If there was one thing we can take from the opening round of this much anticipated A-League season, it was that two of the new managers, former Socceroos John Aloisi and Tony Popovic, are more than ready to develop their work on this stage.
While it’s far too early to cast an absolute judgment, you couldn’t help but be impressed by their debuts as managers.
If first impressions count for anything, then we’re set for more fascinating work from both.
Remember, these are two guys who haven’t previously coached their own first 11, at any level.
Only three seasons ago they were teammates at Sydney FC before Popovic took his first step into the assistant role under Vitezslav Lavicka.
Aloisi, meanwhile, retired at the end of the 2010/11 season and has only had one season as an assistant.
Here they were up against two of the most experienced and successful coaches in the A-League, Ange Postecoglou and Graham Arnold, and were able to come away with tactical wins.
It was more than impressive, a statement of belief in their own ability and that of their players.
In truth, it shouldn’t come as huge surprise to find two football students, that have played under various managers in many leagues around the world, do well here.
The A-League, especially in its first few years, was crying out for an uplift in the quality of its coaches as most clubs made mistake after mistake, recycling an older generation or spending too much on imports.
The new breed, too often, couldn’t get a look-in.
Sydney FC, in hiring Lavicka, led the way in instilling a more professional European set-up, only for the likes of Postecoglou and Arnold to go well beyond him in the past two seasons.
Their success against more expensive foreign managers has shown clubs across Australia that their is a future for educated local managers.
FFA’s technical director Han Berger has certainly helped spread the gospel about the importance of coaching education and ensuring managers are suitably accredited.
This is now starting to reap rewards with a greater level of tactical and technical sophistication, adding quality to the standard of the competition.
This was on evidence right across the first round, with many teams setting up to press their opponents high, and doing it in an organised and structured way.
Aloisi and Popovic’s work was certainly among the most impressive, using differing but effective tactical templates to control their respective opponents.
Aloisi was up first in a pulsating Melbourne Derby on Friday night and used a high pressing game to put pressure on Postecoglou’s Victory.
They were hoping to play through the lines but really struggled to get the ball consistently out of the first defensive line.
What was so impressive about Aloisi’s pressing game was not only how organised and sustained it was, but the way he used his personnel to instil the plan.
To my mind, in playing mobile, hard-working types like Dylan Macallister, Mate Dugandzic, David Williams, Richard Garcia, Fred and Matt Thompson in the front six, you have the ability to execute the plan.
It proves that any plan needs to have the right troops, and I’m not quite convinced either Sydney FC or the Victory have the cattle to execute the passing games they want to play.
Aloisi and Popovic’s work appears more detailed, about choosing the right player for the job.
Take Macallister. He is not a classic goal-scoring number nine and his attributes are more about hard work and physicality.
Here his pressing on Adrian Leijer and Mark Milligan really set the tone for the Heart’s control.
Leijer, in particular, had a night to forget, and might not fancy similar pressing from Besart Berisha on the weekend.
Meanwhile, another tactical success in the Derby was the use of Richard Garcia in a three-man midfield as part of a 4-3-3.
It’s not a position we’re used to seeing Garcia in. His career has been notable more for his wing play, and often in a 4-4-2.
But again, by playing him in midfield, you get to use one of Garcia’s best attributes, his pace, as part of the pressing process, and he gave the likes of Jonathan Bru and Leigh Broxham a torrid time here.
The other feature of Aloisi’s pressing system was the fact it involved the entire team, and involved central defenders Simon Colosimo and Patrick Gerhardt defending high up the pitch.
This might be a risky option, as goalkeeper Clint Bolton hinted in the build-up, but it’s also one that can bring rewards if executed well, and Aloisi is to be commended for taking such a proactive approach.
Meanwhile, at Parramatta on Saturday, in a great debut night for the Western Sydney Wanderers, Popovic used a slightly different approach but was still able to stifle his opponent.
Letting the Mariners have the ball in their own half, the Wanderers weren’t too interested in pressing high.
Instead they stayed compact and waited for the Mariners to make it into their half. When Arnold’s men did, the Wanderers swarmed around the man on the ball, dispossessing him and launching quick counters into the space left up front, usually in behind the fullbacks.
Even Tom Rogic, the Mariners’ talented number 10, struggled to consistently create anything as the supply into strikers Mitchell Duke and Mile Sterjovski was stopped at the source.
Rarely were the Mariners able to get in behind, happy to venture back up the F3 with a point.
The Wanderers basically suffocated the Mariners, controlling the game through their organisation, defensive structure and swift transition.
It was clever, calculated stuff from Popovic. One of the impressive facets was that the defensive line wasn’t sitting on the 18 yard box, or “parking the bus” as it’s otherwise known. It was a high line.
It meant the team was in touch, and when they won the ball and looked to spring forward, usually through the wonderful technique of Aaron Mooy, there were attackers in touch.
On this night Popovic’s front third were wasteful, but the fact he has got them understanding their job in such a short space of time speaks highly to his knowledge.
It’s this type of detailed tactical preparation that should help these two rookie managers compete this season and continue to propel the A-League standard forward.
Parrot
Guest
What are you on about WSW just parked the proverbial bus! Aloisi got lucky with lazy Victory defending.
fadida
Guest
That's one angry little ant. Again, my points is simply most teams are trying to play modern progressive football and clubs are working really hard to try and improve the quality of the league. Tactically most are more advanced than before. I'm not claiming it to be greatest league in the world, but teams are trying. They are looking to develop young players (which you agree with- I read your posts- so angry!) and the way to do it is by trying to play a technical, tactical possession based style. Yet you almost mock this approach, saying Australian teams can't play this way, but can't offer an alternative solution. The solution I have put forward is a patient approach where the focus on tactics and technique will develop good players, and start an upward trend in quality, and interest. I am more than familiar with the championship. It's a poor quality, exciting at times league where most teams play 442,451, and knock balls into channels for fast runners. Most keepers roll the ball outside their boxes and kick long. It's physical and basic. That few players are picked up by the technically average premier league highlights the type of players it produces.Your mocking of Dortmund and the Bundesliga shows a lack of football knowledge which costs you any credibility that you may have had left (after calling those who dare disagree with you "FOOLS" "MUPPETS",- why the shouting. Are you Neil Warnock?). But you criticise a-league teams whose approach is like the ...... Championship??? So in summary, the league is "awful" but you aren't negative. You want teams to entertain but they can't play from the back and aren't good enough. Too many teams play route 1, but you defend the championship. We're all doomed, but you offer no solutions. You are a genius, and we are all "MUPPETS" as we don't hold the EPLcentric opinions. I look forward to a SHOUTED response. :) Oh and happy to discuss JVS so called neat football. Some serious problems with his tactics that us CLOWNS could have fixed easily for him ;)
Bondy.
Guest
Gees your a narc hey, we've had record crowds record veiwership and your here stressing the quality of the league is dead or bordering on dead,yes there were some games on the weekend that lacked technical nouse but at least three of the five were decent technically thinking strategic exciting games,nothing but a bit of general rust ,remember sir your virtually saying the technical standard of the league is dead and you've concluded this after one round,nobody is evaluating anything technically out of one round its crazy to derive a pattern. Cheer up a bit mate everybody aspires to take this league forwards not backwards.
Bondy.
Guest
Your very negative about football in Australia Mac, whats the problem !
Realfootball
Guest
Jeez, Villa B, bit hot under the collar there. All in good spirit, I hope. Tis only a game, after all. There is, I think it is fair to say, a fine line between ruthlessness and butchery. Have to be careful not kill the patient on the table. Round 1, in technical terms, was pretty dire, and I sincerely hope round 2 is an improvement. I don't think there is really any disputing your key points. The issue seems to be to what extent we can live with - have to live with - the problems. My hunch is that the standard will improve rapidly over the first 4 rounds. And yes, the standard wasn't great, but their was no shortage of entertainment, if you overlook the awful Sydney FC. Even in that game, we had the spectacle of Louis Fenton in full flight, tearing Emerton to shreds, and that was something to behold. An unmitigated pleasure.
Villa_B
Roar Guru
I hope the Mariners are trying to change their style but its going to be difficult for a coach like Graham Arnold. Physicality is key for him.
Villa_B
Roar Guru
We are talking about young coaches. Its easy to appoint an experienced coach but appointing a young Australian coach should be applauded.
Villa_B
Roar Guru
Your a fool bringing up Aston Villa. Do actually read what you write. Absolute Muppet you are. I know Aston Villa don't play great football. What's your point? EPL Forums? What the hell are you talking about. Have a look at my previous articles? I hardly go on forums you muppet. You don't get it do you. Why can Ange and JVS get teams to play neat football and others play horrible stuff. Why are their so many turnovers and basic passes going astray in this league. Why do clubs spend millions of dollars recruiting players like Ahmed Elrich and Nicky Carle. We have had seven years to build a product worth selling to commercial networks. We need money from these networks. And we have clowns like you continually protecting this league. We need to be ruthless for this league to be sustained. Bringing up the fact I support Aston Villa is a joke. Your obviously a joke of a person.
whiskeymac
Guest
arnold and postecoglou already trod a path worn by mckinna, culina, merrick, farina and kossie or we just forgetting previous succesful HAL aussie coaches (even if some did have accents).
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
I didn't say you can't appreciate how good football should be played. However, if you watch Aston Villa you should be acclimatised to watching rubbish. And, whilst you can aspire for greater things from the HAL (we all do) any reasonable football fan - I stress the adjective "reasonable" - should understand "beautiful football" is not easy to play; nor is it played very often at the elite level. Do you also frequent the "EPL forums" lamenting the poor technique & naive tactics being employed by the EPL teams? Or, do you save all your vitriol for the HAL?
Villa_B
Roar Guru
So anybody that doesn't support a top team has no idea about how football should be played. Wake up to yourself son, your an embarrassment. More ridicule to be aimed at you. That comment is utterly pathetic. How stupid can one person be. Have I ever mentioned Aston Villa? The clowns this site produces.
jamesb
Guest
Watching the WSW match, it felt like a real football match. Atmosphere was right, so was the stadium. The way WSW went about their business from Day One suggests that WSW are building the foundations for a great future. I think the Mariners are trying to change their style with the likes of Rogic in the thick of it. All in all, the A-league has the right ten teams in place. Don't expand for another five years!
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Got to say I can't stop laughing at a bloke, who presumably supports Aston Villa, lamenting the quality of football being played in the HAL. The last time I saw Villa playing anything remotely attractive was 30 years ago when Tony Morley & Gary Shaw were tearing along the wings at Villa Park. I'd be surprised if Villa_B was alive 30 years ago. If a fan of Barcelona, RM, Bayern, BVB, etc. complained about the quality of HAL I'd listen. But, Aston Villa ... oh dear oh dear!
Villa_B
Roar Guru
No but if you want this league to survive we need to improve it. It needs an identity. You just don't see that. It's sad but when the day comes you like many other people will wonder what went wrong.
Punter
Guest
Yes I agree, why bother!!! You don't like the A-League, that is not an issue, go & follow the EPL & Championship & leave this pathetic A-League to us poor souls.
Villa_B
Roar Guru
Why do I bother? You obviously don't read anything I write. Your another fan that wants to believe this league is great when its not. I continue to tell you it has been eight seasons and the style displayed by most teams isn't satisfactory. I won't even take into consideration your analysis of the championship. It's obvious you don't watch it. We need to develop more young players in this league. Their are too many players that are not to this standard. Why you can't understand this is beyond me. Your another fan that wants to believe it's improving. Two coaches have played neat football, Ange and JVS. This is what we need to promote. How can you say Central Coast try and play. Are you deluded? They have been trying for 2 seasons under Graham Arnold and even Ange knows all they do is press hard and play physical. Learn to understand that finding mistakes helps improve something. Newcastle try and play? Wellington have hardly ever tried and played. Adelaide under Rini Coolen were awful. Should I go on.
Stevo
Guest
I wasn't impressed with Haydn Foxe's getup. Looked like an over-age, hairy legged ball boy :)
nordster
Guest
VillaB i agree about the technical standards being developmental ...but all the same it is also a competitive football league. So its also about results. Call Arnie Football ugly but it is winning and effective...reigning Premiers...some years teams will prioritise trophies, others will look to build. Its a rare joy to see a team do both...but then if it wasnt rare would it be such a joy? For our league if we get a team like that every couple of years we will be lucky. Remembering that any team that gets too good will be pegged back by the....level playing field, even competition mentality of strayan sport...yes folks, the salary cap haha...
Ballymore
Guest
I completely disagree. We need to use friendlies as an opportunity to play Jade North and David Carney more.
fadida
Guest
So the league based on 1, that's 1 round is "awful". Very positive :) The championship is hardly a league to praise as most sides there don't try to play good football. Fast paced, physical, technically and tactically poor. 442, get it in the mixer... Teams are trying to play. That in your opinion they are "awful" doesn't take away the validity of my point - they are trying to play. Whether they succeed or not does not change this fact. Have you any solutions? It's seems to me you've given up?