It has been a tumultuous twelve months for the Brisbane Roar, from Mike Mulvey’s acrimonious dismissal to continued financial uncertainty under owners the Bakrie Group, and new manager John Aloisi has a huge task getting the club back to the top of the table.
The departure of Besart Berisha should not have resulted in such a fall from grace, but last season the Roar went from champions to scraping through on default into the top six. The loss of one man is too simplistic a reason, however.
The board’s meddling in on-field philosophies ended in embarrassment, with all three men responsible for Mulvey’s sacking now departed themselves, while an off-hands approach from the owners resulted in the loss of millions. The fans’ trust will be hard to reclaim.
A large portion of the team responsible for the premiership-championship double in 2013-14 still remain, however, and coupled with some small yet quality additions, the team has the potential to return to their best.
Strengths
Despite the bumpy off-season, most players have surprisingly stayed loyal to Brisbane, with only Luke Brattan jumping overboard to pursue a career in Europe. That unity could be the Roar’s biggest strength.
They have experience, and they have leaders. Matt McKay, Thomas Broich and Michael Theo (who should be fully fit this year) provide a strong spine to guide the younger group into a new era. That base should provide fans with confidence that a return to their exciting, attacking play is a possibility.
Adam Sarota and Brattan are big losses, but Jamie Maclaren’s arrival is a bit of a coup – the 22-year-old could finally provide a quality replacement for Berisha. Steven Lustica looks key to Brisbane’s chances this year, as does the ability of new Spanish signing Corona to settle into the midfield.
Weaknesses
Off-field drama looms as the biggest challenge for the Roar, with question marks remaining over the Bakrie Group’s long-term commitment – despite assurances to the contrary.
Any further late payments and this season will be a write-off. It is impossible to expect a squad to perform when they are not receiving a wage.
The lack of depth is also concerning, with the Roar extremely quiet in the transfer window. Another signing would help bolster the stocks and the mood.
Big question: Is John Aloisi the man to bring Brisbane back to the top?
The former Socceroo is still fairly inexperienced, but you cannot blame him for jumping at another chance to manage in the A-League. He was not ready for the job when taking charge of Melbourne Heart in 2012, and there are questions whether he is ready now.
Aloisi spent time as a development coach with Melbourne Victory earlier this year, but chose to pursue punditry work with Fox Sports rather than take an apprenticeship with a state club in the NPL. Perhaps the right opportunity never arose, but it is worrying that he pointed to his time analysing games from the TV studio as a sign of his progression.
However, he was reportedly hired on Ange Postecoglou’s advice, and if one of Australia’s best coaches in recent years thinks Aloisi is ready, then it is hard to argue. Aloisi could not have chosen a tougher assignment, hopefully he can make it work and prove himself.
Key man: Thomas Broich
Who else? The German had a relatively quiet campaign last season in an underperforming side, and suffered a number of niggling injuries. Yet he has been showing his undoubted quality in pre-season and should be back to his best this season. His partnership with Maclaren could hand the latter the golden boot.
Youngster to watch: Devante Clut
The 19-year-old has been threatening to break through into the Brisbane Roar first team and international set-up for a long time, and this season it could finally eventuate.
The midfielder first announced himself to the A-League with a spectacular goal against Wellington Phoenix on debut back in the 2013-14 season. He then had to wait patiently in the National Youth League before scoring two screamers against Suwon Bluewings in March this year.
Clut followed those performances with another two goals against La Liga’s Villarreal in pre-season, and he is a prime candidate for the Young Footballer of the Year award if he gets significant game time.
Position last season: Sixth
The Roar were lucky to get into the finals series after Perth Glory’s salary cap scandal, and duly lost to Adelaide United in the elimination final.
Prediction: Finals
It is a big call, but there is enough quality in the squad to suggest a return to form. If Aloisi can grab a decent start, and the off-field drama subsides, a finals appearance is a good chance.
First five fixtures
WSW (A), Central Coast (H), Wellington Phoenix (A), Adelaide United (A), Sydney FC (A).
Possible line-up (4-3-3)
Broich, Maclaren, Borrello
Lustica, Corona, McKay
Brown, North, DeVere, Polenz
Theo
Ins
Jamie Maclaren (Perth Glory), George Lambadaridis (injury replacement), Corona (free agent).
Outs
Andrija Kaluderovic (released), Adam Sarota (FC Utrecht – end of loan), Kofi Danning (Oakleigh Cannons), Lachlan Jackson (Jets), Luke Brattan (released).
Realfootball
Guest
Very impressed, Waz. Terrific control, sound defensive work and beautiful distribution. At 26 he's the perfect age.
Chopper
Guest
REally positive feel about the coming season. John Aloisi, Craig Moore, Belinda Wilson and Steff acquitted themselves well. Their approach was honest and open with a bit of banter. Even the fact that they released eleven young players came across as positive when John added that if he cannot see them making it at this club they have to leave to allow the next layer through. I understand it well because the large European clubs are lucky to get one or two gems through from their youth team each year (and sometimes none) and so discard many reasonable players. Some have the get up and go to prove their detractors wrong like Luongo but that is the exception rather than the rule. Great that a new Spanish player is on the way because this will up the ante for underperforming players as I forecast that John will soon show non performers the door.
Waz
Guest
and some video curtesy of Scotty: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnkiKHHutg4
Waz
Guest
So it's a second Spaniard for Roar: http://m.couriermail.com.au/sport/football/brisbane-roar-star-henrique-to-become-australia-citizen-allowing-club-to-bolster-squad/story-fnii0fc3-1227559676230
Waz
Guest
That's correct with Ricky. 7PM tomorrow. They were none committal on the new signing other than that comment "he should be on the plane now" (I think they were being literal as well) but other than saying it was an international flight gave nothing away, so it could be a visa player or an Aussie returning home?
Realfootball
Guest
Cheers Waz. Was it mentioned that Ricky becomes an Australian tomorrow, as I have heard? Would explain another visa player on the way.
Waz
Guest
Paul - they announced at the fan forum tonight that the next signing is "imminent" with the said player "on the plane now". Not sure how literal that last comment was
Waz
Guest
It is a joke I agree - but there's no story in Roar unless it's negative.
Waz
Guest
Here's my feedback from the fan forum, Chopper might add some more: * Most importantly there is another new signing imminent. The expression used was "he should be on the plane now" naturally JA was challenged where from? and all we got was "it's an international flight" * Aloisi said the reason behind the mass release of youth players was he didn't feel they would be good enough for the HAL in two years time so they'd rather concentrate on the next layer down * in terms of the ex players returning - JA said that was his idea and his decision, cited his find in Spain where clubs looked after ex-players by providing work coaching to admin jobs. Said it only applies if people were good enough. * Playing style will remain the same, just the patterns of play would be the same. * not confrontational like last weeks, fans were supportive, some critical of this'd that hasn't renewed membership. * Said the back office admin was being run with fewer people than needed all working long hours and there's a limit to what they can achieve - one of the compromises was only full membership packs were available, light versions not on sale yet. * Players motivation was high, all being paid but talked at length about how difficult the winter had been *announced the next fan forum would be on the 18th of November
Realfootball
Guest
This is shaping up to be a cracker of a season. So many clubs with huge changes in coaching and playing staff that it is very hard to read, apart from the fact that Victory will surely win it and Melb City will surely give it a shake this year. Sydney will be thereabouts. As for the rest, who knows? I personally think Brisbane wild do much better than many of the pundits are predicting. The only other call I will make is that poor first halves of the season will mean the end for Popovic and Van't Schip. But I don't think that is going to happen.
Realfootball
Guest
I would, but I live almost 2 hours south.
Lionheart
Guest
good attitude
Lionheart
Guest
The media, the non-analytical media that is, reported Brattan as Brisbane's best player, ha ha, when they used his name in the context of our outraged fans. He's good but replaceable, injured much of last season.
Lionheart
Guest
Good to hear this. I did read that Corona said the opportunity to rebuild a team back to former glory days in a new league attracted him, and John Alloisi too. He said he plays his style of football. We'll know soon.
Chopper
Guest
I am going Waz. See you there.
Waz
Guest
Is anyone else going to the John Aloisi fan forum at Suncorp stadium tonight?
Waz
Guest
:) Go on, what does that mean? And I was only saying this is "the sort of player they should be signing" based on availability as much as anything.
Waz
Guest
His loss on the field is over-rated I agree, especially as Corona offers more, I think some commentators are hoping that the loss off the field indicates a club that is fractured behind the scenes and Luke is merely the first to jump ship.
Waz
Guest
The one thing I'm sure Aloisi has got is balls so if he wants to play 4-2-3-1 he will, I'll ask him tonight. But so far in preseason it's been 4-3-3 so I wouldn't expect change early in the season at least
Waz
Guest
By then we'll have to work our way through "12 months since Ken Stead resigned" and then "12 months since Sean Dobsons departure" and "12 months since Chris Fong got fired" so I'd get used to it