Last season was, to put it mildly, an unmitigated disaster. The inability to put the ball in the net on a consistent basis was the chief reason for the Reds’ dramatic slide down the ladder.
So they went out and got the best available striker they knew could perform in this league – Serginho van Dijk.
He has already proven his worth during the Reds’ encouraging Asian Champions League campaign, where they managed to make it to the round of 16 before being beaten in extra time by Korean outfit, Jeonbuk Motors.
If Lloyd Owusu can get over his injury troubles, they may be able to become a deadly combination.
We had a brief glimpse of Argentinian playmaker Marcos Flores at the end of last season and during the ACL and he looks like he can provide the midfield polish that United were sadly lacking last season.
The loss of Kristian Sarkies from his makeshift defensive role will hopefully be nullified by the return of Paul Reid, if he can stay off of the physio table long enough to recapture his 2008 form.
But the biggest off-season change was with the manager.
Aurelio Vidmar ended his association with the Reds after the ACL campaign to take up a role with the national team.
He has now been replaced by Dutch coach Rini Coolen.
Coolen has experience in the European leagues, having played and managed in Holland as well as learning his craft under such managing greats as Guus Hiddink and Gerard Houllier and will bring much needed new tactics to the Adelaide squad, including a 4-3-3 formation, if the pre-season has been anything to go by.
There is talk that goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic is being actively pursued by overseas clubs and may be gone before the transfer window closes at the end of August.
If this happens, then Young Socceroo goalie Mark Birighitti will have to step up into the role or the club will need to find another keeper in a hurry.
The Reds have once again been hampered by injury during the run up to the season but hopefully this will not impact on this season as much as it did the last.
They will start the season with captain Travis Dodd and midfielder Fabian Barbiero on the sideline after off-season surgery. Hopefully their absence will not be a long one as the Reds need to get off to a positive start with so many contenders for a finals berth ahead of them.
With young gun Matthew Leckie returning for another season after his brilliant arrival last season, hopes are high for a more attacking and successful run at the title. Let’s just pray that there isn’t Glad Wrap over the goal like there was last season.
TheStinger
Roar Rookie
We played well last season but the inability to score from the good play was ultra frustrating. How many goal mouth scrambles resulted in no goals. Seriously, we must have had a dozen balls cleared from the six yard box when it was easier to score. I just hope we can turn that around, and with SVD on board I like our chances. Thanks for reading mate and we will continue to keep the faith.
dasilva
Guest
Yeah, I'm looking forward to this season However Rini Coolen record of leading AGOVV Apeldoorn dead last at the Eerste Division (fortunately for that club there was no relegation) doesn't exactly inspire me with confidence. Than again at least things can't get worst from finishing last last season.
ItsCalledFootball
Roar Guru
AUFC played pretty well last year and deserved to be higher up. WIll be strange not seeing them in the ACL this year, but without that distraction they should do better and make the finals. What a brave and loyal bunch you AU fans are, after all you've been through. Keep up the great work guys.
12 x 8
Guest
The Reds new coach will be the key. Either he'll improve every week and get the team purring.........or just muddle along and not really improve the group dynamics. There's a lot to be excited about, similarly though there are niggling worries. Only time will tell.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
Actually last season wasn't such a wash-out. The Reds had a horrid start which effectively kept them out by a few points despite coming home strong and the run in the ACL was healthy. I'd say if they continue with the form they finished with they will be right in the mix this year. Flores, Serj, Leckie, Galekovic.... there's a lot to like.
TheStinger
Roar Rookie
Thanks for the feedback guys. Hopefully it will be a fruitful season unlike the last one. The only way is up at the moment though. I will look into that 442 thing. Might be good. Thanks.
Victer
Guest
Reds have the fan base to be a force in the a-league no doubt. They just need stability from here on in
General Ashnak
Guest
Very nice Stinger! Good to see an AUFC fan in the bloggersphere, just so you know if you are thinking of a regular gig au.fourfourtwo.com is after an AUFC blogger to join Stephen for this season. On the AUFC front, we are obsessed with goals aren't we? Last season we could not score for love or money - the number of goal mouth scrambles we saw was just depressing, but it looks like we finally have someone who can put those away in the form of SVD! 2 days until the heady rush of game day, I can't wait!