2015-16 A-League season preview: Sydney FC

Sydney FC competed with Melbourne Victory for the majority of last season, until it came to the grand final. They were ruthlessly defeated, and coach Graham Arnold will be desperate for payback.

The loss of key players in key positions means that Arnold starts the season with a new central defensive pairing, a new look midfield and a new forward line. It is not an ideal start to mounting a revenge campaign.

However, Arnold is accustomed to player upheaval from his time on the Central Coast and will be confident of trumping last season’s second place finish.

The biggest loss is the goals of Marc Janko, who was a revelation last season as a ‘low-profile’ marquee. Yet Arnold has insisted that it may be best for his team, assuring the media that it allows him to play a more expansive style of football.

Shane Smeltz looks like the man to take on the No.9 role, while new signings Filip Holosko and Milos Ninkovic will work in tandem from the wing and No.10 slots to feed the Kiwi quality possession.

This is a big challenge for Arnold, and one which he undoubtedly believes he can overcome. Yet when a manager hails the arrival of players such as Matt Simon, it smells a bit like overconfidence.

Strengths
The midfield could be the key to Sydney FC’s success. One of the standout arrivals last season, Milos Dimitrijevic, will continue to bond with Mickael Tavares, while a new addition will provide the necessary creative spark.

Serbian Ninkovic is still only 30, boasts 28 caps for his national team and significant European experience. His partnership with countryman Dimitrijevic should give Arnold a solid base to impose his new tactics.

A true No.10, Ninkovic could bring the consistent playmaking abilities Nicky Carle once promised to deliver.

Weaknesses
The defence does not convince, and the loss of Nikola Petkovic should not be underestimated, even considering his lacklustre end to the 2014-15 campaign. Last season Sydney FC conceded just 35 goals in 27 games, but this season it may be different.

In comes Zac Anderson, who will compete with Matthew Jurman to line up alongside Jacques Faty, with Alex Gersbach and Seb Ryall in the fullback roles and Vedran Janjetovic in goals. It is not a line-up that instils confidence.

Sydney FC will be aiming for nothing less than another grand final. (Photo: Peter McAlpine)

Big question: Can Arnold cope with the Asian Champions League?
Arnold is already dealing with a new-look squad, as well as a self-proclaimed new playing style. Can he deal with competing on two fronts? History suggests he can.

Under Arnold, the Central Coast Mariners were more than able to deal with Asian and domestic duties. In 2011-12, where the Mariners drew three, lost two and won one in their ACL campaign, the Mariners finished second in the A-League and made the semi-finals, losing to Perth Glory on penalties.

The following season, the Mariners made the last 16 in the ACL, and still managed to finish second in the A-League and win the grand final, a remarkable achievement. If any manager has form dealing with Asian duties, it is Arnold. But with so many new faces it could difficult this time.

Key man: Shane Smeltz
With Janko’s goals gone, it is time for Smeltz to claim the starting No.9 spot. There is expectation from Holosko, but the Slovak could play more of a support role from the wing.

Smeltz has been one of the top marksmen in the A-League’s history, second behind Archie Thompson on 86 goals. He may be 33 but his instincts will have gone nowhere. Last season he scored nine, despite making just nine starts.

Youngster to watch: Andrew Hoole
Hoole does not even seem like a new signing amid all the other newcomers, given his transfer was announced before last season was over.

Still just 21, Hoole has been threatening to breakout for a long time. Now away from the toxic atmosphere at the Newcastle Jets (which has since improved), he could blossom. A standout in a mediocre squad, Hoole now has to prove himself in a well organised, quality team.

Brandon O’Neill, who fled Perth, is another promising youngster to keep an eye on.

Position last season: Second
A season of promise which ultimately ended in failure, Arnold’s ability to turn Sydney FC from a basket case littered with poor morale to the A-League’s second best team was nevertheless an outstanding achievement.

Prediction: Finals
It is tough to see Sydney cope without Janko’s goals, despite Arnold’s assurances. Add in ACL duties and Sydney’s squad will need to be very tight. Too much depends on new signings, and the defence does not look great. Top two does not look on, fourth could be a good bet.

First five fixtures
Melbourne City (H), Newcastle Jets (A), Western Sydney (H), Central Coast (A), Brisbane Roar (H).

Possible line-up
Brosque, Smeltz, Holosko
Ninkovic
Dimitrijevic, Tavares
Gresbach, Faty, Anderson, Ryall
Janjetovic

Ins
Riley Woodcock (Perth Glory), Brandon O’Neill (Perth Glory), Andrew Hoole (Newcastle Jets), Filip Holosko (free agent), Milos Ninkovic (free agent), Zac Anderson (Central Coast Mariners), Matt Simon (free agent), Alex Mullen (Mars Hill University).

Outs
Nikola Petkovic (KVC Westerlo), Sasa Ognenovski (released), Corey Gameiro (Melbourne City), Hagi Gligor (released), Peter Triantis (released), Nick Carle (released), Marc Janko (FC Basel), Bernie Ibini (Shanghai SIPG – loan expired), Terry Antonis (PAOK).