A transfer window is an opportunity change the fortunes of a struggling club and improve their chances for success.
It is a time when troublesome players can be moved on, while bringing in much needed reinforcements.
With completed transfers still to be announced by some teams, all eyes in the league seem to be on Brisbane Roar – who in an effort to save their season, rolled the dice with several new acquisitions.
The Roar are by no means out of finals contention, only four points adrift currently and the recent away match in Adelaide, showed they are more than capable of competing with the competition’s best sides.
Coach Warren Moon is still under a huge amount of pressure to save his job – with questions persistently being asked of his puzzling team selections and tactics
However, he has been financially backed by the Roar board, with seven new signings – including two scholarships.
Three of the new signings are from South Australia, which brings the total to six in the squad – highlighted by new recruit Taras Gomulka.
As a teenager Gomulka was making inroads into the United first team during the covid period, before rejecting the clubs contract offer and then signing a financially rewarding three-year deal with Melbourne City.
His time in Melbourne proved to be a real struggle in breaking into the first team and a move to Brisbane will hope to reinvigorate the former prodigy’s combative tendencies in the middle of the park.
Noah Smith’s attacking instincts were on full display whilst at Adelaide, before suffering a serious injury and moves in recent years to the Mariners and Melbourne Victory have not seen a recovery of initial form.
Now onto this fourth club, Smith has an opportunity to make Brisbane’s troublesome left back spot his own.
Ayom Majok finds himself back in the big time on a scholarship deal, after a fine season with Adelaide City in the SA NPL – averaging a goal every two games.
His dribbling, trickery with the ball and pace should give Brisbane a new dimension in the final third – which also will now include one of QLD’s favourite sons Robbie Kruse.
Kruse has cut a maligned figure in Australian football circles, during an injury plagued three years in Melbourne Victory.
Nobody can deny his club and international CV and on his day, Kruse is capable of showcasing his energetic work rate and eye for a goal.
(Steve Christo/Corbis via Getty Images)
But at 34 years old and still cursed by injuries – Brisbane fans will not be getting the same excitement machine they saw come through the club over 15 years ago.
There is also an air of uncertainty of how VISA signings, Marcel Canadi and in particular Stefan Scepovic will cope in Australia.
Scepovic boasts a solid CV and generally players from the Balkans do well in the A-League, However he is only here for six months and social media has been quick to already judge Scepovic of being in Australia for a paid vacation
To make matters worse, Integrating seven new personalities in an already fractured dressing room is a recipe for chaos.
The fixture list is challenging with six out of the remaining matches interstate and the side’s dismal record in Brisbane. They rank third from bottom in points taken at home.
But with the new reinforcements, the Roar now have a squad of talented players – it will be up to the under-fire coach to try and put all the pieces of the puzzle together.
Seven is the magic number to roll in the game of craps, due to the amount of most combinations possible and it is also the number most likely to come up on the dice.
For Warren Moon’s sake let’s hope the dice roll was lucky, because integrating seven players in 11 games may finally see his luck run out as coach of the besieged club
coolncold
Roar Rookie
Integrating 7 new players into the Roar squad means the squad at the start of this season is bad. That also means the B Roar is preparing for the next season of 2023 to 2024.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
They rolled snake eyes with scepovic, the two mariners subs looked a lot more dangerous. I would have prefferred Majok. But just wait there is an excuse, the no service excuse, what about Majok he got no service as well.
jbinnie
Guest
Cameron. The original curriculum as attained in Loughborough College did NOT specify as to how teams should line up .It was a document more based on how youngsters in differing age groups should be TAUGHT, with the emphasis heavily geared towards the standard of teaching required when coaching groups aged 5-9, 10-14, and 14 upwards. The document went heavily into psychology and physiology for it was recognied that youngsters of different ages have different aims on what they hope to achieve. I suspect today's "curriculum' has far removed from those basic "ideals". Cheers jb.
Cameron Handley
Roar Rookie
my comments around the curriculum don't stem from where it originated or who implemented it. it's simply been the widespread indoctrination of australian football in to a rigid Positionalist 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 (essentially 4-3-3) as the only 'right way' to play the game that attracts my ire.
coolncold
Roar Rookie
ps As Aldred lacks speed, it is better for Trewin to be at the back. Thus, Neville is to be the right back and the 2 central backs are Aldred and Trewin. 4-3-3 (subs): Neville_____ Aldred___Trewin______JCP (Smith) _______Hingert_____ Gomulka_______Milneusic (Hore) O’Shea(Carmadi)___Scepovic (Knowles/Majok)__ Armiento (Kruse)
jbinnie
Guest
Cameron - just for your information the "curriculum" is a document with an extremely chequered past. A Dutch coach was given the task back in 2007 and after 2 years he "retired" at the age of 77, only to re-appear some months later writing a "curriculum " for the Indian National Body !!!. Those of us a bit older viewed the "new" document with some doubt for it closely resembled- (small- sided games on smaller pitches and another host of improved junior coaching tips)- most of which had first appeared in Australia in 1974. That 1974 document had been generated at an esteemed sporting college in England, Loughborough College, which previously had conducted a survey into what was required when coaching children of varying age groups. Back to Australia. Before leaving for India, the originator of the document passed his job as National Director of Coaching to another Dutch acquaintance who , after another couple of years, came out with the observation that the "curriculum " in it's original form was too involved for young coaches and was in need of re-writing. He proceeded to do this and then, before analysing the results of his efforts, left his job as Australian Director of Coaching and joined Sydney FC as an "advisor" to the Board. So you see Cameron, when talking about the "curriculum" are we talking about the original English version, (1973), the too difficult Dutch version 1, (2009) or the re-written Dutch version 2 (2014), or what we have been left with to carry on building successful pathways for youngsters to reach A-League standard, Cheers jb.
coolncold
Roar Rookie
Dear invicta, I think you mean this: 4-3-3 (subs): Hingert_____Neville_____ Aldred______JCP (Smith) _______Trewin_____ Gomulka_______Milneusic (Hore) O’Shea(Carmadi)___Scepovic (Knowles/Majok)__ Armiento (Kruse)
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
neville doesn't get a mention from me, due to how much influence he holds in that dressing room and his age. the only reason i would put aldred in there ahead of neville is purely the fact hes a visa player (and should really start) is slightly younger and has the experience to marshall 2 very young centrebacks as for akbari, hes played at both victory and brissy as a 6, 8 & 10 - without ever holding down a permanent spot. in juniors he was a 10, he might not have the goalscoring pedigree of other midfielders in my line up, but he has got the vision to set up the play he is fast running out of time to realise the skill he has, he needs to be played for several matches in a row in one position - to try and get some rhythm akbari would work well next to o'shea in my set up - o'shea can create his own shot and get others involved (but struggles defensively)
invicta
Roar Rookie
Aldred has to start as captain. Having a back "5" won't work with our current wingbacks. He either plays Armiento or Noah Smith at left wingback. If trewin and gomulka play at 6s then it should be a back 4. He will play back 3 but he is stuck with his favourites of trewin and JCP. Neville Aldred Trewin Hingert JCP (sub for smith) Gomulka O'Shea Hore Armiento Knowles Chapman going is not a great loss as he lacked a left foot. Armiento can't defend. Is that why he is no longer a wb? I d like 4-3-3 (subs): Neville Aldred Hingert JCP (Smith) Trewin Gomulka Milneusic (Hore) O'Shea(Carmadi) Armiento (Kruse) Scepovic (Knowles/Majok)
Cameron Handley
Roar Rookie
there’s 5 there that wouldn’t be in my XI, but the options behind them on this roster aren’t great
jbinnie
Guest
SS - Have to pass comment on your imagined best Roar eleven. You have me in that there are a few players in your eleven I have not yet seen and I abhor "playing blind" with players I have not seen, but on the other hand there are a few players in that team that, having watched them very carefully, I don't consider to be A=League material. Let me try and explain. One of the Roar's most consistent players in this and recent seasons is Neville and he doesn't rate a mention from you. Last year Trewin filled in for the injured Aldred and other absences and the G.A figures show he did so successfully but his lack of height can still be exploited and as a screening midfielder he has continued his form this season so why interfere with such a defence. When seeking areas of improvement one has to think the coach's evaluation of his "super sub" and "Ferrari in the garage" descriptions would ensure that these 2 would be in his immediate plans. Courtney Perkins could replace Hingert the veteran having been subbed in the last 6 or 7 games at the 1 hour mark. Jack has been a good servant and could be considered an ideal sub for most of the defensive positions but his legs are now putting the wing -back role beyond him. Brindle South, who has also been playing, could replace the wandering Chapman so with a defence lined up as Neville, Aldred and BS as the back 3 and Trewin screening, the defence has not be interfered with. Midfield is where the real problem lies at Roar. Service to the front men has been ordinary for some time now and that can be put to the fact that O'Shea has been on his own with players being tried, and changed all around him with many of them now departed. Kruse is an enigma. If fit he could be a sensation playing a deeper role than he has been used to and with Hore, the super sub, motoring non- stop between him and O'Shea some balance could be restored to midfield. Up front is where the coach's signings have to be proved. You mention Akbari as a goalscoring midfielder, his record is 2 goals in over 70 games.I have watched this lad very carefully and the truth is he is needing to be taught how to play in a modern football team. He is what I term a "ball watcher". seldom, if ever, picking up a man when defending or moving to space when attacking, basic stuff. If you "chart" his performances you will see what I mean. You have listed 2 out and out wingers in your line up and that could be where the problem lies. The "Back 3" formation, which Neville and Aldred appear to favour, calls for 2 attacking wing backs and it is this area some real coaching has to be done for your choices, two experienced wing men, Mileusnic and Armiento have to learn to create space for these wide attackers and sometime, when watching Roar, you get the feeling neither of these lads fully comprehend their tasks in this formation. IMO it wouldn't take a lot of change to get this team functioning. Cheers jb.
coolncold
Roar Rookie
People here talk about the formation, 4 3 3 or 3 4 3. If you watch the video by Steve Holland (assistant coach to Southgate), about 3-4-3, the main idea is to make 5 attacking players. That means both the left and right backs to move up to become attackers in a overlapping manner. That means 3 4 3 becomes 3 2 5. But Holland also mentioned that 4 3 3 can become 3 2 5, with 5 attacking players. Should this be the case, one of the ways of doing so, the left (or right) defender overlap with the righ (or left) midfielder. https://www.coachesvoice.com/cv/3-4-3-formation-football-tactics-explained-tuchel-conte-pochettino-southgate/#:~:text=The%203%2D4%2D3%20is,up%20in%20several%20different%20ways. or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3sAWHFZXoc
Sheffield WesDay
Roar Rookie
If he was interested in going for a win he would stop Taking the limited goal scorers we have on the pitch off , constantly opting for non scoring midfielders and defenders. Playing TomAldred at no.9 is not aiming for a win after you have just removed Arnie to, Knowles, Hore and mileusnic.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
brissy won't do this under moon, but i'd love to see this line up - a really aggresive attack minded 3/4/3 when in posession of the ball, dropping to a 4/5/1 without it Armiento Sceopovic Milusenic O'Shea Akbari Hore Gomulka JCP Trewin Aldred Duke *duke needs to get a shot at GK (the other 2 have had plenty of chances and havent claimed the spot) *back 3 picks itself - with trewin the one to bring the ball out *not a big aldred fan, but he has 2 very young CB's next to him - aldred brings the experience *gomulka is solely palying as a #6, hes the person that will transition the team from defensive to midfield with trewin. *the 3 midfielders in front are all capable of scoring, creating, etc - they can rotate across the midfielf *its now or never for akbari, he's 23 soon - time to play him in his natural position as a #10 *the front 3 have good crossing from the left with armiento and pace/directness on the right with milusenic, all scepovic has to do is stay in the 18 yard box
Franko
Guest
I am happy for Jay also, here's hoping he gets some time on the pitch.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
at the end of the day a striker needs service, austin never got it due to how moon set his side up. - it's going to be the same with scepovic unless they completely shift tactics to involve armiento and milusenic i've told the story of armiento on here a few times. outside of craig goodwin, carlo armiento has the best left i've seen as a teenager going into the a league with adelaide - 9/10 on his left foot its perfectly weighted, cleanly hit and can curl it in or out. he was a player adelaide did not want to lose, but when it became apparent marco kurz was leaving (kurz told armiento to not sign a new cdeal and come with him) - contract talks stalled and the player ended up moving. armiento on one wing, kruse on the other side with canadi threading passes and o'shea able to create his own shot with gomulka screening the midield and it looks a very promising attacking outfit on paper (before addin in milusenic, majok, akbari etc) i'd be dissapointed if i was a brisbane fan, to miss out on the finals with the current assembled squad
Cameron Handley
Roar Rookie
needs scepovic and kruse to work out, as frankly nobody else on the roster scores goals. i've seen nothing out of majok other than chasing after the ball. in that sense, he seems to be a direct replacement for dehmie. with chapman gone, i would expect trewin to move back in to the back 3 with aldred and neville, and gomulka playing as the screen. this is a massive improvement, as it adds ball progression in both lines (trewin being an excellent passer with more space at the back, gomulka a more natural midfielder). i have to laugh when any coach in australia gets questioned tactically when they don't play a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1. national curriculum has really done a number on the tactical knowledge of those in this country.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
on paper it looks like united has an abundance of midfield options now, but dont forget bernado, madana & yull will be away for 4 weeks (possibly more) with the australian under 20's team & juandes out for the season - also alot of the youth team players that are capable of playing in midfield have been released and signed to sa npl clubs (mollas, mcnamara etc etc) yup, right about duzell - he was a knights jnr, and is a tidy player he was also one of rudans favourite young players at western united (big wraps, considering rudes doesn't play many kids in his sides) he'll add a bit of much needed height in the under sized engine room (over 6 foot) but at the end of the day was he actually needed? - its only a contract to the end of the season so we'll see what happens as for barnett i cant say how chuffed i am to finally have jay come home, he was a player that adelaide should've fought harder to sign, instead of letting brissy pounce years ago - i know his dad quite well and the family is absolutely over the moon with this move.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Noah Smith he was terrible for Victory but he was very good for the Mariners years ago. Its a huge gamble to go for someone whose recent performances seem to have gotten them dumped from Victory. Kruse at his age and injuries they need a miracle to happen for him to be good. Gomulka was Kisnorbos new hitman, in the ACL I think he played the most minutes when they had 6 games in next to no time. The he started the season with Kisnorbo but him getting that red card meant he was out of the team, then Vidosic took over and thats his problem. I have no doubt if Kisnorbo was still around he would have gotten a lot more game time and still be at City. However he didnt look the same aggressive player when he come on late against Adelaide and he isn't an attacking player in the slightest he is a no 6. Majok I have been impressed by but both times he has come on, but why sub him on at the 90th minute . Looks to get involved win balls etc. They should have started with him instead of Austin. Canadi this guy looked a joke, and then I look at his record, hasn't scored a first division goal in Austria or Croatia thats not exactly a high level. Second division Austria, its more like the NPL here. Compare that to Dobras whose credentials are a mile higher. Gambling on a 33 year old striker with a dodgy record , if he is as lazy as Austin then they will be looking for the wooden spoon.
coolncold
Roar Rookie
Talking about O'Shea and Canadi, there can be an arrangement. For long, Roars' performance depends very much on O'Shea's execution. He is good on attack but not as good on defence. That is why, again, it is suggested that O'Shea should play like Broich. He, O'Shea should play at the left winger position. As for the formation, B Roar is actually playing 5 defenders in a 3-4-3 formation, plus Trewin as a defending mid fielder. For example, in the match vs AU on 4 Feb 23, the 6 defenders are Chapman, Aldred, Neville, Perkins, Trewin and Hingert. With so many defenders, how can the team score? For the attackers, Knowles does not know how to poach and position. Suggestion: 4-3-3 O'shea_____Majok (Scepovic)____Hore (Kruse) Armiento (Canadi)____Akbari (Gomulka)____Hingert (Zabala) Perkins________Trewin_________Neville__________B.South ________________________Holmes_____________________