If the first half of Sydney FC’s pre-season is any pointer to Frank Farina’s plans for the A-League season, there’s every chance we might see Nicky Carle in a new role at the base of Sydney’s three-man midfield.
Carle’s new role as a deep-lying enabler was just one of the hints from Sydney’s comfortable and impressive 6-0 win over outclassed state league outfit Belmore United at Sydney Olympic Park last night.
Only a fortnight out from Sydney’s pre-season friendly against J-League outfit Sagan Tosu in Japan, Farina gave an early insight into his first team thoughts by setting his men out in a 4-3-3, which featured new signings Matt Jurman, Marc Warren, Pedj Bojic and Corey Gamiero, and the returning Carle.
In the second half there was an entirely new 11.
One of the questions heading into the season is just how Farina plans to use both Carle and Alessandro Del Piero, ostensibly number 10s, in the same 11.
Here there was a bit of a surprise, with Carle starting as a lone pivot, pulling the strings from a deep play-making role, with the more dynamic Brett Emerton and Rhyan Grant advance of him, to his right and left respectively.
While the opponent was very weak, Sydney gave an insight into the type of proactive possession-based football it undoubtedly hopes to take into the season proper, with Carle the fulcrum.
If they can replicate it against better opponents, then Sydney’s fans may have something to enjoy after a frustrating few seasons.
There were signs of the Brisbane Roar and Central Coast Mariners in the way Sydney set up, with the two centre backs – Sebastian Ryall and Jurman – splitting, allowing the number 6, Carle, to drop in between them and start the play.
Much of the first half went through him, Carle spreading the ball left and right, forward and back, dictating Sydney’s tempo.
In the meantime, the two fullbacks, Bojic on the right and Warren on the left, always had a high starting position, allowing Carle, Jurman and Ryall to play forward to them.
The shape and the way Sydney played out through Carle reminded me of the way the Roar under Ange Postecoglou did it through Erik Paartalu.
It is perhaps an early indicator into the influence Rado Vidosic has already had as Farina’s assistant, and the talk has been of double and triple session to hone the template.
The early signs are positive.
While Terry McFlynn may become available at some point, the difference between he and Carle as the team’s enabler couldn’t be starker.
Carle is the type that always wants the ball, even under intense pressing, whereas McFlynn is often seen encouraging his defenders to pass it to others, or bypass the midfield.
If Farina is inclined to go with Carle as a deep-lying playmaker, it augurs well for a vastly improved Sydney season.
Certainly the use of Emerton and Grant as mobile and powerful central midfielders should provide plenty of forward penetration, and their influence against Belmore was clear in the way they got into the box for the opening two goals.
As well, they are dynamic enough to drive back and lend defensive support to Carle, not allowing him to become isolated.
One of the big challenges for Sydney this season is for their defence to maintain a high line, allowing the entire unit to remain compact.
If they retreat, as they have often done in recent years, the midfield could get isolated in transition.
The signs are that the squad looks in good early condition, and there was a confidence in the way they zipped the ball around on a slippery surface.
Certainly the tempo of ball and body movement was too much for a Belmore team that tried to play with a high line and kept getting caught in behind by Sydney’s drive.
Sydney had particular joy at getting the ball wide and to the byline, with Joel Chianese and Ryan Griffiths tucking-in to allow the fullbacks to over-lap.
Meanwhile, Grant and Emerton chipped in, helping overload their respective flanks. The left side, with Warren, Grant and Chianese combining, for once looked functional.
Had Gamiero and Chianese had their finishing boots on, Sydney may have had five or six by the break.
Gamiero, playing at nine, likes a shot and looks like he’ll score a few, but it was hard not to think about how Del Piero would fit into the 4-3-3 system if this is how Farina decides to go.
The encouraging thing here though is that Sydney FC appear to be building a template where they might produce football that means they aren’t so reliant on their Italian legend.
Sydney FC (4-3-3)
First half
—————Janjetovic————–
—————————————-
Bojic—–Ryall—-Jurman—–Warren
—————————————-
—————–Carle—————-
———Emerton——-Grant———
—————————————-
—-Griffiths————–Chianese—-
—————-Gamiero—————-Second half
—————Necevski—————-
—————————————-
Esposito—Tiago—Petkovski—-Clifford
—————————————-
—————Triantis—————–
——-Gligor————Abbas———
—————————————-
—MacDonald————-Mallia——
—————–Naumoff————–
William McInnes
Roar Pro
Great to see Frank shaking it up and re-inventing! Who would have thought Nicky Carle could play as a deep midfielder! Fantastic work and this new brand of football, with Del Piero at the head should be really exciting and much more favourable to the type of players Sydney has!
Bondy
Guest
Nice read Tony , I tend to agree the difference between Carle and McFlynn as ball players is quite different obvious really. I think one of the keys for Sydney Fc this year will be as to how much tracking back ADP does or has to do, he's tracking back last year was phenomenal so much so it nearly killed him every game and he still performed. Every year the A League is getting harder and harder to win and with some very solid marquees its great.
Robbie
Roar Pro
Who said McFlynn should play? It's unlikely he'll be captain this year as he will just be bench warming. Regardless I would prefer to not even see him on the bench. There are young exciting prospects who warrant a position on the bench far more
Punter
Guest
Brilliant!!!!!
Soccerboy
Guest
I never realised how many experts we have who are telling the coaches what to do before the season starts. Wake up to yourselves I don't think you could kick a beachball
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
I dare they would be, and they'd do well in it as well. I doubt very much though that the FFA will allow and participation in areas where an existing FFA endorsded seniot product (A-League, NPL) is in place. Hence the attraction of places such as NT, Canberra, Northern Queensland, Tasmania (though the costs associated with flying from Asia to Tassie, and possibly even Canberra, may prove prohibitive).
nachos supreme
Guest
Much different league these days. Not saying Dwight wouldn't have made it work but.... Anyways, I'd like to see ADP float in the hole, With Grant and Emmo tucking in defensively when needed?
AZ_RBB
Guest
maybe the likes of South Melbourne might be interested?
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
This is a topic by itself, Mid. The ASEAN Super League has a few sides/expressions of interest signed (none from Cambodia may I add!) and there is some opposition from some of the stronger leagues who feel it will detract from their own product. I am also unsure as to where the money will come from; it is a concept that may struggle to gain traction and will most likely require franchises to be established. If we participated we'd need to have clubs included that were not a part of the A-League. It could provide an interesting avenue for some of the NYL sides however my preference would be for a side from the NT to be formed for the ASEAN League. It would provide professional football to the Top End without the costs associated with being the A-League. This is turn would allow a club to grow there that one day may have sufficient resources to join an expanded A-League. Perhaps something similar could be done with Northern Queensland. A return of the Fury? Certainly it gives us more options.
AZ_RBB
Guest
"ASEAN Super League (ASL), due to kick off in 2015, would restrict participating countries to field only two clubs each, and the eight month season will mean they will not be able to compete in their domestic leagues." thanks but no thanks.
Borganstein
Guest
I was at the game and was really surprised at the formation. 4-3-3. Seemed to work well (albeit against Belmore) with Carle sitting really deep, pretty much having the first touch of the attacking movement. I just wonder where that leaves McFlynn? To be fair McFlynn did a massive job last season as defensive midfielder, although Carle is just so much more comfortable on the ball with some fantastic distribution and vision. Maybe as a substitute? Coming on in the second half to bolster defensive structure? Grant look just as sharp as last season, doing massive job bombing forward and tracking back in defense. He must have stolen the ball back 6 or 7 times. Marc Warren looks quite good as well, seems to a proper left sided wingback. Gameiro has some positional movement although seriously needs to be work on his finishing under pressure because he could have scored three or four in that first half. Im liking the new attacking minded formation, looking forward to how we do in Japan and Italy.
Midfielder
Guest
Tony Sorry about going off topic ... but we are now part of ASEAN.... wonders aloud why this has not been a huge announcement by FFA...or reported by the media at all .... July 10 - ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) secretary-general Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad has welcomed Australia's upcoming accession to full membership whilst firming up the details of the planned ASEAN Super League. http://www.insideworldfootball.com/world-football/asia/12859-aff-to-bring-in-australia-and-announces-super-league-criteria
Borganstein
Guest
He's a talent, got muscled off the ball a bit since he's tiny. Although he's touch and vision are phenomenal.
cliffclavin
Guest
How did the Gligor kid go? - i have only seen him in patches [being a MVFC fan] ... but he looks a decent player
Midfielder
Guest
Farking Brilliant
Midfielder
Guest
AZ_RBB Thanks and we just signed a Dutch defender he really looks the goods .. 31 played Dutch first div... We have three places left to complete our squad [i.e. 20 players signed] one is a keeper and the other two who knows ...
Towser
Guest
C'mon, this is the real sauce of the Mariners success:- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmF2_6BuyWU
AZ_RBB
Guest
A lot going right for CCM. 6 home games against Jets, WSW and SFC. McGlinchey, Hutchinson, McBreen, Flores, Rose and Sainsbury on the pitch. Arnold at the helm. Defender champions alongside their name. Financial security from Charlesworth. Another season in the ACL. The COE.....and i'm sure there's more. Things are looking up for Yellow.
Cameron
Roar Guru
I agree with you completely Mid. The greatest aspect each club adds to the Aleague is the fact no club is willing to sit idly by abs watch and fall by the way side. They're constantly developing youth, driving membership campaigns, improving football technique, coaching and formations..football is continuing this upward trend and each year it is becoming more important than the last for football in Australia.
Titus
Guest
Sure Mid.....I am pleasantly suprised with the way we are looking to play given how we were playing at the back end of last season. I will wait a bit before I get too excited because it is still to be seen how they go against quality opposition.