Roar looking to bolster squad with international recuits

 
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By , 11 May 2012 Rooball96 is a Roar Rookie

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    With a long 2011/12 season drawing to an end, Brisbane Roar are already looking to stregthen their Championship squad ahead of next season.

    With key players Sayed Adnan and Issey Nakajima-Farran’s contracts coming to an end in June, and with no word on re-signing, newly appointed Rado Vidosic has some changes to deal with ahead of the eighth season of the Hyundai A-League.

    Sayed and Issey hold two of the Roar’s five visa spots in their registered squad. As for the other vacancies, the new owner has vowed to open the bank in search of a marquee player to allow Brisbane to compete with the best of Asia.

    After a dismal debut in Asia’s top club competition Vidosic has his work cut out to sign players who can live up to the reputation of the A-League’s top team.

    However, Vidosic may not be looking for a big-name/big-game player, but a player who is light on his feet, quick and hard working. Much like his highly credible find of the league, Golden Boot winner Besart Berisha.

    Over in Germany to watch his son Dario and for a holiday, Vidosic attended a training session his son was participating in and noticed a young spirited forward who had grit and passion.

    He compiled a report and sent in back to Ange.

    Twelve months later Berisha is the most sought-after striker in the A-League and Vidosic is calling the shots at Brisbane Roar.

    Only one problem stands; if Berisha was to be struck down by an injury, who would fill his spot?

    That’s the question being asked in all of Brisbane’s positions. When Broich was missing, for instance, Brisbane didn’t win a game. Depth is what Vidosic will be looking to improve.

    Players have been linked to the Roar after the Bakrie group said they were chasing ex-Gold Coast starlet Ben Holloran and the heart of their defence Michael Thwaite. These two players head the Roar’s wishlist for the off-season.

    In addition to securing the contract of these two, they both hold an Australian visa and wouldn’t put a large dint in the Roar’s salary cap.

    Looking further abroad and to players with a larger reputation to fill a marquee position, Socceroo James Troisi has terminated his contract at Turkish club Kayserispor.

    Troisi would bring a flare into a Roar attack beginning to smolder and be wasteful.

    He would certainly be an Australian marquee player, who would bring bums onto seats to boost the current average crowds of 15,000-16000.

    A perfect marquee option for an international spot would be Allasandro Del Piero.

    Del Piero would most certainly set the A-League alight, and dwarf Kewells signing to Melbourne Victory.

    Capped 91 times for ex-World Champions Italy, Del Piero offers an experienced big name coup Vidosic would love to have.

    Although it is unlikely he will sign with a lower-stature league than the Seri A, his contract ends in May. Roar fans can only hope.

    Ex-Adelaide United flyer Marcos Flores also could find himself in a Roar jersey next season if the Roar board are willing to open the bank. His estimated price tag is above $1 million.

    Flores is a true gentleman of the game. He’s a man with much talent on the pitch, which was shown with his Jonny Warren Medal two seasons ago.

    All of these players would sit perfectly into the Roars’ attacking game, with goals almost certain for any player who signs with the Roar forward line.

    These players would also be perfect additions to replace Nakajima-Farran.

    As mentioned earlier players eyeing off the second centre-back role next to captain Matt Smith include the likes of Michael Thwaite.

    The Roar is producing fine centre backs from their youth, meaning no signings may be necessary. Luke Donachie and Mathew Jurman will be bidding for the starting role next season.

    A player who has watched the Roar from the sidelines for the last two years, not as a coach but as a keeper, is Andrew Redmayne.

    Originally signed as Brisbane’s number-one keeper upon Postecoglou’s arrival, Redmayne was pushed to the bench when Michael Theoklitos became available to Ange Postecoglou.

    Redmayne is leaving to go to Melbourne Heart at the end of his contract, meaning the Roar will be on the hunt again for a new keeper, maybe a new number one.

    Theoklitos has certainly had his ups and down in his career, but he is nevertheless a quality keeper.

    After guiding Melbourne Victory to two championships, Theoklitos was signed by Norwich in the summer of 2009.

    But after a dismal debut he was sacked after three games, became available on the market and was snatched by Ange.

    After a year consisting of only 57 saves – and where he conceded one-and-a-half goals a game – Theoklitos’ top spot may be in jeapordy.

    Vidosic might be able to snatch a first-class keeper in the off-season.

    One who springs to name is the ex-Brazilian custodian Dida, a world-cup winning keeper for Brazil.

    Dida is another possible international player, who could most certainly make an impact on the A-League.

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