Goalkeeper Michael Theo doesn’t want to be anywhere near Besart Berisha if the star striker finds himself omitted from the A-League leader Brisbane Roar’s line-up for Saturday’s clash with Adelaide United.
Berisha is expected to be available for the visit by the Reds after missing the past two weeks with a hip injury but his place in the starting XI is far from assured given how well the Roar have performed in his absence.
A 5-2 away win over Sydney FC was followed up by a 3-0 thrashing of Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park, with young gun attacker Dimitri Petratos scoring four goals in those fixtures.
It means coach Mike Mulvey faces a hard decision on whether to alter a winning line-up to bring back Berisha, who leads the Roar’s scoring charts with five strikes despite making just seven appearances in an injury-hit campaign.
“I wouldn’t want to be Mike giving him that news,” Theo said of the Albanian possibly finding himself on the bench.
“He’s the best striker in the league and surely will only strengthen our squad. When Besart’s on song, there’s no stopping him.
“It’s a great problem to have as a team. Obviously Mike’s going to have to make some tough calls.”
Former Socceroo Shane Stefanutto could also be available for selection after his long absence with a hamstring injury.
Where the 33-year-old would come back into the team is an easier call for Mulvey with youngster Corey Brown unavailable due to his commitments with the Australian side at the Asian under-22 championships in Oman.
The Roar’s brand of football is also creating a buzz among observers with their opening goal against the Victory – a 21-pass movement all over the pitch before Liam Miller stroked the ball home – branded the best ever in the A-League by former Socceroo Mark Bosnich.
Not that Theo is getting anxious about missing out on the fun as he watches his teammates dominate from the goalkeeper’s position.
“I love my position, I’ve got the best seat in the house,” he said.
“So long as the ball’s on the other side and we’re putting goals in that end as opposed to conceding them.”
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Mullen may be a better choice. That or Elsey stepping up.
Franko
Guest
Also slightly unrelated news, but less so. Antony Golec is being released by AU and heading to China. Out of favour with Gombau, but an amazing time to leave considering our playing stocks are so low. Hopefully Eddy Bosnar, or dare I say it, Luca$ are set to come in, I'd be happy with that.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Mel wasn't that great when she started with Fox Football. She got better with time. Tara has had similar positions in the past but not with as much responsibility. She will improve certainly. Surprisingly Mel is still a big advocate of football and the A-League. She seems to be at every WSW game.
Doc
Roar Rookie
On a completely separate topic, Mel Mclaughlin is terribly wasted as a front for the 'Big Bash League'. A January transfer back into the A-League ranks in place for the hopeless Tara Rushton would be appreciated.
clayts
Guest
Might as well call them the Pelicans
The Bear
Guest
I wouldn't want to see any changes for the starting 11. I'd say let Stef bench this one and inject BB as a super sub. Both are coming off injuries and it may be wiser to let the team gel a bit more. Who knows we may lose others to injury later and there is always a prospect of BB going to another League (??). Mulvey may have unearthed something even better than what he had somewhat inherited. Whether by design or accident it's quite possible that Brisbane have evolved into a true super team with it's own identity that is not simply a copy of Barca. With a culture of team play and diversity rather than over reliance on just one plan of attack(er).
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Gombau has the toughest selection calls to make - how many of the NYL side are going to be offered their senior debut and who is going to miss out (not many, by the looks of the injury list).
langou
Roar Guru
haha Good luck with that
Jorji Costava - The Guru's Guru
Guest
Just read the headline and thought it quite odd this website has it's own "coach". Really, what a stupid, an utterly idiotic nickname/mascot to have. What is wrong with the humble cockatoo as a mascot? The Queensland Cockatoos. It would sell a lot more merchandising. Particularly overseas if they ever became well known.
Franko
Guest
Right, ok. So we will be missing: Djite (inj), Ferreira (inj), Cirio (inj), Malik (sus), Barker-Daish (U-22), Kitto (U-22), Hall (U-22) and Carrusca (inj) Meanwhile they have Steffanuto and Berisha to return to the best side in the country, after maybe their best performance of the year. Well I for one can't wait :)
clayts
Guest
I'd like to see Bes come on off the bench. Say 60 minutes in. I reckon it'd almost guarantee a goal. Remember the first 10 minutes against Wanderers (I think) at Lang Park? He was unstoppable. Hold him back for 60 and then unleash him on a tiring defence