The performance of Melbourne City on Sunday night was extremely disappointing and unacceptable.
Hats off to Adelaide United, who, under the guidance of Carl Veart, are looking deadly in attack.
Nestory Irankunda started the scoring early with a worldly free-kick, and from there, it was United’s night with fellow young gun, Bernardo Oliveira, bagging a double off the bench.
Melbourne City were dismantled, outplayed, and looked sloppy.
To say the schedule is taking a toll on City is true, but surely a side with experienced internationals and a Socceroo would put in a performance that is not deserving of a 6-0 embarrassment.
What is strange is that City led the possession stats with 60 per cent possession and only two shots on target.
It is like City does not have that attacking flair that made them successful last year.
Jamie Mclaren had only seven touches for the match, while Callum Talbot had a howler for City.
Melbourne City’s Jamie Maclaren. (Photo by Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images)
Under Radio Vidosic, City have recorded 11 wins, six draws, and three losses, including the disastrous Grand Final.
I know City are on top of their group in the Asian Champions League, but quite frankly, it doesn’t scream quality.
Having Aziz Behich, Steven Ugarkovic, Jamie Young, Terry Antonis, Tolgay Arslan, Marin Jakolis, Leo Natal, and Samuel Souprayen on paper looks good. Still, when it comes down to it, they need to gel and grow.
This was quite evident yesterday, but also in City’s past matches, especially the Australian Cup semi-final against Sydney FC, where City looked static and confused.
When you are a side that is expected year in and year out to be contending for the title and have the squad quality that City boast, then questions should be raised about Vidosic’s management.
It is harsh to question the gaffer, but in this instance, you have to because Vidosic brought the players, and in return, it is looking like the season from hell.
City need to rebound quickly, or this will be ugly. We know how important a winning side is to the fans, but we saw last year that when clubs are struggling, naturally, the fan attendance is less, and it is vital for City to have a high attendance for home games.
So what now for City? They will tackle Sydney FC on Friday night, which will be a crucial affair for all involved. We already know what City needs to do, while Sydney, they are under pressure already after being demolished by Brisbane Roar and losing the Big Blue the previous week.
This is strange. After their Australia Cup heroics, Sydney FC, with Patrick Wood, Joe Lolley, and Robert Mak firing on all cylinders, seemed like they were the real deal, but that has changed now.
Manager Steve Corica spoke post-match on Friday and said there needs to be a defensive reset with defender Jack Rodwell still out due to a hamstring injury.
Both sides have quality on the park, so it will be an entertaining match.
For the winner on Friday night, there will be a chance to take a deep breath; while for the loser, more scrutiny and lacklustre crowds.
Garry
Roar Rookie
btw Unite Round tickets on sale Mon for some!! see Keep up!
Garry
Roar Rookie
Sydney FC INS: 12. Corey HOLLMAN (return from concussion), 16. Joel KING (return from injury) OUTS: None
JoshW
Roar Rookie
Not as BORNING as AFL in Western Sydney
Beach
Roar Rookie
This article aged well.
chris1
Roar Rookie
Grem I don't know if there is anyone ready to replace him. He's also been very successful at SFC which people tend to forget. Everyone is always quick to want to dismiss a coach hoping the new one coming in will do the trick. I think he deserves to see out the season. Then make a decision.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Thats just a cover story, from what I saw the FA were going to pretend to bid, just so they could stop a rival bid which is only going to come from another Japan South Korea bid. This is what you get with the Australian media and they have censored all my posts on here as well about this.
Tigerinthetank
Roar Rookie
Well Rado Vidosic has been replaced by Aurelio Vidmar so this puts a new spin on things
NoMates
Roar Rookie
Battle of the spoon! This game has BORNING written all over it. Predict a 0-0 snooze fest.
Garry
Roar Rookie
"We have explored the opportunity to bid to host the FIFA World Cup and — having taken all factors into consideration — we have reached the conclusion not to do so for the 2034 competition," FA said in a statement.
Rodger King
Roar Rookie
Taking a saying from the late great Brian Clough - We had a good team on paper. Unfortunately, the game was played on grass, Both of these teams [SFC and City] have good squads and I am in no doubt will at some stage put it together on the park but currently, they are struggling. Sacking someone because players don't or can't perform is really harsh. I found another great saying from Brian Clough, which we all should hold onto:- Saturday comes once again, welcome or not, it comes again like it always does, welcome or not, wanted or not, another judgement day. - The chance to be saved, the chance to be damned. Two games in, still a long wat to go.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
https://www.ftbl.com.au/news/vidosic-hanging-by-a-thread-as-city-suffer-alm-nightmare-601850
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Probably the game of the round because of the coaching intrigue. If City look bereft of ideas and aimless, as we’ve been, then watch out Rado. No amount of possession will make up for a loss.
NickA
Roar Rookie
Don't think Sydney have as much of an excuse as an injury stricken City. That being said, Vidosic cannot last. I don't know what's wrong with Corica but it's never seemed smooth sailing to him - particularly if you compare to his predecessor.
Grem
Roar Rookie
You’ve never indicated a quickness to get rid of coaches. Your thoughts on Corica, Chris?
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Rado with Leckie and Nabbout they would be a lot better. This ACL schedule and your going to tropical countries and playing in that heat its twice as draining. The Brazilian loan player was walking around instead of defending as well. Aslan has been good but was missing in this Adelaide match. Sydney were looking very good till a late shopping spree by Corica has gone wrong combined with injuries , when JCP is on the field they have not scored a goal and conceeded heaps. Gomes had a tap in and penalty and people somehow decided he was a top striker. Corica is certainly the number one target in the country, I think he has upset the football mafia in this country in a huge way and I would like to hear what exactly he did. Rado is a straight up bloke just incompetent, Corica and John Aloisi suspicions will linger, the difference Aloisi has been doing funny stuff since the second season at Heart, Corica its more a recent phenomenon.
chris1
Roar Rookie
Both teams have looked very ordinary thus far. Both teams have the quality (on paper as you said) to turn it around and challenge this season. Sydney look awful at the back and City have looked bereft of ideas going forward. This should be a game of contrasts and home ground advantage should probably give City the advantage. If SFC go 3 losses from 3 it could get very interesting for Corica.