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The 2013-14 A-league edition should be an amazing one, possibly the best yet. There is much to look forward to, both on the field and on TV and the fans are all greatly looking forward to it.
It seems like a woefully bad idea to make any sort of prediction, not to mention hubris of the worst kind, to make any predictions as to how teams will do this season when neither a ball has been kicked, nor a whistle blown.
Yet, nevertheless, if nothing else than for the humour of my friends, I shall put out my opinions for them to laugh at, when my predictions prove woefully inadequate. And as a former soccer referee, I can at least appreciate the familiar sound of 50% of people not liking my decisions.
The following predictions are based largely on coaching, form and transfers which will, hopefully spark some debate at least.
Moving on up?
Melbourne Victory
You don’t get a premiership and two championships each in the A-League and NSL by being anything other than an awesome coach, and the way that Ange turned Brisbane Roar into the envy of the A-League and massively improved an underperforming Melbourne Victory, is truly enviable. They should be and do even better this season.
In spite of the loss of Flores and Rojas, the addition of Contreras, Barbarousses and Nichols, plus some NYL promotions, should more than compensate. Ange did a great job last season, and helped them to live up to their name again.
One suspects he’s not finished yet.
Brisbane Roar
Brisbane seem to have their confidence, flair and skill back. Their off-season has been brilliant, their players who had a bit of a bad run last season are invigorated, their back-line looks amazing and have all played for Australia (North, Smith, Franjic, Stefannuto), their midfielders have looked unstoppable, with Broich, McKay and Miller there, and fans will be looking forward to seeing what Berisha and Yeboah will do together up front.
In short, we will see more of the Brisbane of two or three seasons back (with an exciting Mike Mulvey twist) and less of the debacle of the first half of last season.
Wellington Phoenix
The appointment of Ernie Merrick is a brilliant idea, and though they will struggle towards the start, as the season progresses they should improve both over the course or the season, and of course, relative to last season.
He should bring the institutional change Phoenix have long needed, but Herbert couldn’t bring whilst simultaneously coaching New Zealand. Their transfers, including their Costa Rican connections, will benefit them, and set them up for a good season, though probably not the silverware.
Melbourne Heart
Whilst experience can just be a codeword for over-the-hill, it will help MH this season. Whilst Engelaar, Kewell, Kisnorbo, Mifsud, Wielaert and Murdocca are hardly the young guns you’d usually be hoping for, they are good players that should raise the standard of the Heart’s game.
Eraltay’s handy to have back as well. Whilst Heart will play better this season and as amazing as Aloisi was as a player, it probably is time to get a different coach, maybe John Kosmina. Although it seems they will start well, they will struggle towards the end of the season.
Sydney F.C.
Sydney should benefit from the coaching team of Farina and Vidosic, who will make an excellent team.
Farina has laid some good foundations for the season ahead. Vidosic, despite his disastrous foray into head coaching, is an amazing assistant coach, one of the best in the league, and will bring technical depth.
Sydney should also benefit from the transfers made in the off-season, particularly the return of Nicky Carle, and a more healthy playing culture this season. Sydney should also do a bit better this season, and make the finals, though a top of the table finish seems unlikely.
Some struggles ahead?
Central Coast Mariners
Graham Arnold is an amazing coach, and narrowly noses out Ange Postecoglou as the best coach in the A-League. Additionally, CCM have the best player development pathway and youth development processes in the A-League.
However, CCM’s practice of exporting players and using the transfer fees to cover the bills will finally, after several seasons, catch up with them. Whilst it’s great to have Flores, and even better to have Simon back, the collective export of players like Ryan, Bozanic, Bozic, Rogic, Amini and Ibini-Isei going into this season or mid-last season will have an effect on the amazing level that they usually play at.
The ACL will also drain them. They will still have a reasonable, even good season. But it is difficult to see a premiership or championship coming their way this year, for the first time in a few years.
Perth Glory
A focus on youth is the right strategy for PG, but it won’t pay off enough this season. De Silva, particularly, has amazing potential.
The loss of Miller and Heffernan will hurt them in the short term, though, and it is not guaranteed that the team will click well until later in the season.
Adelaide United
Fans are looking forward to seeing the style of football played by Adelaide this season in spite of the club disintegration experienced towards the end of last season.
Gombau should set up some good foundations and techniques, but he won’t be able to change the culture overnight. The gain of Elrich and Zullo should shore up their defence despite the loss of Fyfe, but the loss of Vidosic, Juric and Ramsay should affect them.
There are additional concerns about their ability to control the play in the midfield.
More of the same
Newcastle Jets
They should improve a bit this season as it progresses, and Burns and Gibbs will help with that, but one can’t see them winning this season.
WSW
A great coaching debut, turning largely under-appreciated Aussie players and some great imports into an amazing and cohesive strike force. Expecting similar success this season, though some of the other sides should lift.
So, what do you think?
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