Saturday night’s pulsating 0-0 draw at Etihad Stadium between Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC has left A-League fans with plenty to ponder in the leadup to the second week of action. Here is what I learnt
Melbourne Victory
1. Victory will only get better
It is a different looking Melbourne side this season under Mehmet Durakovic and new staff, and they employed an interesting 4-2-3-1 with Thompson and Rojas on the wings and Kewell in behind Allsopp.
It will take time to adjust to the new system. I enjoyed watching Victory try to pass their way through in midfield and build up from the back, albeit slowly at times.
Can’t wait to see how it progresses throughout the season.
2. Harry has still got it
Harry looked in great touch on Saturday. Had a great touch and passed well. He was very unlucky not to score at least twice due to some great work by Liam Reddy.
3. Danny Allsopp and Billy Celeski aren’t first team players
With this season’s Victory squad full of attacking talent, there is competition for spots in the starting XI. Danny Allsopp is a hard working centre-forward who partners well with Archie Thompson.
However, he was poor on Saturday. Unlucky for him, Jean Carlo Solorzano is also keen on a starting spot.
When Solorzano came on, he looked likely to score. I would start him ahead of Allsopp this weekend.
Billy Celeski hasn’t been the same player he was since his knee injury. He was another who didn’t exactly set Etihad Stadium alight on the weekend.
Carlos Hernandez returns this week from international duty, he may replace Celeski.
4. Marco Rojas will be a star
The young New Zealander has pace to burn and loves to fly down the wing. He is a very exciting prospect, and watching him cause Scott Jamison headaches on the wing was great to watch.
However, his final pass needs work. He also looked shaky when going at goal, skimming the side netting after dribbling his way into the penalty box. Nonetheless, he will improve and will be a star.
5. Ante Covic is a new Melbourne hero
The 36-year old shot stopper had an outstanding match for his new club. Stopping a Brett Emerton set the crowd into frenzy and he pulled off many great saves. Tando Velaphi will have a fight on his hands to take the no.1 spot when he returns.
My final thought: interesting times at the Victory. They will probably change the side next week. I think they will go with a 4-4-1-1, with Kewell in behind Solorzano, Brebner and Hernandez in midfield, and Thompson and Rojas again on the wings.
Sydney FC
1. Sydney FC will be hard to beat this season
It is a different Sydney side this season. The defence looks tight with Bosschart and Beauchamp as centre backs, Coyne and Jamison at full-back and Terry McFlynn holding.
While the Victory had most of the play, the defence held firm and along with keeper Liam Reddy, managed to keep a clean sheet. They look like they are going to be hard to break down.
2. Carle is set for a big season
In the first game of the season, Carle looked like the very good player that he is. He looked like he was moving well and was at the centre of nearly all Sydney’s attacking forays.
Like Kewell, he will get better as the season goes on.
3. Brett Emerton will rebound
Emerton is a professional and would have been furious with himself at his saved penalty. He copped quite a bit from the crowd and looked nervous. He was solid, but didn’t stand out.
I’ll back him to rebound. His best position is right midfield and I think Lavicka will keep him there.
4. Why didn’t Bruno Cazarine start?
If I were Lavicka, I would be starting Cazarine. He was one of their better performers last season. He is tall, mobile and scores goals.
He should start him this week (mainly due to Bridge’s suspension), either with Makela in 4-4-2 diamond or the lone striker in a 4-2-3-1.
5. The line-up is settled…for now
I can’t see Sydney making too many changes to their best side at this early point in the season. It is predictable, boring even, and that is a credit to Lavicka and his coaching staff.
Either a 4-2-3-1 or a diamond 4-4-2 will be the line-up for Sydney. Reddy, Coyne, Bosschart, Beauchamp, Jamison, McFlynn, Antonis, Cole, Carle, Emerton and Cazarine in a 4-2-3-1 will be the likely line-up for their clash with Brisbane.
My final thought: Sydney will be up there this season and I expect them to make finals. A balanced and settled line-up should see them improve hugely from last season.
asanchez
Roar Guru
For Victory; - Allsopp can't start, he's not good enough. Solorzano should start upfront every game. He's a gun! - Pondeljak should hang up the boots, his days are over. - Celeski should be a bench player, and even then he's below average. Hasn't been the same since his knee injury. - Broxham should start, he's not a great player, but is improving, gets stuck in, wins the balls back, passing is ok. - Rojas is a star, this will most likely be his last season in the A-league. It's a pity hes a kiwi! - Harry still has it. Still needs matches for fitness. Once he is match fit he will light it up. Class above even at 70-80%. For Sydney; - Will have a stingy defense this season, with recruitment in defense seeming to be spot on with Bosschart, Beauchamp and Coyne. They won't concede many goals this season, hence will be hard to beat. - Emerton will get better, and eventually find his best position in the Sydney team. - Antonis is a star, already you can see his skill and his touch. Will be a top player for Sydney this season. - Nicky Carle looked really good against the Victory, this year looms as a huge year for him. - Sydney still lack another goalscorer, Bridge won't score many goals this season. Cazarine should do well, but they need another avenue to goal. If they don't sign any other strikers, Emerton, Carle and Bridge will have to share the goals.
Lorry
Guest
Totally 100% agree re Celeski and Allsop. Celeski used to be a gun prior to knee op. Not a shadow of that now. I would use Allsop as an impact player off the bench. Wastes far too many opportunities. Great servants of the club but as the league continues to improve in quality they just seem to have been left behind. Jury still out on Cernak for me. Turns over possession far too frequently when moving forward. Strong defensively but seems to lose his head when an attacking pass is required. Not quite sure if he is up to this level but will give him time to prove me wrong.....hopefully. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Football United
Guest
that would be ideal for me as well. also has cernak on the bench to slot in either side.
Tor
Guest
Yeah but who's that striker going to be? Really hope it's Solo with Arch & Marco on either side. Kewell behind Solo. Four players with great technique with some speed. Should be able to cause havoc.
Tor
Guest
And Carlos is back!!!!!!!!!
Football United
Guest
mehmet has already told everyone he is planning for a transition to 4-3-3 with kewell driving forward into the hole behind the striker.
Tor
Guest
No room for sentiment. Especially when there are better players sitting on the bench.
Michael
Guest
Great read Kate. One thing I would like to clear up: can someone please tell Fox Sports that it's Solorzaaaaahno, not Solooorzno?
Katie Lambeski
Roar Guru
thanks for the feedback...agree with you 100%
Danny_Mac
Roar Guru
Billy Celeski hasn’t been the same player he was since his knee injury. He was another who didn’t exactly set Etihad Stadium alight on the weekend. Got it in one. I've been saying this pretty much since he came back. I loved him at the Glory and was totally bemused when Merrick moved him into a more defensive position, but what an inspired move. In the game against Perth at AAMI early last season, I think Jacob Burns got him with a 50-50 and he jarred the knee. He was annoymous after that, and has conceded all the 40-60s let alone 50-50s. It is heartbreaking, because he was my favourite Victory player...
Danny_Mac
Roar Guru
While I think Cernak could do a job there, I think he would be wasted... He will be good cover for Harry, Archie and Marco...
Katie Lambeski
Roar Guru
Ryall would be pushing for a start, no doubt....Hernandez needs to show he can contribute both defensively and in attack, that will keep him in the XI
Katie Lambeski
Roar Guru
i would rather only one holding mid...Broxham I think will get a start soon...you may be onto something re: Cernak, doesn't sound like a bad idea to me
Katie Lambeski
Roar Guru
Carlos' weight has been an issue, but he looked thinner when I saw him at the open training sesh, i think he realises that he needs to earn his spot and will improve his defensive side as well
Katie Lambeski
Roar Guru
im quite sad about it actually...both have provided the MVFC and its fans with alot of memories, i really hope they prove me wrong
TomC
Guest
Agree with a lot of the points above, but I think playing Hernandez in place of Celeski would be a recipe for disaster. The Victory already have too many players that don't contribute defensively. I suspect Broxham will take Celeski's spot. Not that he was much better. Agree that Solorzano should replace Allsopp. I thought Coyne was rubbish for Sydney. If he keeps playing like that I'd imagine he'll make way for Ryall.
Axelv
Guest
The team is going to have 2 defensive midfielders, if it's not Brebner and Celeski, it'll be Brebner and Broxham. I wonder though if Cernak could fill the position.
collin
Guest
agree. drop allsopp for solorzano, allsopp is not a bad player, he is hard working and shows complete commitment but his lack of finesse in front of goal lets us down time and time again. solorzano deserves to be given a good crack to show what he can do, the players we have are more 'on the ground fast passing players' and they will suit a striker with more finesse. allsopp did well when we used to boot the ball up the line as much as possible, this season, the system will be different. celeski for hernandez is a no brainer, he is still a great player and maybe with competition for his place he will step up a gear. the downside with hernandez is lack of commitment. god dammit carlos get in shape already! i used to make the guy pizzas when i was still at uni, hed come in and order family sized bbq chickens! im not a pro athlete and even i dont eat family pizzas! lift your game carlos and get in shape! you should have at least ordered the goats cheese and prosciutto!
Tor
Guest
RE: MV Agree with all points!!!!!!!!! Carlos is still away on international duty so won't be playing on Friday. Brox in for Billy I suspect. If Billy and Danny start again I will do my nut.