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It is the Mike Mulvey show at Brisbane Roar and after seeing his side storm into the semi-finals last season, the Mancunian could well be in charge of the competition dark horses this time around.
What happened last season
It was a tale of two halves in a different way for Brisbane Roar last season, as the club struggled to make the transition to a post-Postecoglou era.
Postecoglou’s former assistant Rado Vidosic was the man charged with keeping the good times rolling at Suncorp Stadium, but he’d been shunted aside by Round 12, allowing one-time Gold Coast United caretaker Mulvey to step into the fold.
After a slow start of his own, Mulvey suddenly sparked the Roar into life and one defeat in their final seven games saw the defending champions cruise into the finals, where Adelaide United were impressively dispatched 2-1 in the hostile confines of Hindmarsh Stadium.
The Western Sydney juggernaut proved a bridge too far as the Roar succumbed 2-0 at a rocking Parramatta Stadium, but rivals will no doubt be wary of the Roar’s late-season surge and what it means for the coming campaign.
One significant hiccup was the Roar’s shock AFC Champions League playoff defeat to Buriram United in February, however the failure to finish in an ACL spot for next year will allow Mulvey to focus exclusively on domestic matters this time around.
What happened in the off-season
The Roar have been in punishing pre-season form, smashing Brisbane Strikers 11-0 and crushing Olympic FC 11-1 for good measure.
If that wasn’t impressive enough, the A-League teams dispatched makes for ominous reading too, as Melbourne Heart, reigning champions Central Coast, Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC were all thumped by a rampant Roar.
One man in particular can’t seem to keep his name out of the headlines, with Besart Berisha scoring pre-season goals for fun – including an impressive hat-trick in a 3-0 win over the Heart in Lismore.
And with the scheming Liam Miller signing on from Perth Glory – how he will get on with Berisha is anyone’s guess – and prodigal son Matt McKay returning from China, the Roar look a stronger outfit than last season.
Youngsters Diogo Ferreria and Dimi Petratos add depth following a clear-out of some experienced personnel, while promoted youth team flyer Kwame Yeboah should give the Roar an x-factor off the bench.
Why Brisbane Roar fans should be excited about the 2013/14 season
Those in the know give meticulous Mancunian coach Mulvey big wraps, and the Roar tactician has now had a full pre-season in which to implement his plans for the campaign.
In Berisha and the mercurial Thomas Broich, the Roar already possessed two of the best import players in the competition’s history – and the addition of Irishman Miller from Perth Glory will only strengthen the squad further.
Miller could well prove the missing link in the Roar midfield, scheming from deep to allow Broich to concentrate solely on attacking duties in a squad laden with genuine firepower.
If the returning McKay can also rediscover the form which once made him the A-League’s poster boy, the Roar could score goals galore courtesy of an arsenal of attacking talent.
If questions remain, it’s at the back. Michael Theo endured a patchy campaign between the posts last season, while time appears to be slowly catching up with Shane Stefanutto’s ageing legs.
Socceroos regular Jade North and gritty skipper Matt Smith will marshal the defence, but the Roar still look vulnerable to angled balls played in behind the full-backs.
The main man that can carry Brisbane Roar’s hopes
More than Broich, McKay and Miller, one name stands out.
Besart Berisha rattled home 14 goals last season – and critics said he was out of form. If the Albanian’s pre-season is anything to go by, he could be in for another prolific campaign in front of goal.
So much of Brisbane’s form is based on confidence, so if Berisha can get off to a flyer he could spark Broich back into life, after the German endured a mediocre campaign last time out.
The addition of both McKay and Miller could also help boost Broich, but for all the former Johnny Warren Medal’s scheming, it is Berisha who could hold the key to the Roar’s fortunes.
Verdict – Finals contenders
If Adelaide United are an unknown quantity, then Brisbane Roar should be considered the competition’s genuine dark horse.
The Queensland outfit have plenty going for them; the recent experience of back-to-back championships, a world-class playmaker and one of the A-League’s most prolific strikers, a returning prodigal son and a coach desperate to prove himself.
The spotlight may shine more brightly on the likes of Western Sydney and Melbourne Victory, but a finals spot looks well within Brisbane’s reach – after which, anything could happen.