After Wellington’s 8-2 triumph over Central Coast, Adelaide dropped down to fifth.
Lurking underneath in sixth and seventh are Melbourne City and a much improved Newcastle Jets side. The question is, with five points ahead of the seventh-placed Newcastle Jets, can Adelaide United hold on for a finals spot?
Adelaide United’s last starting XI vs Sydney (3-4-1-2)
Paul Izzo; Michael Marrone, Isaias, Scott Galloway; Ryan Strain, Vince Lia, Nathan Konstandopoulos, Craig Goodwin; Mirko Boland; George Blackwood, Jordy Thomassen
Normally Adelaide United play with four at the back, two in holding midfield, three in attacking midfield and one up front. Despite this, Adelaide United may need to change to a three at the back formation as they only have two centre-halves in the squad; Jordan Elsey and Michael Jakobsen, both who were absent in Sydney’s clash.
In the back were fullbacks Scott Galloway and Michael Marrone as well as skipper Isaias. Craig Goodwin and Ryan Strain were converted to wing backs as well as Boland, Blackwood and Thomassen in attack.
Key difference makers
Michael Jakobsen
Michael Jakobsen is most likely the most critical player for the Adelaide United squad now as he is the only centre back in the squad apart from Jordan Elsey who is injured. His experience, precise passing and solidness has benefitted Adelaide United. How he forms a partnership with Michael Marrone will be vital if Adelaide United are to stop other teams from scoring.
Ryan Kitto
Kitto scored Adelaide United’s last goal against Western Sydney. He was Adelaide United’s top scorer last season and is posing a threat to teams’ defences. Adelaide United could use another player in form and Kitto could provide that.
Carlo Armiento
He mainly comes off the bench, due to the injuries of Ben Halloran and Nikola Mileusnic. In the limited amount of time he has on the pitch, he has impressed especially in the last minute 4-3 victory against Brisbane Roar, in which he grabbed an assist.
Still young and deserving of more gametime, he could be an x-factor for this Adelaide United side and could create opportunities when coming off the bench.
George Blackwood
George Blackwood was Adelaide United’s number one striker for most of last season scoring five goals. He has transferred to an unfamiliar attacking midfielder role after Kurz has made Jordy Thomassen the number nine ahead of Blackwood.
Blackwood has threatened defences for a number of weeks and scored a couple of vital goals. As Thomassen is failing to fire, Adelaide United could certainty use a few more goals from Blackwood as the season comes to an end.
Form
Loss, draw, loss, draw, win
The run home
vs Perth Glory (home)
Perth Glory still have everything to play for in this clash as they aim to secure the premier’s place for the first time in A-League history. Adelaide can’t drop too many more points and they haven’t scored in the past two weeks, so they will need a teriffic performance against the strongest team in the league, even with their home fans behind them.
vs Central Coast Mariners (away)
This is a clash that Adelaide should be looking to win as Central Coast Mariners are bottom of the table with one of the worst defences in the league. They could also use this clash to boost their goal difference, which could make a huge difference.
vs Wellington Phoenix (home)
Wellington looks to have turned around their bad form after defeating the Mariners 8-2. However, Adelaide has a far better head to head record against the Phoenix. Both teams have all to play for in this tough clash but you could see this going Adelaide’s way.
vs Melbourne City (away)
Melbourne City’s new recruits, especially Jamie Maclaren, show that City will be tough to defend and score against. Adelaide were unable to hold on for the three points in their last outing and will need another mighty effort if they are to defeat Melbourne City. This should be a real six pointer.
vs Melbourne Victory (home)
Adelaide managed to defeat the Victory in their last outing after a sensational performance. The Victory have slightly fallen but original rivalries are always rippers. It will take another great performance to defeat their bitter rivals.
vs Brisbane Roar (away)
Brisbane Roar’s defence appears vulnerable, especially as Adelaide United came 3-0 down to defeat them 4-3 in their last outing. In their last five outings, they have conceded three or more in four of them. However, Dylan Wenzel Halls is in solid form and Eric Beauthec, Henrique and Alex Lopez are good on their day.
And of course, it’s not a guarantee Adelaide will score three or more against them, especially as they could have defenders return from injury.
In conclusion, this Adelaide United side has issues in defence and attack, although there could be a few players that might be able to score. Hopefully, Adelaide United will be able to cope with only having two centre halves in the squad.
If they will make the finals, it is unlikely they will have the defensive depth to progress very far.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
There is no doubt Victory training is a joke, look at what has happened to Troisi,Milligan,Berisha but they do have quite a few players with great engines like Barabarouses, etc. So the players go home, then what Muscat and Troisi go to the pub. Pierce Waring he hasn't played a single minute in the J-league though. I assume his must mean youth games in Japan, its strange that he is there as wouldn't he be taking up a foreigners spot.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Yeah I noticed that, too. I remember also when Vítězslav Lavička was at Sydney FC he was training twice a day - some sort of European knlowedge and revelation at the time - that had benefits. Hiddink and van Marwijk both had tough fitness régimes for a short tournament and both teams commented on their overall fitness being very high. Who’d have thought fitness was a cornerstone of seeing out a match and being able to still keep technique deep into a match. — Another telling quote was having the afternoon off at Victory (assume similar at all clubs). Being a professional and working half a day...no wonder Honda was a little surprised.
Redondo
Roar Rookie
Can we help - do you want to talk about it?
RF
Roar Rookie
I have never looked forward to a finals series with less anticipation.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Adelaide were not going that bad till Tomassen came in,an ordinary player maybe he has some hold up skills but who is holding the ball up for the other player is Blackwood. Blackwood looks good sometimes, but has both shocking finishing and a shocking final ball. The combination of these two is a disaster and hogs the key scoring zone with 2 players. In four matches with these two they have only scored 1 goal. They have one of the better defensive records if you didnt notice.
RF
Roar Rookie
Off topic, but this from Pierce Waring is absolutely damning of Victory under Muscat, and indeed the A League in general. I used to be inclined to dismiss this kind of stuff from players, but it has become so consistent in terms of what they all say when they leave, that it has to be believed. “My time at Melbourne Victory was really good but it was one session a day and quite relaxed,” he said. “It was about 45 minutes to 90 max and then after midday you had the afternoon off. “At Cerezo it’s two or three sessions every single day. You’re at the club from 8.30 in the morning and you get home at 5pm. “During pre-season we trained at 6.45am, 9.30am and 3.30pm. The early session was a 7 kilometre cross country run. “Then a conditioning session involving short sprints and later in the day a technical session.” Eat, sleep, repeat - welcome to fitness conditioning, Cerezo-style. A far cry from Victory, with Dutch winger Leroy George famously describing his time there as more holiday camp than boot camp. “It was hell during pre-season but when you come out of it and play actual games it almost feels relaxed,” added Waring. “Back in Australia after a game I felt absolutely stuffed but in Japan after a match it just feels like a normal session."
Punter
Roar Rookie
Haha, as you know Stevo, love my A-League & my SFC, but today it's all about Ronaldo!!!!
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Playing for the Reds next season!!!!!!! Wow!!!!!
Punter
Roar Rookie
Cristiano Ronaldo WOW!!!!
RF
Roar Rookie
Diawara goes the top of the list of non event marquees for me. Jardel, awful, yes, but at least he was gone fast. Diawara has been draining cash from AU for how many years now? What an utter waste of money.
David V
Guest
The fact that Wellington (win in Gosford aside), Melbourne City and Adelaide United have looked vulnerable lately has opened the doors for the Newcastle Jets and possibly even Wanderers to close the gap. City go to Sydney FC this weekend, Wanderers are in Wellington and there's the F3 Derby.
Rodger King
Roar Rookie
I agree with everything you've said, and in answer to your final question, yes the can and they could well finish the season proper without defeat. That would be a top effort, mind you but something they are very capable of as we have seen in the past.
Buddy
Roar Rookie
There’s making the finals and “making the finals” and it doesn’t matter how you dress it up, finishing 5th or 6th in a 10 team competition doesn’t really reflect a successful season. At best it says the team has fared better than 4 or 5 other teams. At worst it reflects a mediocre season and one to go away and forget and start planning for the next season. As it stands it means possibly playing another couple of games before everyone is reminded of the gulf between the top 2 and the rest. Whilst FFA may feel the need to take money from the end of season circus, it would be good to see them at least make some effort and to stop showcasing average to mediocre teams dressed up as finals contenders. If we must have a finals series, how about top 4 maximum; so the question should be, can Adelaide make the top 4?
Alex Hrissis
Roar Rookie
I can see any one of Nix, City or Adelaide dropping out of the top six. Adelaide were always going to struggle without a goalscorer, add that to all the injuries they’ve had and they might struggle to get over the line.
Franko
Guest
I think Kurz will go at years end. The injuries that have hampered the side all year are largely down to his 90's German era double sessions and the players just keep breaking down. The failure to sign a backup CB, especially when Tongyik became available, along with spending half the year without a fit striker really derailed any hope of ACL. Will they make finals? They play Nix and City so that'll decide it. New owners will put their stamp on next year and it'll be interesting.