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Tensions have boiled over in a frustrated Brisbane Roar camp after the winless A-League champions reached a new low, with two players appearing to get in an altercation after a 3-1 loss to Melbourne City at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
The outlook appeared bleak enough for Brisbane after opening their season with four straight defeats.
However, a true insight into how badly the Roar are struggling was provided post-match when teammates Shane Stefanutto and Jamie Young had to be separated as they left the field.
Veteran defender Stefanutto appeared to take Young to task after the English goalkeeper had conceded a total of 10 goals in his four games to date.
Twice the pair had to be separated by teammates or officials in a shocking look in front of fans.
“I would have to see it and talk to the players before commenting on it,” Roar coach Mike Mulvey said.
“But you have to understand the players are going to be frustrated – I thought we deserved something out of that game.”
Brisbane had hoped to reboot their season after a week off.
However, Mulvey sounded like a man who was tempted to go back to the drawing board after City notched their season-opening win just days after farewelling the man expected to kick-start their season – guest superstar David Villa.
“We need to find some answers, we need a re-think,” Mulvey said.
“This club is built on a tradition of playing a particular way and right now we are trying to emulate that.
“But it hasn’t translated to wins on the park so we need to have a look at everything from top to bottom.”
Melbourne City had failed to trouble the win column by the time Villa left the club last week just four games into what was supposed to be a 10-match guest stint.
But it was the Roar who looked devoid of strike power by fulltime – much to the disappointment of the 17,131-strong crowd.
Asked if teams still feared Brisbane, City coach John van ‘t Schip said: “I don’t know.
“I won’t say we fear them but we respect them because of what they have done the last few years but games can be cruel.”
Melbourne City set up their win with a stunning burst of two first half goals in as many minutes.
David Williams drew first blood when he made disappointing Roar defender Jack Hingert pay for a turnover in just the eighth minute.
And Mate Dugandzic made it 2-0 by the 10th after latching onto a spectacular long ball from ex-Roar hero Erik Paartalu.
The result was sealed when Marc Marino put away James Brown’s sublime cross in the 83rd minute.
Brisbane only got on the board in the 67th minute when Brandon Borrello headed a Matt McKay strike.
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