January sees the clubs of the world scouring the globe looking for the extra edge in their quest for championship glory.
WHAT YOUR TEAM NEEDS THIS JANUARY PART 1
In the A-League, the salary cap forces clubs to channel Donald Trump’s Art of The Deal to find a cost-effective solution to the problems that face their campaign.
Here’s what your side needs and why!
Melbourne Victory FC – Depth
With their Asian Champions league campaign kicking off in February, Victory undoubtedly boast the stocks across the park to win trophies, they have proven it in the last 12 months.
The recent absence of Captain Carl Valeri has exposed a hole that needs plugging. Victory don’t need a superstar, just someone who can rotate into the squad, especially when the hectic schedule kicks into gear.
Sydney FC – A striker
If you’re to believe the rumours it could be Kiwi international Shane Smeltz on the way out to make room for a new striker at Sydney, but I wouldn’t be putting the house on that move just yet. Whether or not Smeltz leaves isn’t really the point though.
Sydney need more goals, despite scoring four against the Mariners last week there was still an apparent lack of penetration upfront. With leading goal scorer Alex Brosque injured (again), Arnie needs someone to come in who can bag plenty of goals.
James Troisi has been touted as a possible option, but he’s not quite the out and out striker they seem to lack. Nonetheless if he can get goals that will be enough for the Sky Blues.
Melbourne City – A better marquee
No I’m not talking about Aaron Mooy, rather the Slovenian old-timer Robert Koren. As the oldest marquee in the league Koren doesn’t offer enough with his prestige or on the park.
While we have had older marquees who were past their glory days – Alessandro Del Piero springs to mind – they need to offer something off the park.
Koren just isn’t a household name and frankly when you’re the richest club in the league your marquee needs to be of an exceptional pedigree.
If City were able to offload Koren and bring in not only a player who would sell shirts, but can also add some more quality to the side they’ll have to be taken seriously as title contenders.
Former world player of the year Ronaldinho is a perfect example of someone who fits the bill and would bring a smile to fans across the league.
Brisbane Roar – Not much, maybe a young wing-back
The Roar look very good at the moment! To think how young manager John Aloisi has turned around his fortunes with this club is nothing short of remarkable.
They seem to have a strong side in the first XI as well as great depth, especially in the midfield and upfront. The only potential for slip-ups seem to be out wide in defence. If Shane Steffanuto was to cop an injury it could be a problem for the side, especially given the way Jerome Polenz has gone AWOL in the squad.
A young Australian left or right back would be a nice pick-up and add to the exciting talent that the A-League is producing in that department ergo Alex Gersbach and Jason Geria.
Western Sydney Wanderers – Form from their marquee men
In the form the Wanderers are in there is no doubt Popa’s boys are back. It’s a great feeling at Parramatta right now and with many guns firing the side looks almost unstoppable.
With inspiring performances from Mitch Nichols, Andreu and a resurgence from foundation player Mark Bridge, they just need the bloke on the big bucks, Federico Piovaccari, to pull his weight.
Though having many quality strikers to choose from is a nice headache for a coach to have, Piovaccari could well be the last piece of the Wanderers puzzle to push on in the race for the premiers plate.
Each club has an opportunity. Go forth and pursue the golden signing to transform your title hopes! Coaches should seek out a Milos Dimitrijevic – possibly the best acquisition in the January transfer window in the history of the A-League – and not a Darvydas Sernas – you don’t remember him for a reason.
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