I was looking forward to running the rule over Nicky Carle on a crisp Brisbane evening at Suncorp Stadium, but instead it was Roar skipper Matt McKay who caught the eye with a typically tenacious display.
McKay was everywhere for the Roar, winning possession in midfield, creating space for his team-mates and showing a cool head in front of goal to score the game’s only goal.
Brisbane thought they should have scored even earlier after a deflected McKay cross forced Sydney goalkeeper Liam Reddy to scramble back, but from my position inside the ground it didn’t look as though the ball had crossed the goal line.
It didn’t matter in the end, as the Roar dominated a Sydney side who clearly missed injured duo Mark Bridge and Alex Brosque.
Salary cap issues aside, one wonders why Sydney coach Vitezslav Lavicka was so willing to see the back of John Aloisi and Chris Payne without signing adequate replacements, as Sydney’s depth was well and truly tested by the absence of Bridge and ex-Brisbane man Brosque.
The centre of Sydney’s defence also posed some interesting questions, with Hayden Foxe consistently exposed by the pacy Brisbane attack.
How much longer Lavicka persists with playing Foxe alongside the similarly single-speed Stephan Keller remains to be seen, given that in Sebastian Ryall the Sky Blues possess a perfectly capable centre back, while right-sided defender Shannon Cole currently twiddles his thumbs on the bench.
The lack of pace in Sydney’s back four was constantly exploited by the Roar on Saturday night, while German import Thomas Broich showed some clever touches on the ball.
Broich will probably take some time to settle in the A-League, and like Sydney playmaker Carle, he at times appears to be thinking two or three moves ahead of his team-mates.
The much-travelled German is not the only new signing to have impressed in a Brisbane jersey so far, and Postecoglu appears to have been vindicated by his decision to purge the club of several of their underperforming veterans last season.
If Costa Rican striker Jean Carlos Solorzano can make the sort of impact Roar officials are hoping for, then surely finals football awaits the club from the Queensland capital.
Solorzano isn’t quite match fit, and nor is Reinaldo if his brief nine-minute cameo is anything to go by.
The burly Brazilian has always been fairly adept at holding the ball up, but consistent goal scoring isn’t exactly his forté, and the Roar could do with the type of player capable of banging home 10 goals a season for them.
They had that in Sergio van Dijk, so Solorzano has some big shoes to fill when the young Costa Rican finally makes it onto the pitch.
For now, Postecoglu will be pleased with the way his team is faring, as the Roar continue their fine tradition of playing expansive, rapid-fire passing football.
They’re one of the most attractive teams to watch in the A-League, and at the very least Roar fans deserve to be entertained following the club’s well documented problems on and off the pitch last season.
If the much-maligned Postecoglu can uncover a regular goal scorer, then Brisbane Roar will be a definite force to be reckoned with during the 2010-11 A-League campaign.
Cuz
Guest
We're only 3 rounds in. Wait till every team has at least played each other once before commenting on who is playing the best football. Early days yet.
jimbo
Roar Guru
I'd wait a few more games before judging the Roar. Sydney FC are just terrible at the moment and Nicky Carle, rather than being the dream marquee signing is turning into a bit of a nightmare. And they have no decent striker. SFC made Fury and the Roar look better than they really are - hey, but its great to see teams like the Roar, AUFC, Phoenix, Fury, Glory and Mariners at the top of the A-League.
Realfootball
Guest
Agree. Bratten looked very good against Everton. The Roar production line of talent seems endless. Shame they didn't keep Cernak.
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
I thought Mitch was fine. Don't care either way between him or Massimo playing, they should both hopefully do the job. Agree Bratten doesn't look like he's ready to start yet. Terrific prospect though.
Realfootball
Guest
I was in the stands, and from my perspective Nicholls had a particularly good game, perhaps the best he has played for the Roar. He's picked up a metre in pace since last season and gave Sydney a terrible time with his movement in the front third. Bratten, when he came on, looked too small to do the job he has to do. For too long the Roar have been a small (in stature) team. Nicholls brings more size and strength that Bratten, and more pace (for now - Bratten will get faster). Very puzzled at the negative view of Nicholls in this game. Sure his finishing wasn't great, but neither was Barbarousous'. And don't even start me on Reinaldo. I wasn't alone in the stands in thinking Nicholls was good on the day. If Mitch can grab a couple of goals, it could transform him as a player, one suspects.
chook
Roar Rookie
I was stoked they played so well ... They seemed to gel much better as a team and have a little more composure and discipline. They are far more creative and a less likely to have one route to attack. Nicoles was the only blipp.
Steve
Guest
I would have to agree they have more player with better individual skill ( except Nicols). Bratten to start next game. I though it would be a good effort for the Roar to make the finals but if they keep this level of skill and compsure they should be a shoe in. Sydney had a great year last year but to beat them even if they were under strength it was a good win. Partaluu, Brioch, Stefanoto were great. The roar are going to be a hard team to break down and they will probably get even better next year....... Well Done Ange
Mackey
Guest
I've attendend a few pre-season games but it was the Everton game that really made me sit up and think to myself 'Holy crap, we're playing football!' I think a lot of Mckay's good form has to be attributed to the fact that the M&M partnership has been broken up. While both Mckay and Murdocca are solid club players, they are too similar both in stature and footballing terms. Mckay now has a monster defensive midfielder with good distribution behind him in Paartalu and two solid fullbacks in Franjic and Stefanutto to play with as well. I've felt for the last 3 or 4 seasons that Mckay and Murdocca are just too similar and shouldn't be playing together. Broich has been fantastic, he's been an absolute delight to watch so far and one feels with another 5 or 6 games under his belt he could be the genuine CONSISTENT playmaker we've lacked. Fingers crossed that Solarzano is top quality as I really don't want the team relying on Reinaldo for goals!
Geordie
Guest
I have often jumped on the Reinaldo is junk bandwagon but he is a great person for the speedy wingers and second striker to play off so if he remains injury free could be an important piece of the puzzle for the roar.
Vicentin
Guest
Have to agree that Brisbane looked the goods - strong in all areas except for an outright striker. Sydney have a lot to ponder. Lavicka did really well to get the team to play in a very methodical way last season but with the loss of Colosimo and Kisel - whose workrate and creativity (passing) should not be underestimated, they are missing something. Sydney will be much better when Brosque and Bridge come back and I think your comment about Carle being several steps ahead of his teammates was very valid on Saturday but with their return I think you'll see a lot better football up front. Bridge and Brosque are both very smart footballers who I think can operate on the same level as Carle. Danning is a great player but clearly is not a lone striker and Carle's frustration with his play and movement were palpable - the reality is he often had no forward option as Danning was so poor in that role and didn't inspire any confidence. Lavicka needs to play him more but as a wide player given licence to run at defenders like we've seen several other young players do in this season's competition like Cernak, and Leckie and other ex-Sydney boy at Adelaide come to mind. Lavicka has definitely erred in not having more striking options - that Gan came on as a striker says it all really. Will be interesting to see more of the Japanese guy and I wonder whether he and Carle can play together - I hope so. Cole should play more too and I agree that Foxe has been shaky - that was a poor touch/decision that lead to the goal. I also agree that having both Keller and Foxe there makes them vulnerable - the mobile albeit quite slow but technically good Colosimo was a good foil to Keller last year and Ryall (or Jurman) might offer better balance. I'm sure Sydney will get better but I have to agree with one of the most common observations I read about this year's comp - the standard has really lifted. Everyone is better than they were last year but I wonder if Sydney appreciated how much it would improve during the off season.
Rob Gremio
Roar Pro
Hey Mike, I unfortunately didn't see the game (I was at a wedding in Blackbutt), but I am very pleased to finally be reading positive articles about Brisbane Roar in the press. I saw a replay of the "non-goal" incident, and it looks like Reddy just manages to prevent the whole of the ball crossing the whole of the line, but only just. What I am particularly pleased about is Matty Mackay stepping up and taking the responsibility as one of the older heads in the side. His finish was excellent and showed what experience does. Reinaldo probably needs to be let go when his contract expires (unless, of course, he starts scoring goals like a man possessed). He's never really done much for the Roar at the best of times. Let's hope Solorzano is as good as we hope he is.
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
If Solarzono can play then Brisbane will be a real threat for the title. Enjoy watching Costa B every time he touches the ball and likewise Broich (surface looked a bit slippery for the later on Saturday). LV's sub choices for Sydney FC were very uninspiring and I think Sydney should be really feeling the pressure now because the league looks very tight and I can't see teams going on a tear of 10 games unbeaten or such to move up the table. I thought that should have been a goal in the first half..... what did they say on Fox about it? Best A league game I have been too, Sydney and Brisbane are the two teams I am most interested in. The fact I was treated too Suncorp members seats and hospitality (free football and beer!) might have made me biased :) But Brisbane were fantastic with the ball but also without Theo and Partaluu were immense. Bit worried about their depth though but I hope they can keep it up. Bratten looks very young and small but one of his cross field passes was fantastic.
Stormin Red
Roar Rookie
The Roar are looking great this year and it is good to see that Ange has been vindicated for sticking to his guns. It seems clearing out the old legs has really freshened up the team and allowed them to actually turn that usual attacking dominance into some results. It is only very early days but the signs are definitely looking good. Can't wait to get out to some games but with the local season still going for a few more weeks, we keep having games at the same time as the Roar :(
agga78
Guest
Brisbane are playing the best football I have seen in the A league to date, in these 1st 2 matches they have played two teams who you would thik are going to be right in the mix, come finals time and have given them both a football lesson. As you point out they do need a goalscorer and they would hope the Costa Rican boy can be that player, Reinaldo should of been out the door, I think he was still under contract so they could not get rid of him, he is uesless and will not give the team anything if he is in the squad. The Brisbane public really need to get out and watch this very entertaining side play, If they can stay injury free, as their depth might not be great and can maintain this high tempo, one touch short passing game and maintain their pressing of opponents over the pitch for 90 minutes during the summer, they will win the league in a canter. The Brisbane versus Melbourne Heart, will be a very interesting game to watch as Brisbane are playing exactly the type of game John Vant schip has said his side is going to play, but have not yet fully delivered over 90 minutes unlike Brisbane, who have in their 1st two games.