Following a fourth-straight loss the finger pointing has well and truly begun at Adelaide United, yet one exuberant character continues to evade criticism.
While Josep Gombau is eternally idolised by the Adelaide faithful, current coach Guillermo Amor is sweating over an uneven jigsaw that once resembled a title tilt.
Although Gombau galvanised Adelaide’s football formula and achieved relative success, his resolute approach and strict adherence to style has left a burden on his Spanish sidekick.
Just like any new coach, Amor needs time. Time to address Gombau’s oversights, and time to impress his own individual style on the players.
While Amor’s methods appear different to Gombau’s, the squad is relatively identical. Which poses the question of why last season’s ‘thrill ride’ is experiencing such a drastic plunge.
Under Gombau, the Reds comfortably dominated possession and thrived in high-tempo situations. Despite this, Adelaide struggled to justify their possession, making it increasingly difficult to punish quality opposition. Fortunately, Gombau’s side generated enough momentum to eventually force a score and remain ultimately competitive.
It is all well and good playing a high line, but your players must honour the process by taking risks. Unfortunately Gombau’s incomplete squad became so obsessed with honouring style it inadvertently deserted substance. This approach is as exhausting as it is futile. Why shoot at goal 20 times when you could strike once?
Because Gombau’s Adelaide remained competitive, it was easier to overlook the flaws. After all, goals win you games and points give you leverage, but in Adelaide’s case it would never be enough. And deep down the supporters knew it. Impact players like Fabio Ferreira and Awer Mabil may score a goal or two, but they cannot be relied upon as sole providers.
A title-winning squad will generally contain a goalscoring striker, reliable midfielders to offer attacking support, and a defender who will pop up on occasion from a corner. Adelaide United has Sergio Cirio and Craig Goodwin, but not much else. And penalties are a shallow income no matter how many you score.
Thus Amor has inherited Gombau’s fundamentally flawed project; incomplete and seemingly impotent. Only time will tell whether Amor is capable of producing his own winning formula, goals and all, although time may be against the modest Spaniard.
While the tabloids flap about constructing internal conflict and John Kosmina again offers his ‘expert’ opinion, it is crucial to consider the Adelaide conundrum rationally. Despite a poor start, the Reds have a strong foundation of footballers who share a united confidence and understanding, such was Gombau’s team cohesion.
The return of Eugene Galekovic will add much-needed leadership and greater stability in defence, but it won’t alter reality. Amor may be Spanish, but he is not Gombau and thus the Adelaide players will need to adjust to a new realm of Spanish flair to succeed.
Welcoming back Eli Babalj and Iacopo La Rocca will add depth, but each are unproven in the Red shirt. Gombau’s armada of Isaias, Marcelo Carrusca, Pablo Sanchez and Cirio are a fearsome faction, but as long as Adelaide’s flaws remain, time may out last their era.
vlad
Guest
Carrusca, probably the equal best player with his spanish comrades, did not go on until 10 minutes left. He and half our spaniards were on the bench with rumours he and the coach do not get along. And to top it off, Newcastle played one touch while we were looking more NSL than A League. I hope this coach recaptures the spirit of Gombau.
Liam Sheedy
Roar Guru
For the record I think the coach is pretty safe for now. The new CEO spoke positively during the week about giving Amor time. Just leading into the season however there seemed to be a fairly negative vibe from supporters. While losing Gombau was a blow the players we brought into the squad were not exactly.....inspiring. As a result you see some of the business of others clubs and a feeling of being left behind I think did creep into the mindset of some of the fans. Losing early games has not helped! In-house I do think there are some issues. I guess the problem when you are playing poorly the media will take some pot shots. I would still like a bit more information around the exit of Michael Petrillo.
R King
Guest
I don't necessarily agree with you Liam, yes the current owners have put financial stability ahead of buying a better class of player, but once continued financial success has been achieved I'm certain they will invest and buy the trophies our much envied Victory are doing. Adelaide is a much more demanding market than Melbourne or any of the other major cities, we are by our very nature conservative in our way of life. So being financially sound makes sense to most of the more mature types that follow the club. Yes our kids want trophies, NOW but hindsight has taught us that winning trophies doesn't make for a continued strong foundation. A combination of both would be fantastic. We don't have 25,000 paid up members to fill our stadium, so we are relying on a core supporter base of 7000 plus the casuals who come out and cheer us on. Currently on the park, as you quite rightly pointed out, our problems are many, too many players are out of form, injuries to key personnel plus the changes behind the scenes. What might be a good idea would be for the new CEO along with the new Football Manager to hold a joint press conference, to answer the many questions and counter the media opinions that are being voiced. Right now we are the punching bag for the likes of Mark Rudan and co, who are openly suggesting there is more to our situation than we are being told. I think there might be some issues that need resolving, but it is for the club to resolve them in house, not publically. Will things turn around, they will but not until players return from injury, players regain lost form, half chances are taken and a couple of 50/50 decisions go our way. Regardless of how we feel right now, there is still a long to go and only by standing together, UNITED will we see this slump off.
Liam Sheedy
Roar Guru
Adelaide United have issues all over the park. The biggest mistake made was simply not investing in the squad in the off-season. While the current owners are in charge the club will never be in a position to truly challenge.