It is always dangerous to mess with a strong culture and a winning formula. Brisbane Roar are finding that out the hard way this season.
The Roar finished second in the W-League in 2020-21 under Jake Goodship, with the best attack in the league and one of the stingiest defences. They lost only one game all season.
Brisbane scored 29 goals last season in 12 games and conceded only 12 (four coming in their only loss to Canberra).
For still unexplained reasons, Goodship was moved on and replaced with Garrath Mcpherson for this season. Goodship had apparently turned down roles to coach men’s teams to continue a project he was enthusiastic about finishing, possibly with a championship.
But a decision was made at the top to change things and the results so far in 2021-22 have been a disaster. The Roar sit well outside the top four, three points from the bottom with two wins and seven losses, including today’s humiliating 8-2 drubbing at the hands of Adelaide United in Brisbane.
After last season, Emily Gielnik and Tameka Yallop had moved overseas to England after both had excellent campaigns in the orange jersey.
Brisbane fans must be questioning what has happened and the moves made after a successful season. While last season there was accountability from the playing group, this season has been somewhat haphazard, with ill-discipline and disinterest costing the team.
Before today they had conceded 18 goals in nine games, which has blown out to 26 in ten. This is the second-worst defence after new club Wellington Phoenix, who are finding their feet in their first season and are playing away from home all season.
A young team will always struggle in the A-League Women’s competition, but players like Gorry, Tathem, Jamilla Rankin, Larissa Crummer and Mariel Hecher are no mugs. They will be fuming after today’s result.
While Mcpherson will undoubtedly be under the pump – especially after today’s result – it is unfair to blame a coach who came into an environment that was disrupted by decisions made above.
Changing a positive culture is never a good move. Brisbane are finding that out now.
Tony Keepence
Guest
Two words "the Bakries
Waz
Roar Rookie
:crying: 3-1 helps but maaaaaaaaaaaaan
Waz
Roar Rookie
No “financial problems” as such although no doubt the financial climate of COVID influenced a more prudent approach mind you. But is it sound having a junior coach at Nathan while everyone else is on the Gold Coast?? I’d suggest not.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
I watched the highlights not the rest of the match. Its almost a mini match though with 10 goals.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
i would 8 to be a brisbane supporter today :)
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
quite the expert for someone who didn't watch, and probably never does
Janakan Seemampillai
Roar Guru
Rhetorical questions. Why would they do that? Do they have financial issues? I’m all for promoting local kids but why would you sack the coach who took the team to second and bring in a new coach because he coached them at NPLW level, where they finished 10th? It’s strange isn’t it
Waz
Roar Rookie
I think the feeling with Jake was his side chocked in crucial games (which it did) but the clincher was building a squad around the QAS - who’s the better coach, Jake or Gareth?
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
The keeper went off injured at what point? After the 7th goal. Not suprising either where did they find this goal keeper. The keepers job is not to tackle the striker advancing is one thing but then prop just before the ball is struck. This a poorly coached player from who knows where who is doing quite dangerous stuff. I cant be bothered watching the match to look at defensive issues however from the highlights I saw a lot of goal keeping issues, first goal this goal keeper passes it straight to an opposition player in her own penalty , enough said, the goal keeper dropped shots that weren;t hit that hard, at corners doesn't even bother to look whether the ball is going on one just charged out at random and then looks away before she collides with some player. On a corner kick look where the ball is going then stay on your line and try to make a save. Tended to come out charging at the player not the ball or the leg that is kicking it, on collision course and never propping to stop, the looks away before collision. If she bothered to prop and spread her arms she might have saved some of those goals. The only goal that wasn't preventable was the 8th where the replacement keeper made a good dive towards the ball and almost go to it. Also another short goal keeper, as I said make Krummer a goal keeper and she could play another 15 years in a big club.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
I arrived soon after play resumed from half-time. By the time I walked from the gate to my seat Adelaide had scored three goals. They all looked pretty flimsy so far as defence goes, as Waz said, structures broken. The keeper went off injured, no excuse and not to take anything away from this Adelaide side either, they are a well drilled, disciplined side. Roar looked pretty good with the ball for the rest of the match, to be honest. But this season has seen them give away matches far too often.
Janakan Seemampillai
Roar Guru
Yep valid points. I don’t know why they moved on Jake Goodship?
Waz
Roar Rookie
McPherdon has got a decent squad, he’s got decent training facilities, he’s got knowledge of all the QAS players …. so a lot is right and (not unlike the Men) they have been very guilty of not finishing chances this season. But a 2-8 thumping can’t go by without comment: Does Womens football at Roar get the support it needs? Is Gareth getting the support he needs? Does Gareth have all the necessary resources? Is this a Brisbane Roar Womens team or a Football Queensland rep team?? Who will be held accountable for an embarrassing result like this? Where do the Bakries stand on this - from Championship contenders to wooden spoon contenders? There is a plan but who’s reviewing it’s the right plan? Gareth??
Janakan Seemampillai
Roar Guru
I empathise with McPherson a lot. It isn’t easy what he walked into
Waz
Roar Rookie
The Mens First team train on the Gold Coast, the Women's First team 60Km North at QAS/QEII. I’d start there - a relatively junior snd inexperienced Coach is on his own day to day. Looking at Roars implosion yesterday 5 or 6 of the goals (at least) were down to poor defence structure - in any team that is on the Coach. Roar took a brave step in building a squad around QAS players, this means most of the players will play together for 35-40 games this year before starting the ALW next season - a distinct advantage over (all) sides who chop and change from one season to the next. And a sound plan in theory but as this season has shown - the transition from State League to National is a step too far for several players. The question is, who is working with Gareth week to week to fix this and what’s the plan for next season??