After nine games unbeaten, Adelaide United have rediscovered the impressive performances that defined Josep Gombau’s tenure, albeit using a more refined approach.
Guillermo Amor’s knowledge and experience encouraged a discerning exploration of Gombau’s match-day methods, and, despite some teething problems, has produced a more flexible and complete Adelaide.
However United’s recent rise up the table has been aided by six games against sides positioned below them. With a difficult run home – six of Adelaide’s final nine games are away from home, and six are against higher opposition – the Reds must consistently trouble the teams casting a shadow over their purple patch.
Friday’s home clash with Sydney FC teases this opportunity, and Graham Arnold is surely eager for his stuttering Sky Blues to spoil the party.
Following Friday’s fixture, the Reds have four days to prepare for their AFC Champions League play-off against Shandong Luneng, before facing the Mariners and Victory on foreign terrain.
Arnold will be encouraged by his team’s last visit to Coopers Stadium, where Sydney dominated the opening stanza before Alex Gersbach was dismissed for a horrendous challenge.
Jimmy Jeggo felt the full weight of that challenge, but made the most of his sustained fitness by leading the Reds to a 2-1 victory in his best performance in a red shirt.
Not only did he put the Reds 1-0 up with a terrific half-volley, but showed persistence with his tackling and commitment to each contest. Had Jeggo completed a move to Austrian club Sturm Graz – where he recently signed – when they initially declared an interest, Adelaide would have once again been embarrassed by inferior opposition on home turf.
Last week against Newcastle Jets, Adelaide sorely missed Jeggo’s input. And while Isaias stepped up, he cannot be expected to single-handedly dominate the midfield each week.
In coming high-intensity fixtures against quality opposition, the Reds must express a certain level of physicality to prevail, especially now they are hunted as the league’s form team.
Jeggo was not the most gifted player to grace the A-League, but his robust resilience, combined with the tactical wit and incisiveness of Isaias, made it possible for the likes of Marcelo Carrusca to express their creativity.
As for Jeggo’s replacement, 18-year-old midfielder George Mells appears to be Amor’s preferred option, but new signing Stefan Mauk may change that, although he too is only 20. Mells has shown he is a capable passer, but he regularly goes missing mid-game, leaving Isaias to pick up the slack. If Sunday’s 1-0 win is anything to go by, Mells is in for a tough time against a strong Sydney midfield headlined by Mickael Tavares.
After Jordan Elsey’s uninspiring performance at right back last weekend, Amor does have a plausible reshuffle at his disposal. Elsey starred at centre back alongside Dylan McGowan until he was forced out by suspension, replaced by the class and experience of Iacopo La Rocca.
Michael Marrone is almost certain to regain his place at right back after he served a one-match suspension. But Elsey may have the chance to recapture his early form at centre back if Amor chooses to push La Rocca into the midfield alongside Isaias. This would not only bolster the void left by Jeggo, but also give La Rocca the opportunity to evoke his man-of-the-match display as holding midfielder for Western Sydney Wanderers in the 2014 A-League grand final.
Amor is sure to make at least one change for Friday’s match, but whether he reorganises his structure remains unclear. History suggests Amor will have great confidence welcoming Arnold’s men on Friday evening, as Sydney have not won an A-League match in Adelaide since February 2012, with United having won five of their last seven A-League matches against the Sky Blues.
Qantas & SBS support Australian Football
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*Carney (sp)
Qantas & SBS support Australian Football
Guest
Marvellous game last night. The score line was a fair result. Arnold went out with a 4-3-3, which may have surprised the anti-Arnold critics and surprised the SFC supporters as well. I was certainly surprised---as a SFC supporter playing AU away at Hindmarsh. However, it worked in part, as SFC almost came away with the 3 points. And for those who doubted the wisdom of signing on Canny (which I was one), must now see the wisdom of Arnold's thinking---he certainly made an impact on his debut. Also, Simon can hold his head up high after last night---he had a good game and scored a sublime goal. I think SFC have turned the corner and will come home with a wet sail from here on end. Plus, I'm so looking forward to the return of Alex Brosque. The SFC attack will have some real bite in it, with Carney and Brosque working some football magic playing together.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Yes, I am a defender :D I have Spiranovic on the back of my WSW jersey. Will be getting Aspro next. I'm the guy who celebrates a good tackle like it's a goal. There weren't many of the latter in the first 3yrs of WSW so we learnt to appreciate the former. I was also one of those people horrified City went for Sorensen. "Why waste a spot on a GK?" Obviously I was wrong. Bring on a good round.
Rob Gremio
Roar Pro
I reckon the Adelaide Sydney game will be a fascinating tussle. I agree that the competing styles will make compelling viewing. However, I hope that Adelaide wins. I dislike Arnold's style of coaching, the way he sets teams up to spoil the others. I agree that Brisbane should beat CCM. Suncorp isn't a happy hunting ground for the Coasties at the best of times. That said, they are finding some quality, and the lift that Luis Garcia has brought them is obvious. As a Roar fan, I hope CCM get a stuffing, but I fear it might be closer than I would like. MVFC v WSW - yeah, this should be a cracker. With MV at home, I probably expect them to win, but WSW have a habit of getting results no matter what, so we will see. I think your analysis, AZ, on this game is good. :) Nix v Glory. Yep. Nothing to see here. Glory to win. Hope that Wellington at least shows up for this one and competes. Newcastle seems like it is lurching from crisis to disaster, but I think their getting rid of Carney was actually pretty good business. Who wants a malingerer in the camp? That said, City has far too much quality in their squad to be bothered by Newie. You're excited to see Wilkinson BACK in the A-League? He is a quality player, so yeah, will be good, but I can't say I'm excited. Maybe you're a defender or something, but I get excited by attacking players and goalkeepers (because I'm a keeper). I appreciate good defenders (they make my life easier), but I don't get excited by them... Each to their own, I suppose. Good work providing a "lazy Round 18 preview!"
AZ_RBB
Guest
I won't complain about lack of Round 18 preview. I could submit one myself if I wasn't so lazy. Anyways here is my lazy Round 18 preview just to get the discussion going Adelaide v SFC - SFC have become enemy numero uno on this forum recently for their style or lack thereof. But despite any enmity I think this is a great clash between two very contrasting style. My favourite type of match up. It will be a great test for both and it will essentially come down to who can execute their game plan better. Sorry that's very cliche but that's honestly the case when you have a match up of this sort. Season defining indeed. Has it been promoted like this in Adelaide? Brisbane v CCM - massive improvement from the Gosford boys last weekend in Wellington. Similar improvement from Brisbane as well. You would think Brisbane just have too much quality across the pitch for CCM to deal with. They'll be very keen to go top with a win here and put pressure on WSW. MVFC v WSW - marquee fixture of the week. A game I dubbed the "Red, Black and Blue Derby" after a couple of infamous clashes between fans years ago. Probably won't stick for obvious reasons but i'm gonna run with it. As a WSW fan I can't really expect much here. The wide expanses of the Docklands pitch favours MVFC enormously. They play at a high tempo and have superior athletes to us. We need our midfield to step up to an even higher level to what we've seen so far this season. Our full backs will be very busy as well. Lot of pressure on Dimas and Andreu to cut access to the MVFC forwards. Wellington v Perth - do we still call this the Distance Derby? Perth should coast to victory here. Wellington seem to be lose and Perth have just found their mojo. Newcastle v City - another game that could get ugly. I was surprised Adelaide didn't make it rain goals last weekend. Maybe Newcastle have found some structure after all. Not sure. I expect City to score 4 or 5 here. Also I'm excited to see Wilkinson in the ALeague. Wasn't he regarded as one of the best defenders in Asian club football not long ago?
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
My guess is they can, however there did seem to be less defensive midfield pressure without Jeggo. It is a facet of Mells' game that he'll need to work on.
BES
Guest
"Can a Jeggo-less Reds prevail in season-defining fixture?" the entirety of the rest of Australia says: I hope so. So long as the Great Whinger loses all is well in the football world.
Franko
Guest
La Rocca will no doubt play on Friday as he is not in the ACL squad, but I'd be surprised if he moves to DM. If he goes to CB, means someone gets a rest with Marrone returning. Mauk and Mells ought to share the load in the middle and both should still be fresh for ACL Tuesday. Sanchez should start and get a full game, -------Galekovic Marrone Elsey LaRocca Elrich ---------------Isais -----Mauk------------Carrusca Sanchez----Djite----------Goodwin