The Roar's A-League Men tips and predictions: Round 26 - the jostle for finals positions is on in earnest
Here is the way the Roar expert panel sees all the action unfolding across the final weekend of play prior to the semi-finals.
Robbie Slater has backed new Brisbane Roar mentor John Aloisi to shine in his second senior coaching stint, saying he’s grown and gained greater perspective since he was sacked by Melbourne Heart.
Aloisi will oversee his first A-League match at the helm of Brisbane when the Roar face the Western Sydney Wanderers on Thursday night, nearly two years after his unsuccessful run at the then-Heart ended.
“I think John will do well,” Slater said of the 39-year-old legendary former Socceroos striker.
“He was very fresh in his first season with Melbourne Heart and he didn’t have a lot of luck.”
Ex-Socceroo Slater said Aloisi’s time working alongside him as a Fox Sports commentator had taught him how to better deal with the media – a valuable lesson for any manager.
“That’s one of the big things as a coach you’ve got to be able to deal with,” he said.
“He’s had a year in the media where he’s had to criticise coaches and players, now he’ll know it’s not personal.
“It’s a big challenge and he’s been able to step back, see the media side and that will help him deal with the media and to a large extent criticism.”
Slater said Aloisi’s chances at Heart had been cruelled by some factors out of his control, notably star Dutch signing Orlando Engelaar fracturing his leg during his pre-season debut and being ruled out for 14 winless rounds in 2013/14.
“I remember Orlando Engelaar came back into the Melbourne Heart team the week after John was sacked and then they went on a good run.
“That was the ingredient he missed and he couldn’t get that.
“I do believe if he had have stayed when Engelaar came into the team he would have been OK.”
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Here is the way the Roar expert panel sees all the action unfolding across the final weekend of play prior to the semi-finals.
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