current Table Position: 5th | My Prediction: 5th
Perth Glory
Among the most unpredictable teams this season, Perth have won five, drawn five and lost five so far. The long distances traveled by the team is clearly hurting their away performances, failing to notch an away win this season. They've had some encouraging performances but if they can't improve their away form they won't be finishing any higher than mid-table. They have not had a completely dominant performance yet and if they want to make sure they make the finals they will have to improve no matter what. The return of William Gallas to full fitness will be encouraging.
- Current Table Position: 6th | My Prediction: 7th
Newcastle Jets
Newcastle have had some impressive results, most notably their away win against Brisbane Roar. However, they are far too unpredictable and inconsistent to gain any momentum. The big news to come out of Newcastle is the sacking of Gary Van Egmond as coach, which will definitely have an impact on the team. The big question will be how the team reacts to a new manager but usually when there is a change of coach the team goes through a period of transition as they look to adapt to the new coach's style. In saying that I am not expecting great things from the Jets for the next few weeks and I believe they will fall just short this season.
- Current Table Position: 7th | My Prediction: 8th
Sydney FC
There's no other way to say it but Sydney are a club in crisis. Following their four match winning streak in the early stages of the season, they have only won one other game since then and that was against bottom placed Melbourne Heart. They hit rock bottom in the 2-5 loss against Brisbane at home on boxing day and are now win-less in their last five matches. Frank Farina continues to be blamed as the players look completely lost on the pitch as they clearly lack motivation and direction. Their shining light, Del Piero, doesn't seem happy, which is a terrible sign for the club. Unless there are drastic changes this season could get really ugly for Sydney.
- Current Table Position: 8th | My Prediction: 9th
Wellington Phoenix
Wellington are definitely a team on the rise. It seems like Ernie Merrick has finally got them playing like he wants them to and his quality as a coach is starting to show. They've had some massive wins in the last few weeks including a 5-0 thrashing of Melbourne Victory at home and a 3-1 victory against Western Sydney away. They haven't lost in their last five matches and are the in form team of the competition. Even though they are currently 9th on the ladder if they continue playing like they have been recently I can see them sneaking into the finals. Out of the teams in the bottom half of the ladder they look the most promising.
- Current Table Position: 9th | My Prediction: 6th
Melbourne Heart
Well there isn't much else to say about the Heart that hasn't been said already, they have been woeful this season. However, there have been some encouraging signs in recent weeks. They acquired their first win in nearly a year last round when they defeated the Jets 3-1 at home. Their play seems to have improved and it would be fair to say that they are generating enough scoring opportunities to win matches. The axing of John Aloisi and the re-appointment of John Vant Schip seems to have done some good. Furthermore, the return to full fitness of Orlando Engelaar and Harry Kewell will give the team a lot of confidence. Unfortunately I believe it's too little to late for the Heart, they will continue to improve but the damage has been done, they will find it hard to accumulate enough points to get out of bottom place.
- Current Table Position: 6th | My Prediction: 7th
Newcastle Jets
Newcastle have had some impressive results, most notably their away win against Brisbane Roar. However, they are far too unpredictable and inconsistent to gain any momentum. The big news to come out of Newcastle is the sacking of Gary Van Egmond as coach, which will definitely have an impact on the team. The big question will be how the team reacts to a new manager but usually when there is a change of coach the team goes through a period of transition as they look to adapt to the new coach's style. In saying that I am not expecting great things from the Jets for the next few weeks and I believe they will fall just short this season.
- Current Table Position: 7th | My Prediction: 8th
Sydney FC
There's no other way to say it but Sydney are a club in crisis. Following their four match winning streak in the early stages of the season, they have only won one other game since then and that was against bottom placed Melbourne Heart. They hit rock bottom in the 2-5 loss against Brisbane at home on boxing day and are now win-less in their last five matches. Frank Farina continues to be blamed as the players look completely lost on the pitch as they clearly lack motivation and direction. Their shining light, Del Piero, doesn't seem happy, which is a terrible sign for the club. Unless there are drastic changes this season could get really ugly for Sydney.
- Current Table Position: 8th | My Prediction: 9th
Wellington Phoenix
Wellington are definitely a team on the rise. It seems like Ernie Merrick has finally got them playing like he wants them to and his quality as a coach is starting to show. They've had some massive wins in the last few weeks including a 5-0 thrashing of Melbourne Victory at home and a 3-1 victory against Western Sydney away. They haven't lost in their last five matches and are the in form team of the competition. Even though they are currently 9th on the ladder if they continue playing like they have been recently I can see them sneaking into the finals. Out of the teams in the bottom half of the ladder they look the most promising.
- Current Table Position: 9th | My Prediction: 6th
Melbourne Heart
Well there isn't much else to say about the Heart that hasn't been said already, they have been woeful this season. However, there have been some encouraging signs in recent weeks. They acquired their first win in nearly a year last round when they defeated the Jets 3-1 at home. Their play seems to have improved and it would be fair to say that they are generating enough scoring opportunities to win matches. The axing of John Aloisi and the re-appointment of John Vant Schip seems to have done some good. Furthermore, the return to full fitness of Orlando Engelaar and Harry Kewell will give the team a lot of confidence. Unfortunately I believe it's too little to late for the Heart, they will continue to improve but the damage has been done, they will find it hard to accumulate enough points to get out of bottom place.
- Current Table Position: 10th | My Prediction: 10th
