Sydney FC will start as underdogs when Nani and Melbourne Victory come to town for the Sky Blues’ opening match at the new Allianz Stadium in Round 1.
It’s a tough pill to swallow for fans who’ve been absolutely spoilt with five championships over the club’s 17-year history.
It’s also fair to say there has been significant discontent around the fanbase over the club’s lack of activity in the transfer market.
Spanish left-back Diego Caballo has been the only arrival so far, although we are more than two months out from the start of the season.
The drama of club legend Milos Ninkovic’s departure has somewhat faded into the background for now, but it is still perplexing how new CEO Adam Santo bungled the negotiations so badly.
We’ll see how Ninkovic is welcomed back at Moore Park in Round 6.
With all of this in mind, it’s difficult to get a barometer on what to expect from the A-League’s most successful club in 2022-23.
We got our first look at Steve Corica’s new 4-3-3 formation in Sydney’s penalty shootout victory over Central Coast Mariners on Sunday afternoon.
It was hardly a convincing performance from Corcia’s side, who, if it were not from some more Andrew Redmayne mind games, could’ve found themselves out of the Australia Cup.
The new formation changes up how the midfield and front third operate, with the No.6 role becoming especially important.
Should Patrick Yazbek continue on his current trajectory, he’s a very good chance of making the defensive midfield position his own this season.
Corica has depended on Paulo Retre in midfield for many seasons now, but with the return of Luke Brattan, I can’t see Retre holding down a starting role.
There were promising signs from young forward Adrian Segecic, who assisted Sydney’s third goal in the Cup clash. Segecic and Jaiden Kucharski, another forward prospect, will be banging on the door for A-League minutes.
Adrian Segecic (Photo by Steve Christo/Corbis via Getty Images)
Adam Le Fondre, however, is most definitely on the wrong side of 30 and has looked displeased with his teammates and in general for some time.
A bounce back season from Rhyan Grant wouldn’t be unexpected, but there’s cause for concern with the rest of the backline.
It’s too early to make a call on Caballo, but barring a new first-XI addition, the centre-back pairing of James Donachie and Alex Wilkinson is not a title-challenging partnership. Nowhere near.
There is still time and salary cap room for Corica to replenish the squad but every day closer to kick-off is one fewer day for any additions to gel with their new teammates.
Sydney’s designated player spots, which allow clubs to bring in two players outside of the cap on contracts valued at $300,000-$600,000 per year, remain vacant.
Last season, Newcastle brought in 24-year-old Beka Mikeltadze as a designated player. The Georgian No.9 is an example of the kind of player Sydney can and should target as either a marquee or designated player.
So, once the dust settles on the upcoming A-League campaign, will Sydney have added a sixth toilet seat to the trophy cabinet?
That’s very unlikely.
Much more possible is a return to the top six without making any noise in the finals. Perhaps a loss in the second week.
And that’s about par for the Sky Blues.
This is still a top-six squad on paper with a successful manager at the helm.
With some smart business in the transfer market and a steady sprinkling of hungry young players like Segecic and Kucharski pushing for minutes, the future might not look so dreary for Sydney FC.
Grem
Roar Rookie
A mixture of youth and experience will be great to watch. Yazbeck, Segecic, Kurcharski, Gird, Parsons, Wood mixed with Wilkinson, Rodwell, Mak, Brattan, Caceras and LeFondre - looks good.
Grem
Roar Rookie
The Sydney team is taking shape. If Rodwell plays centre back and if he and Wilkinson can really stiffen up our defence then we are starting to look pretty good and the goalkeeper’s job becomes a lot easier anyway. We now have 4 imports - only one to go - Lolley, Markovic or someone else? It is interesting. The fight for front three spots will be quite intense - Le Fondre, Wood, Mak, Segecic, Burgess, Parsons, Lolley? Markovic? Kurcharski, etc. I really rate the signing of Parsons - he’s an exciting prospect.
Grem
Roar Rookie
I assume they are carefully bringing him back. I do like Bratten, but Yazbeck is going so well that I’d hate to see him on the bench.
Garry
Roar Rookie
Is Brattan maybe being sold? no word on him lately
Garry
Roar Rookie
I dont see Redmayne improving that much but I realised the signing odf Rodwell could solve the centreback issue..originally I was thinking he would be a midfielder! Now maybe we need a top striker!!! ..if we tick gthat box I’d be very confident
Garry
Roar Rookie
Whilst not totally convinced we can make the top I am happy we will be very good side with the addition of Rodwell who looked very classy at WSW. And Gurd looks better than Donachie already & he has a lot more potential..tho a top centreback signing would move our prospects into the top bracket.
Garry
Roar Rookie
Yuka dominates his box..Redmayne only ever did that briefly at his peak..anyhow “Slovakian international winger Robert Mak has signed for Sydney FC”
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Vuka is very solid and reliable, he is also a big build not the fastest mover. Redmayne is taller and more agile. Ultimately the goalkeeper who would have saved Brimmers shot against Western United would have been Redmayne not Vukovic , we saw Jamie Younds limitations against that shot.
Grem
Roar Rookie
He was outstanding for Sydney FC. A great keeper and always a great club man.
David Shilovsky
Expert
Still flabbergasted Redmayne got a three-year deal. And it wasn't a reaction to his Socceroos heroics - he signed the deal beforehand. Would love Vuka instead, great memories of him here.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Auto correct - Rogic yep. And signings like Markovic and Lolley are interesting - will they be standouts or no better than Barbarousis/Kamsoba? I think Rednane will have a big year with a World Cup spot up for grabs and he will be motivated and he has to work to maintain his new status in the game.
Garry
Roar Rookie
I wish Vukovic had come to us..much better than Redmayne…and I presume you mean Rogic ..no confirmation re Lazar Markovic either.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Hopefully he is good. We still need some star power - someone special. Rigid looks like he won’t come.
Grem
Roar Rookie
You will notice Kurcharski. He looks like he’ll do well.
Garry
Roar Rookie
What I dont get is why Australia Cup games must be played midweek.. there’s plenty of room in the weekends and crowds would be better. For instance whilst I probably wouldnt go anyway if the Bentleigh game was played in the weekend I would definitely consider going. I like looking at the grounds around Australia that I wouldnt see otherwise!
Garry
Roar Rookie
Didnt notice Kurchaski myself..after a slwo start both Segegic & Caballo improved immensely & that left side looks outstanding....
Garry
Roar Rookie
a start.."Joe Lolley is poised to leave English football behind and sign for Sydney FC."
Bob
Guest
Not sure what Corica is waiting for. He'll need at least 4-5 good players and Syd can come close to winning it. Without those they'll be near the bttm.
David Shilovsky
Expert
Only 30 years old, probably not as good a signing as Austin but a great coup for the Jets.
Garry
Roar Rookie
"It’s too early to make a call on Caballo, but barring a new first-XI addition, the centre-back pairing of James Donachie and Alex Wilkinson is not a title-challenging partnership. Nowhere near." .. I was eventually very impressed with Caballo after a slow start..his passing is smart & accurate and he showed a lot of pace too..after struggling to compete with the 'africans'. I think with a faster pairing.. Donachie has to go!.. Wilkinson still has plenty to contribute.