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If Gold Coast United coach Miron Bleiberg ever finds himself out of a job, he can always turn his hand to marketing.
No need for a career change just yet, however, following his high-flying team’s unbeaten start to the A-League season, including Saturday night’s 5-0 victory over a lacklustre North Queensland Fury at Skilled Park.
A modest crowd of 7,526 watched Kiwi international Shane Smeltz bag four goals, including one from the penalty spot, before substitute Tahj Minniecon added a 79th-minute goal to complete the Fury’s humiliation.
Bleiberg predicts that crowd figure will double for the competition leader’s next home game, against Sydney FC on September 5, thanks to the showmanship of Smeltz, skipper Jason Culina and man-of-the-match Joel Porter.
“People will hear the 5-nil (result) and come from all over, from Ballina and from Brisbane,” said the ever-confident Bleiberg.
“There’s no doubt in my mind – we play in three weeks against Sydney – you will see double the crowd. That’s my prediction with my minimum knowledge of marketing.”
It’s a bold call but the colourful Bleiberg has never been one to shy away from outlandish statements.
His first words at Saturday night’s press conference were: “I’m not enjoying to be here and you probably wonder why.
“Because it’s a time to be very modest and it’s very hard for me.”
He then handed over Smeltz, the reigning Johnny Warren Medallist, to begin answering questions from the floor.
Smeltz provided the finishing touches to a classy display from Gold Coast that was made even more impressive considering the absence of star defender Adam Griffiths, who was sold to Saudi champions Al Shabab last week.
Michael Thwaite replaced Griffiths in the vacant holding midfield role — one of five changes to the starting line-up – and proved a constant menance, as did Ivory Coast youth international Adama Traore with his speed out wide.
Bleiberg and club owner Clive Palmer are aware that such sublime performances from Smeltz will only increase the spotlight from overseas clubs but they’re preparing for his possible departure.
“I think Smeltzy is a top striker. Unfortunately for us I think the offer (from overseas) will come some time,” Bleiberg remarked.
“When the right offer comes we will send him his congratulations, the same as we did with Adam (Griffiths) but it will be at the end of the year, if necessary.
“He’ll be 28 when the offer comes and we’ll wish him all the best.”
While Bleiberg was struggling to be humble in victory, Fury coach Ian Ferguson was taking the blame for the 5-0 rout after changing the team formation at halftime.
He pushed Daniel McBreen up front to provide more assistance to star import and lone striker Robbie Fowler but the move backfired as Gold Coast found more space to attack.
“We gave them too much room, too much respect and they outclassed us with their movement and retaining the ball,” Ferguson said.
“We were pretty disappointing and I take full responsibility for what happened. I’m the one who changed the formation so the buck stops with me.”
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