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Even Miron Bleiberg, coach of the last-placed Gold Coast, is feeling sorry for Brisbane Roar mentor Ange Postecoglou ahead of their Boxing Day A-League derby at Skilled Park.
Gold Coast United’s Bleiberg admits the timing couldn’t have been better for his side to tackle the wounded defending champions.
But Bleiberg is scratching his head over the criticism aimed at Postecoglou after the Roar crashed to their fourth straight loss.
The knives came out after Brisbane went from holders of top-level Australian football’s greatest unbeaten streak to being the A-League’s No.2 side in less than a fortnight.
Postecoglou has refused to change tactics or his gameplan – and he has Bleiberg’s backing.
“Except for the game against Sydney (a 2-0 loss on December 4) they have not been outplayed by anyone,” Bleiberg said.
“I don’t know what people are complaining about.
“The game against Wellington (on December 14) was one of the most one-sided games where the better team lost I have seen since Wimbledon beat Liverpool in the FA Cup final (in 1988).
“I am with Ange.”
Postecoglou said the slump had provided a “good reality check” for his high flying side.
“We had 13 days where we have gone from the greatest ever team to everyone’s whipping boys,” he said.
“This is the reality of sport.
“We had a great run when a lot of things went our way.
“Now things aren’t. So be it.
“I am really confident with where we are at.
“As long as I am in charge we will keep doing what we are doing.”
Postecoglou even had a slight dig at the critics after Central Coast Mariners leapfrogged the Roar for top spot.
They lead the Roar by three points with a game in hand.
“I remember this time last year we were going really well in first position and everyone said ‘you haven’t won anything yet’,” he said.
“And as far as I know they are still not handing trophies out in December.
“I reckon when trophy time comes we will be there or thereabouts.”
And Postecoglou seemed miffed at the suggestion one win could turn their season around.
“We are about having something of substance rather than `let’s go down to the Gold Coast and get a scrappy draw or win so we can feel good and everyone can write nice things about us’,” he said.
“That’s not what we are about.
“And it should be even (on the ladder) – that’s the way the league is designed.
“There shouldn’t be a massive gap between teams.”
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