Following a shaky start to his Adelaide United tenure, Josep Gombau produced a slick and entertaining team in South Australia, which won the FFA Cup last season but faltered when it came to finals football.
With the enigmatic Catalan now departed, Adelaide’s ability to push on under former technical director Guillermo Amor is uncertain. Yet the quality remains, and it is tough to see the club taking a backward step.
Their Spanish contingent, which forms the basis of their possession-based play, is only going to improve and there is some serious depth within this squad. With last year’s rivals Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC occupied with Asian Champions League duties later in the season, Adelaide could produce an improved challenge for the premiership and championship.
Strengths
Adelaide’s biggest strength lies in their ability to play both possession-based and route-one football. The midfield trio of Marcelo Carrusca, Isaias Sanchez and the underrated James Jeggo gel wonderfully, and can switch play in an instant.
The team also possesses great width, with fullbacks Tarek Elrich and Michael Marrone constantly overlapping to terrorise opposition defences. Coupled with their depth, there is a lot to like about the Reds.
Weaknesses
Inconsistency has been Adelaide’s biggest weakness. Last season they defeated Sydney FC 3-0 only to return the next week with a 1-3 home loss to Wellington. Similarly, when they embarrassed Newcastle 7-0 they backed up with a disappointing 2-1 loss to the Mariners.
Big-game temperament is also a concern. While they won the knockout FFA Cup, Adelaide have at times failed to win the decisive games. They were demolished 4-1 by Graham Arnold’s men in last year’s semi-final, while in 2013-14 they scraped into the A-League finals only to lose 1-0 to the Central Coast Mariners
Most recently they fell to Melbourne Victory 3-1 in the FFA Cup quarter-finals. A ruthless streak must be imposed if they are to reach their potential.
Big question: Does Amor have the goods to continue Gombau’s work?
Technical directors moving into head coaching roles rarely work smoothly in the A-League, and Amor’s abilities are largely unknown. He has exceptional pedigree as a player, and so will demand respect from his players, yet this is still his first managerial position.
Does he have the personality, the motivational powers and man-management skills to push this side to the next level? It will be the difference between challenging for silverware or settling for a spot in the finals.
Key man: Isaias Sanchez
While the creativity, guile and goals of Carrusca and Cirio are essential to Adelaide breaking open opponents, Isaias is the real magician. The deep-lying playmaker makes this team tick, with his quick-thinking long balls complementing his short, sharp movements into space.
Isaias covers the backline, drops deep to pick up possession, bursts forward when necessary and draws defenders to create room for his teammates. He is indispensable.
Youngster to watch: George Mells
The 18-year-old is largely unknown in Australia thanks to moving to England at the age of 12 to train with Chelsea before moving to Southampton’s famed youth setup. Returning home on a one-year deal, Mells has ambitions for first-team football and his progression in a talented Adelaide midfield will be an interesting development.
The attacking midfielder has been involved with the Young Socceroos’ recent AFC U-19 Championship qualifiers, starting both games against the Philippines and Laos.
Look out for Eli Babalj, too, who should quickly usurp Bruce Djite as the No.9 and display the form he has been threatening to produce for years. Bruce Kamau is another to keep an eye on.
Position last season: Third
A blistering start to the season was ruined by inconsistency, and third place was an apt finish. They failed in the finals, however, Sydney FC proving a different class.
Prediction: Top two
Josep Gombau is a huge loss, but you would think Amor can continue the progression. The same was said about Rado Vidosic in Brisbane, yet this squad has depth and quality to finish top two.
First five fixtures
Melbourne Victory (H), Western Sydney (H), Perth Glory (A), Brisbane Roar (A), Melbourne City (H).
Possible line-up
Cirio, Djite, Sanchez
Carrusca, Isaias, Jeggo
Elrich, McGowan, Malik, Marrone
Galekovic
Ins
Iaccapo La Rocca (Wanderers), George Mells (free agent), Eli Babalj (on loan from AZ Alkmaar), Mate Dugandzic (Melbourne City).
Outs
Nigel Boogaard (Newcastle Jets), Cassio (released), Miguel Palanca (released), Awer Mabil (FC Midtjylland), Cameron Watson (Newcastle Jets), Paul Izzo (Mariners).
Jo
Guest
I like AU but I enjoyed watching BR beat them 7-1. :P
Waz
Guest
At least that different, you may be completely mad of course ... BUT AT LEAST THATS DIFFERENT :)
Waz
Guest
Janek - your analysis of the teams has been great, and it's not a pot shot at you personally, if you aggregate the predictions in multiple media you're pretty much looking at the same 1-10 order from last season, that would be unusual especially when it's never happened that way before. Nix for me were a surprise last year - Burns was magnificent as a goal scorer and creator, Cunningham has gone too and the players they have left look good but no ones replaced Burns work rate, goals or assists. The quality in the team is good but so supposedly was Roars last year and look what happened. Adelaide not as dramatic but they along with victory will be the most analysed team in the comp. I think there's 8 teams in it this year, it's that close for me (all hail the salary cap) with only jets and mariners looking significantly weaker and maybe Perth/Roar a bit thin on personnel but have have made or will make signings.
Zaccaa
Guest
Top 6 1 Brisbane Roar 2 Adelaide United 3 Perth Glory 4 Melb Victory 5 WSW 6 CCM ( will edge out Melb City by 1 point to make the playoffs ) Brisbane will finish 7 points clear of Adelaide United Sydney Fc will finish last 3 Top goal scorers Berisha 18 Piovaccari 15 Broich 13 Obviously the golden boot will go to Berisha Goalkeeper of the tornament will be Ante Golec Brisbane Roar will beat Adelaide United in the final 2-0 CHAMPIONS > BRISBANE ROAR < Newcastle Jets fan btw
Janek Speight
Expert
Not really sure how the loss of one player has Wellington falling at least three places, Waz. Similarly, why the sudden drop from Adelaide? Bit hard to make predictions about injuries already too! I think it'll be a fairly open title race between four teams, while 5th and 6th will be heavily contested - like every year. It's a tough league to predict, especially with so many new faces. That's the beauty of predictions though, most people get 'em wrong..
Waz
Guest
lol
Waz
Guest
That's not exactly "sticking your neck out" on a prediction is it; if you look at most people's they're basically "safe" and regurgitating last seasons table. Reasons I think what I think: - Nix have lost key players up front and at the back. Burns being the biggest who scored and made goals, that's a big ask to replace (like losing Berisha) so I think they'll struggle with goals - Adelaide have a good squad but this is a transition year for them, key players gone like Boogard at the back, coach gone, Babslj in (who may struggle to fit your style) plus you may have kept a couple you shouldn't have (Malik for one?). I think the Victory cup game won't prove to be a one off. - SFC have made so many changes they may struggle to integrate them; you shouldn't read too much into preseason but they didn't have a good one. That same problem could afflict Wanderers and even City - Roar? Totally agree on Aloisi, how can anyone be convinced? Last season Roar had lost key players (Bes now replaced by MacKaren, Brattan by Corona), had a massive schedule, worst injuries in the league, were in the midst of a financial crisis although we didn't know it, politics in the back office was rife, had a new coach, assistant coach, and made "6th" with all that ..... and give them 4 more wins and they were third. But they are being written off by many for the off field dramas, I get that, but I've been to three grand finals where we were written off and I think the squad are looking at this season as the biggest grand final ever :) but I could be wrong - new coach, new players, a key player lost so they may struggle. I don't know anything of course, but the conservative forecasts this season are just bull ... no season has ever been predicted by the previous season when it comes to 1-10 placings, and there's a reason why only one side has gone back to back ... So all I'm ranting about is pleeeease, can we have a little bit more imagination than "same as last year" cos they said the same last year - Perth and Nix down the bottom, how wrong they were :)
Mister Football
Roar Guru
I hate all Adelaide footbal clubs. The very best thing after watching AU get thumped 6-0 in a grand final was watching Gamba take them apart 5-0 in aggregate. Good times.
Alexander Clough
Roar Pro
I still think Adelaide have the basis for a good squad whereas the Roar could really struggle. We know they've been through some off-field crap before but I'm not convinced by Aloisi.
Fadida
Guest
They need goals from strikers. Djiite, for all of his strengths simply doesn't score enough. Can Babalj?
Waz
Guest
So let me get this straight ..... the forecast for this seasons league positions is, err ... pretty much the same as LAST years positions. lol - I'm beginning to think some people only drive their cars by looking in the rear view mirrors!! You could just cut n paste last seasons table in to this seasons, even though it's never worked that way once before, just look at last season ... or people could grow a backbone and actually make a prediction. My prediction - Roar and Wanderers will make the top 6, Adelaide and Nix to miss out, Sydney will struggle to make the top 4, Victory will be impressive but injuries to Khalfaller, Del Pierre, and Thompson will hamstring their season and they'll finish second or third. City will replace JvS by Christmas and only then find consistency for a top 4 finish. The plate is a wide open race between four possibly 5 clubs. Glory to be the dark horse in this season after winning the FFA cup.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
I am not entirely convinced about La Rocca playing as a CB, time will tell. Certainly one of the most settled squads in the A-League which should help.
mattq
Guest
Adelaide has the ACL too, assuming we get passed the playoff. Also an update on recent injuries (Carrusca and La Rocca) would have been good too.