Following a fourth-straight loss the finger pointing has well and truly begun at Adelaide United, yet one exuberant character continues to evade criticism.
While Josep Gombau is eternally idolised by the Adelaide faithful, current coach Guillermo Amor is sweating over an uneven jigsaw that once resembled a title tilt.
Although Gombau galvanised Adelaide’s football formula and achieved relative success, his resolute approach and strict adherence to style has left a burden on his Spanish sidekick.
Just like any new coach, Amor needs time. Time to address Gombau’s oversights, and time to impress his own individual style on the players.
While Amor’s methods appear different to Gombau’s, the squad is relatively identical. Which poses the question of why last season’s ‘thrill ride’ is experiencing such a drastic plunge.
Under Gombau, the Reds comfortably dominated possession and thrived in high-tempo situations. Despite this, Adelaide struggled to justify their possession, making it increasingly difficult to punish quality opposition. Fortunately, Gombau’s side generated enough momentum to eventually force a score and remain ultimately competitive.
It is all well and good playing a high line, but your players must honour the process by taking risks. Unfortunately Gombau’s incomplete squad became so obsessed with honouring style it inadvertently deserted substance. This approach is as exhausting as it is futile. Why shoot at goal 20 times when you could strike once?
Because Gombau’s Adelaide remained competitive, it was easier to overlook the flaws. After all, goals win you games and points give you leverage, but in Adelaide’s case it would never be enough. And deep down the supporters knew it. Impact players like Fabio Ferreira and Awer Mabil may score a goal or two, but they cannot be relied upon as sole providers.
A title-winning squad will generally contain a goalscoring striker, reliable midfielders to offer attacking support, and a defender who will pop up on occasion from a corner. Adelaide United has Sergio Cirio and Craig Goodwin, but not much else. And penalties are a shallow income no matter how many you score.
Thus Amor has inherited Gombau’s fundamentally flawed project; incomplete and seemingly impotent. Only time will tell whether Amor is capable of producing his own winning formula, goals and all, although time may be against the modest Spaniard.
While the tabloids flap about constructing internal conflict and John Kosmina again offers his ‘expert’ opinion, it is crucial to consider the Adelaide conundrum rationally. Despite a poor start, the Reds have a strong foundation of footballers who share a united confidence and understanding, such was Gombau’s team cohesion.
The return of Eugene Galekovic will add much-needed leadership and greater stability in defence, but it won’t alter reality. Amor may be Spanish, but he is not Gombau and thus the Adelaide players will need to adjust to a new realm of Spanish flair to succeed.
Welcoming back Eli Babalj and Iacopo La Rocca will add depth, but each are unproven in the Red shirt. Gombau’s armada of Isaias, Marcelo Carrusca, Pablo Sanchez and Cirio are a fearsome faction, but as long as Adelaide’s flaws remain, time may out last their era.
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