While Brisbane Roar may have fooled tipsters in Round 13 with a much needed win against the Wanderers on Western Sydney’s home patch, they are far from out of the woods just yet.
The same could have been said of the Wanderers a week earlier, after they triumphed in a controversial encounter at Coopers Stadium, where the on-field referee and VAR featured far too prominently for most people’s liking.
Both wins were vitally important, yet potentially just momentary flashes of elation considering some of the ponderous and poor performances dished up by the teams in recent weeks.
After a spritely start to the season, the Wanderers were clinging to the top six when they took on the Reds and Brisbane needed points urgently against Western Sydney themselves last Wednesday in order to recover from three weeks that produced just a solitary point.
Bankwest was in typically sparkling form and the contest was played out with a sense of desperation that bubbled away both on the pitch and in the stands. In the end, the Wanderers jettisoned an early lead, Scott Neville produced a rare goal and Brad Inman’s winner secured the three points that lifted Brisbane within three of the top six.
(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Both teams are significant A-League talking points. The Wanderers, thanks to three consecutive wins to start the season and a homecoming to Parramatta, looked a better version of their 2018-19 selves. Markus Babbel possessed a team far closer to the one he desired after taking the reins in 2018 and realising the shortfalls in the playing group.
The idea of pressure building on the coach seemed absurd after those three wins and a draw against Brisbane in Round 4. Their loudest statement of all had been the derby win against Sydney FC, where despite some luck and Sydney’s many chances, the red and black delivered the win in a match-up that has rarely gone their way in recent times.
Soon after, the lug nuts on the Wanderers’ wheels loosened and by Round 11 the club had slipped from the top rung all the way to eighth. Many felt the Round 12 win against Adelaide kept Babbel in his job. Who knows whether the Wanderers board would have been prepared to act had that trip to Adelaide panned out differently?
Despite the relieving three points and the importance of backing up against Brisbane last Wednesday, Western Sydney stumbled once more. The men in red and black are making it increasingly difficult to gauge whether they are merely a club assuming their rightful lowly spot on the ladder, or an improved squad still finding their feet and a little out of luck.
Similarly, Brisbane have many pundits befuddled. Some have serious doubts over the squad coach Robbie Fowler has assembled and others are more assured that the Roar will be a substantially better team late in the season.
(Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
There is no doubt that Fowler misjudged the potential effectiveness of his cold-climate recruits. His seasoned pros from the lower leagues in the northern hemisphere have struggled against some of the class and quality possessed by other A-League teams and the manager has conceded that fact openly.
The likely acquisition of Scott McDonald in the January transfer window could be an empowering step for both Fowler and the club, as would a solution to the striking issue that has seen the Roar manage just 12 goals in 11 matches, four of which came in a stunning Round 6 win against Melbourne City.
It seems clear now that Fowler believes the solution lies elsewhere than his 34-year-old Irishman Roy O’Donovan, while Aaron Amadi-Holloway looks more like a stop gap than a lasting remedy.
The chasm between that stirring second half comeback against City and a 5-1 drubbing at the hands of Sydney in Round 9 is vast, making it mighty tough to form a confident view on exactly who the Brisbane Roar are in 2019-20.
Such is the case with Western Sydney. Rampant early and floundering since, their identity is similarly ill-defined. Bankwest Stadium has a clear and identifiable face, however the team playing there still appears somewhat unformed and incomplete.
The beautiful thing about football is that both clubs have around 15 or so weeks to find themselves. If they are able to do so, they can begin introducing themselves to their opponents with more confidence and certainty – perhaps even in an elimination final.
Josh
Guest
Oh the WSW owners are ambitious alright, just not on the field. There's currently a McDonalds and petrol station being built out the front of the Academy. There's approval for an industrial precinct owned by the club, so rental income will be pouring in. The 3rd stage is a hotel which will have accommodation for football camps, this means the best kids will stay local rather than being pinched by East Sydney or CCM. That will co-incide with a League's club / clubhouse facility for us fans. The groundwork to make the club extremely well off is there but we want trophies right now not in 10 years.
Midfielder
Roar Guru
TWAS said TIC, and the Roar name of Pussy Cat Dolls who are a band ... You could have a song that reflects your type of play.. HHHMMM eeerrr the Seekers ""Morning Town Ride""" would suit me thinks...
Punter
Roar Rookie
I'm a purist too, the Championship winning 2018/19 SFC team (they were not the season's best team) would not live with the premiership winning 2017/18 SFC team (who was easily the best team in the competition).
Nemesis
Guest
I'm also a football purist. But, there are 2 trophies up for grabs in A-League &, if we can knock Sydney out of any competition - especially when it meant so much to them in 2017/18 - then there's added satisfaction.
Redondo
Roar Rookie
Which is a real shame because both clubs draw good crowds when they are doing well.
TPC
Roar Rookie
I think the saying a fish rots from the head down could be applied to both clubs also. The owners of both clubs don't seem particularly ambitious.
Punter
Roar Rookie
See Nem I'm a traditionalist, I was already happy as we had secured back to back premiership, being the first team to do so. Just like last year, we came 2nd, not displease as we were in transition, but there were those who said but you won the GF, that was just a bonus as we already missed out on the premiership. Not sure I even watched us beat Perth in the GF last year. I know I was out for dinner the night when Antonis scored in the finals series after SFC had already finished 7 pts clear & 21 pts clear of MV in the premiership. Sorry mate, didn't think you were a finals man!!!!
Josh
Guest
You mean like the one who tore his ACL in pre-season ?
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
I doubt Roar will ever have a walkout song. We had These Days (Powderfinger) but that wqas thrown out this year for John Farnham. If it's not loved by everybody it just won't fly at Roar.
Midfielder
Roar Guru
Lots and lots of songs to be sung that may help, The Drive Bys... The Pussy Cat Dolls maybe able to help the Roar as well... Personally for me both teams need something to get the team up.... for me and using western Sydneys most famous band AC DC I would play the first two minutes of Thunder Stuck to fire up the Drive Bys... As for the P C Dolls, hhhmmm Powder Finger a good Brisbane band .... and the best song for there season would be ""Nobody Sees""" our hearts break... vid for Powder Finger below ... Come on Waz ... gotta be your song... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tHQS8VYcM8
Midfielder
Roar Guru
Boom Boom Pun
Redondo
Roar Rookie
Stuart's question: Can anyone work out Western Sydney or Brisbane? I'll have a crack at that: 1. WSW has some quality footballers (not Duke) but Babbel can't coach. 2. Brisbane Roar has no quality footballers and, given Fowler recruited the bulk of the team, Fowler probably can't coach. Prediction: 1. WSW will improve dramatically if Babbel is replaced, but not otherwise. 2. Brisbane Roar might improve marginally if they hire a decent striker, but they would probably improve much more if they hired a decent creative midfielder instead. Comment: 1. Tom Aldred is emblematic of all that is wrong with Brisbane Roar. In defence he looks imposing but is ponderous and slow-witted, and, with the ball his one move is a sideways pass, sometimes left and sometimes right. I guess he's not a bad footballer, just a really ordinary one. 2. Alex Meier would perform far better if the WSW forwards to his left and right were even vaguely skilful on the ball.
Buddy
Roar Rookie
My favourite player - Ikonomidis. I was so cheesed off that WSW didn’t get him back for a second stint. I thought that 7he would service Fornaroli well and having Castro was the icing on the cake but as you say - these things take time.
TPC
Roar Rookie
tbh Buddy I always thought it would take time. When your main man up front has been out of football for a year and add to that he's a totally different player than your last striker(Keogh)... it was asking alot to hit the ground running. Has to be said all these goals and winning run has come without Ikonomidis, if he hits form Glory gets even stronger though Chianese has been fantastic.
Chopper
Guest
Roar are a team in transit. Trying to alleviate the defensive mistakes from last season which is somewhat successful but then losing the transition speed because of the cautious defensive attitude. If the defence becomes more composed, and the midfield can have confidence in that, then the midfield can afford to take a chance and speed up transition. Simply put it is confidence in those around you. Obviously goals at the pointy end can be salvation for a side that is under pressure. The fact that Roar have had so many good chances that they have failed to convert has put pressure on the whole team. To point the finger at ROD or DWH is unfair when Inman (until recently) O'Shea and the rest of midfield have squandered many of those chances. ROD has the reputation as a goalscorer and has over half of the teams goals so far but has missed many good chances so what does that say about the rest of the team? I wouldn't right Brisbane off just yet and I certainly wouldn't right DWH off as I believe his energy and enthusiasm can be used by RF. In the case of Mauk it is unfortunate that he is still at the club because he is a sad performer and doesn't fit with the system RF wants to play.
Nemesis
Guest
Only think I've seen zooming in recent yrs is Terry Antonis picking up the ball in his own half, pushing off Ninkovic like someone flicks off an annoying bug & then leaving O'Neill in his wake. Antonis running with a ball at his feet was too quick for O'Neill & I think it was Calver. And then he scored. And he knocked Syd out of the Championship. He knocked Syd & Arnold out of the possibility of an historic back-to-back double. And he did it all at Sydney's home ground - albeit in front of a paltry number of home fans. Think MVFC fans were about 50-50 in the crowd that night.
Waz
Roar Rookie
He’s had about 30 games for 5 goals so he’s had the opportunity. And I wouldn’t write him off yet but he should be the one displacing ROD not Mirza.
Buddy
Roar Rookie
When AM left WSW he had been playing in a fairly defensive midfield role and he was forever passing sideways, backwards or turning the ball over. I thought he had potential but at that point in his career he was stifled as far as creativity was concerned and most were not sorry to see him go. As often happens, you change employers and you blossom and he did to be fair and the potential has been realised.
Para+Ten ISUZU Subway support Australian Football
Roar Rookie
Very true Punter ... :thumbup:
Punter
Roar Rookie
Hey Caltex, thinking that Nem is struggling. MV were best club in the land, but in the last 4 seasons SFC has zooooommm way pass them.