It is still 76 days until A-League version 10 kicks off, and already the teams are starting to take some shape. One thing is for certain ahead of 2014-15 – fans should expect the unexpected.
We dive into this season, like most seasons, with little to no idea what to expect. Who will lead the league once the season steadies? Which team will be the surprise package come the end of the season and in finals time? Which young player will make a name for himself much like in the way Adam Taggart did in season nine?
This is one of the A-League’s biggest positives – the level of unpredictability. Unlike other worldwide leagues, fans have little idea what’s in store before the season starts.
Arguably the biggest league in the world, the English Premier League, aren’t quite asking themselves the same questions. Their questions sound more like who will win the league out of United, City, Liverpool or Chelsea?
Or which bottom tier team might make a surprising run and scrape into the top 10?
The Spanish people often ask similar questions going into one of their seasons, but it is a choice out of two – will the title go to Madrid or Barcelona? Will the Champions League trophy go to Madrid or Barcelona? Will the Copa del Ray go to Madrid or Barcelona?
There’s a good, young, world-class player, will he be signed to Madrid or Barcelona? In the wake of the World Cup, Luis Suarez and James Rodriguez among others have proven this to be true.
Perth Glory has been one of the most active teams in signing in the off-season, signing A-League stars such as Youssef Hersi, Mitch Nichols and Ruban Zadkovich. They have also secured some other notable names in Richard Garcia and Dino Djulbic, followed by other handy name in Irish international Andy Keogh.
Newcastle Jets are also waving their pen around a fair bit in the off-season, signing former Johnny Warren Medallist Marcos Flores and prolific former United goal scorer Jeronimo Neumann, with some other handy players to join the ranks too.
Finally there are positive things happening around Melbourne City, for obvious reasons. The huge Manchester City takeover and the signing of David Villa are the two most significant.
Players also joining Villa at the club include former Fulham striker Damien Duff and Western Sydney Midfielder Aaron Mooy.
These three teams finished seventh, eighth and last in season nine of the A-League, and now are being talked up as strong contenders who can make big inroads going into finals up against the likes of recently successful Roar, Mariners and Victory.
None of the major leagues in the world could boast this evenness in the competition. Could you imagine some of England biggest papers pumping up West Brom or Hull to challenge as title contenders after a couple of decent signings?
Some see this as a weak point for our league, because we aren’t like the rest of the world. I see it as a strong point for the league, for the exact same reason. We are unique.
The unpredictability is half the magic of the A-League. I’d give you my tip, but I have no idea.
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