Moneyball is a 2011 sports drama. It revolves around the true story of Oakland Athletics General Manager Billy Beane and assistant Peter Brand, a Yale economist, who revolt against traditional baseball logic and build a team of ragtag misfits based off mathematical algorithm.
It proved to be a home run.
Since it’s box office debut, Moneyball has become the colloquial term for teams buying recycled players.
Its usage has bordered upon excessive and frivolous, coming to encompasses transfer policies which don’t come close to the true heart of what Michael Lewis describes in his renowned book, Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game.
I wouldn’t describe Brisbane Roar’s transfer policy this off-season as Moneyball-esque, it is a gamble and built for the now. Potentially, for a new era.
Massimo Maccarone is a 38-year-old striker, the journey-man striker shapes as a throwback to a bygone era of old-fashioned hold-up play who feasts by poaching in the six-yard box. He has good pedigree with Middlesbrough and Palermo in his past alumni, however, turning 38 in September, one must wonder how many minutes Brisbane will get out of him.
Is it enough to be impactful?
Fahid Ben Khalfallah is well known among the A-League faithful, awarded Melbourne Victory’s Player of the season in his debut year. He seems a replacement for Roar Idol Thomas Broich, yet at 34, much the same as Maccarone, there is a question of fitness and minutes.
If both players cannot playout matches occasionally, are they re-signed to the bench as impact players?
Corey Gameiro once had Australia’s football community in the palm of his hand, he had talent in abundance and shaped as the next big thing. Gameiro arrives in Brisbane, entering his fourth club after a career plagued by injuries which have stalled his progress.
Apparently, Brisbane staff are impressed with his conditioning with all things considered, yet in the back of everyone’s minds must be the knowledge that this is a big risk.
Given all three are on one-year deals, two are ageing and one is on the comeback trail, it feels like Aloisi has banked on success this year, with these risks being calculated he is hoping to find value where others cannot.
This has the hallmarks of a short-term plan. It’s a brave move and could force a change of philosophy.
(Photo: AAP)
Since the halcyon days of Ange Postecoglou, Brisbane has assembled itself in its various iterations, under a 4-3-3 formation with an underlying desire to pass the ball and the play a “pure” game.
Last season, Jaime McLaren and Brandon Borrello offered Brisbane a potent and scintillatingly quick offensive line, allowing Brisbane to play counter-attack if the situation beckoned, while the passing ability of Thomas Broich and Thomas Kristensen allowed Brisbane midfield dominance and control of the game.
Now with McLaren and Borrello in Europe and Thomas Broich retired, Brisbane may not have the speed it needs to counter attack or play a front three with wide-players.
Ben Khalfallah offers Aloisi a wide option, yet his strengths lie in playing incisive passes and dead ball specialities rather than breakneck speed. Both Gameiro and Maccarone are versatile attacking players, however, are more suited to playing centrally as is Nicholas D’Agostino.
Trialist Peter Skapetis is also a central attacking option.
John Aloisi is certainly blessed with firepower, which could see a shift towards a two-striker system, potentially a 4-1-2-1-2, allowing Brisbane to highlight their strength in central midfield and use their hoard of strikers.
Potentially a slight variation of a front three could be in vogue, with the two wingers shifting inwards to play behind a central striker, more of a 4-3-2-1, compensating for the lack of wide players and utilising Brisbane’s plethora of strikers.
Assumedly Brisbane would have to sacrifice its counter attack and revert to a more patient controlled style of game reminiscent of the 2019-2012 ‘Roarcelona’.
If there is something we can agree on, it’s that Brisbane will pose one of the fascinating stories of the upcoming season, having taken a chance on its signings and the possibility of a change marking a new era.
Brisbane is all in for season 2017/18, whether they hit the jackpot remains to be seen.
Waz
Guest
I think you may have misunderstood; but let's not blow this out of proportion as I respect your comments. The commotion over Broich was stuff n nonsense, his injury and the fact he hasn't been picked up by anyone yet suggests Aloisi made the right call.
Lionheart
Guest
I have a similar concern Bob, but at the other end with younger players. We were developing a number of potential club stalwarts like Petratos, Borrello, Brattan, Lustica, Donachie, even Clut, but I think now only Corey Brown is left of that era. There's a couple of youngsters starting to look ok, but our return on the effort we put into those guys seems minimal. I guess that's the nature of the business.
Lionheart
Guest
Waz, the issue is history now, but let's not rewrite history. I recall very distinctly your comments about his age and a few other things. Perhaps not on this blog, it may have been on FB or elsewhere.
Lionheart
Guest
Big Mac - love it Yep, I heard that too, but only got 20 minutes. I thought Holman showed some glimpses last season, but he did have injury recovery issues to overcome, didn't help. Overall, I think Aloisi has recruited well in his time at Roar (much better than he did at Heart).
Jeff
Guest
Likely to see 352 this season. I would expect TK to play more at the back this season to start their attacking moves. The addition of Oxborrow allows JA the luxury of playing TK at CB. I don't think Jado, Luke or Avram have the passing game for this system. Problem will be when we play against a physical central midfield like Victory with Milligan and Valeri. Hopefully Skapetis works out well. This kid needs a bit of luck.
Waz
Guest
I d always thought the same with Mackay as well, play both of them and it doesn't seem to work that well (too much change?).
Waz
Guest
Seriously, you take offence easily. I can't believe your going to be watching Roar this season with an approach of "I sincerely hope we take a hammering this season. Aloisi’s penchant for aging journeymen does not deserve to succeed". For crying out loud .... enough said, there's nothing more to discuss.
Waz
Guest
I never swore any such thing. There was a pack of hysterical schoolgirls on this site saying the club had said he was too old or too expensive. When the club never said that, Broich himself confirmed all the club said was they wanted to wait until July and gague the success of his ankle operation. And in July Broich announced his operation wasn't a success and he would need a second operation and wouldn't resume training until September/October ..... if you were the club would you have signed him? If the answers yes then you would have had a player injured for all of pre-season. Broich can't have been too old otherwise they wouldn't have signed Maccarone, or too expensive (same). So perhaps the simple explanation is something the Doctors told the club - he'd need two possibly three ankle operations and would miss a large chunk of next season?
David McDaniel
Roar Pro
Yep sorry, that was me being lazy! Apparently Holman and Big Mac (better?) really impressed in the hitout against Power, although I was not there to verify. Holman should be good this year, he is a class player.
Lionheart
Guest
may I suggest that with Holman, our formation is constantly changing - not necessarily a bad thing
Lionheart
Guest
But Waz, you swore black and blue that Thomas Broich had to go because he was now too old.
Lionheart
Guest
Don't like that nickname Macca - it's too easily confused with Macca. I really liked our youthful squads of a few years back, MM days, and think that JA was largely forced into using our younger players last season (like Joey, Ingham, Daggers) because of injuries. He's very cautious our coach, but I think he's coming around and learning the ropes. No second chances with these signings however, Holman and Maccaroni have to deliver this year.
Adam Daunt
Roar Guru
Built for the now with regards to the squad demographic and the higher age profile in comparison to other seasons. Embarking on a new era because possibly this squad make-up will force Brisbane to play a different style of game to seasons last as well as change formation.
Adam Daunt
Roar Guru
I think with the ball-playing options we have in midfield, a narrow diamond similar to what Swansea City used at times in the last EPL season could work. It compacts our midfield but would suit the likes of Holman and McKay, they could play in their natural positions. You can also go for a wide diamond and use the likes of Shannon Brady who is a good prospect, if they wanted to call him up.
Waz
Guest
^ that's in reply to you Bob. It's not letting me reply directly to your comment.
Realfootball
Guest
I have a really big problem with bumptious know it alls like you opening anything post with a word like "nonsense". It isn't. I did the maths on the likely starting 11, and if that includes McKay, it is very unlikely to include Caletti as well. That was one of my assumptions. The figure in mid Feb, if Caletti isn't starting, is 33.7. Take out Ingham. He won't be playing unless someone is injured. You have a very annoying level of presumed ownership in regard to anything to do with Brisbane Roar. Virtual slap. Honestly, get a life.
Waz
Guest
No, there's two visa spots available although most likely they'll only make one signing. But there is still over $500k cap space so the signing could be decent and even push Maccarone under the cap apparently.
Bob
Guest
is their squad full now?
Bob
Guest
I think BRFC could work a diamond midfield really well.
Bob
Guest
Maclaren is what is called a nil-sum gain; they lose his goalscoring but they replace him with someone who contributes to teh overall team game