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I’ve compiled a list of current A-League players who at one point where destined to become great players or more was expected from them when they were signed by their current clubs.
The list includes the top five players who have been frustrating to watch and players I and fellow fans have expected much more from.
Bernie Ibini
A player considered by many commentators to be one of Australia’s better and more promising up-and-coming players. Made 77 league appearances and scored 21 league goals at the Central Coast Mariners and after an ill-fated move to China is currently on loan at Sydney FC.
At 22, with a goal tally that isn’t overly impressive, Ibini has the world at his feet, however has failed to impress at Sydney FC and failed to find the net in the opening first five rounds.
For a player with pace to burn and excellent dribbling abilities, who you would expect would pin their ears back and run at defenders continually, my only memory of Ibini looking somewhat dangerous is limited to just several occasions this season.
His touch has let him down significantly, the majority of his play has been negative with him looking back for an easier pass too often, rather than putting a ball through or running at defenders down the flank and whipping a cross in for Janko.
After seeing him play live you notice that he lacks football intelligence and at 22 still doesn’t know how to lift his head, you can truly feel the fans frustrations. For a player that has mentioned several times that he would like to follow his good friend Mat Ryan and play in Europe, I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if he finds himself playing NSW state league football in a year or two.
Jamie Young
A 29-year-old keeper signed from Hayes and Yeading United in England’s South Conference, yes, I repeat South Conference, was signed by Mike Mulvey as understudy to Michael Theo. A broken wrist has sidelined Theo for the first five rounds with a return date of in four to six weeks. But the return could not be more anticipated.
Jamie Young has looked completely out of his depth, vulnerable and poor. A decent shot stopper, but his ability to play out from the back is laughable at best. Mark Janko’s goal was great technically, and you can’t take that away from the shot but it was put on the platter by Young. A very questionable signing by Mulvey to go to the sixth tier of English football to bring back an understudy.
It’s something that could possibly end Mulvey’s tenure at the Roar with them winless in their first four games. Young’s poor start to the season doesn’t look like it’ll be improving with his own defenders starting to lose confidence and belief in him, which was very clear to see with Shane Stefanutto’s frustration boiling over at full-time on the weekend.
There is no doubt that the Roar will not stand in his way to leave at season’s end, with Young undoubtedly pulling down his own curtain on his A-League career.
David Carney
A promising player in his youth days in Everton’s youth team, originally in the same team as Wayne Rooney. Their careers have taken completely different paths however. Rooney has continually proved his critics wrong and impressed for his club side Manchester United and on occasion for his national team, the Three Lions. However, on the other end, David Carney has failed to even secure a permanent club in recent times with the Newcastle Jets coming to the rescue this season.
It is fair to say that his development as a footballer has been impacted by his ego to play in Europe. He has only amassed 128 league appearances over his last 12 seasons as a professional footballer. A signing made by Phil Stubbins in the offseason and mooted to be an excellent capture for a club that many were suggesting would struggle, the reality has really hit home in the opening rounds.
Carney has failed to impress in any shape or form and so have his teammates. For a player capped 48 times for his country, with his 48th appearance appearing to be his last, Carney’s pace has diminished and his development has remained stagnate. Continually overturning silly and easy possession, failing to hit instrumental passes that he once could hit and his poor ability to connect with his teammates and read the game are there for everyone to see.
A player that no doubt would have excelled had he remained in the A-League or returned three or four years earlier, however it appears that the continual growth and development of the A-League could bring down his curtain on professional football in Australia forever.
Scott Jamieson
A player that rose through the ranks of Adelaide United playing on the left flank. A player that once looked threating going forward and completely solid defending. Four appearances for the Socceroos to date, the abilities which once made him a great player to watch have all but disappeared.
Released by Sydney FC after two tumultuous years, he was given a second chance by Perth Glory. Two years later the mistimed challenges, poor positional play, poor touches and poor passing and distribution all remain from his Sydney days. It’s made him a frustration to watch. I honestly can’t see him getting another A-League contract and Perth will surely be his last club with the Australia professional set-up.
Andrew Nabbout
A player that rose to stardom, with two goals in only his second or third appearance against Sydney FC in Sydney. His two goals and Melbourne’s recovery sent the travelling fans into euphoria as they were able to recover a 2-0 deficit and in turn made him an instant hero in the terraces at AAMI Park.
However, from his early promise during the first part of the season and after a contract extension, signs started to appear that in fact he was struggling in the A-League. Since then, he has managed only three more goals with his appearances becoming scarce in recent times.
There is no doubt that his time as a professional player is coming to an end and he might have to look at the lower spectrum of Asian leagues to secure a professional contract.
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