Muppet
Well-Known Member
Since the first season I can't say I have ever been this excited for the A League. Two major Socceroos returning to the scene and a host of fringe players in the league make for a very promising season. Let us not forget the amount of quality overseas players who have been recruited by various teams. It has almost been a case of the A League being rebooted and started again ala season 1.
The level of public interest which has been generated with the return of Kewell and Emerton is something that the League has been craving for the last couple of years. How these two players perform will in my opinion shape the future of the league in the mind of the general public. This is not to say that the existing players lack that spark but when two legendary Australian players issue a statement of confidence and intent it says a lot about the perceived quality of the competition.
There have been numerous predictions on where the various teams will finish this year. If we look at the off season recruitment of the teams I think this will be a very exciting season that will go down to the wire and generate a real level of interest given the quality on the park.
In no particular order if we cast our eyes over the teams it throws up some mouth watering possibilities.
Melbourne Victory has a new coach, no Muscat and a talisman in Kewell. Throw in the likes of Allsopp, Thompson, Hernandez, Solorzono and Cernak attacking options exist across the park. The key question will be how will they perform with no Muscat in the back line.
Adelaide has assembled a team full of experience. Look no further than the recruitment of McKain, Vidosic and Usucar. In Djite and van Dijk they have two clinical and damgerous marksmen. Throw in Galekovic and Birighitti between the sticks they have a very formidible side coached by someone who has a lot of experience.
Perth have assembled what appears to be a very strong side. The recruitment of Smeltz, Van Dan Brink, McGarry and Vukovic creates a very solid spine for the side. The only thing that casts major doubts on this sides ability to perform is the coach. Will he last the season? Lets wait and see.
Despite the loss of some key players I have no doubt that Brisbane will prove difficult to beat again this year. The fast transition and mobile nature of the side will be a joy to watch again. The X factor is Broich and it will be interesting to see how he performs in his second season at the Roar.
Love him or loathe him you cant fault Palmer for placing his kahunas on the table and continuing to fund GCU. I don't see them being near the top of the table this year. Strange things can happen though. A lot of the younger players were in the youth set up which won the title last year. The recruitment of a few experienced players may end up causing some of the more favoured teams a headache in my opinion.
A new owner and a new Marquee at the Jets in the form of Culina will be interesting to see. It appears that they have been very quite in the recruitment side of things this off season. I cant see them doing anything spectacular this year. That is unless they splurge heavily on a massive big name Marquee.
I fear for Wellington this season. It has been well known that the owner has had some financial issues which may be unsettling for the players who will be asking if and when they will be paid. A largely unchanged and uninspiring side from last year has me believing that they will be stale and will probably finish with the wooden spoon.
Will Heart have improved after another season under the coach? They certainly have appeared to have recruited wisely particularly in Fred. No doubt the cross town derbies will be heated. I can only see a mid table finish this year.
Sydney appear to ooze class in the form of Emerton and Carle who will form a formidable partnership in the mid field. If Carle has overcome his injuries and put behind the weight of expectation which was riding on him last year Sydney are going to be very very dangerous. Beauchamp, Coyne and Bosschaart in the backline will provide a strong defensive wall. Petratos and Cazarine will have found their feet and there will be no doubting that they will be dangerous given the service of Emerton and Carle. Dare I say it Sydney appear to be the danger side this year.
Last but not least let us not forget our team the mighty Mariners. Always written off by the press and footballing public there can be no denying that what we may lack in big name signings we make up in teamwork and sheer belief in ourselves. Arnie has done some shrewd recruitment in the off season. Hearfield and Pelligrino bring some real steel and creativity to the middle of the park. Bernie is now in the senior team and will come on in leaps and bounds this year. I suspect that the other sides will have cottoned onto our style of play and we may not find things so easy this year. Having said that I have no doubt that come grand final day we will be there.
So what does all this mean? It means that this season almost feels like season one again. Excitement abounds, there is a real feeling of expectation across the clubs and the fans are buzzing and anxious for the season to start. Am I excited. You bet.
The level of public interest which has been generated with the return of Kewell and Emerton is something that the League has been craving for the last couple of years. How these two players perform will in my opinion shape the future of the league in the mind of the general public. This is not to say that the existing players lack that spark but when two legendary Australian players issue a statement of confidence and intent it says a lot about the perceived quality of the competition.
There have been numerous predictions on where the various teams will finish this year. If we look at the off season recruitment of the teams I think this will be a very exciting season that will go down to the wire and generate a real level of interest given the quality on the park.
In no particular order if we cast our eyes over the teams it throws up some mouth watering possibilities.
Melbourne Victory has a new coach, no Muscat and a talisman in Kewell. Throw in the likes of Allsopp, Thompson, Hernandez, Solorzono and Cernak attacking options exist across the park. The key question will be how will they perform with no Muscat in the back line.
Adelaide has assembled a team full of experience. Look no further than the recruitment of McKain, Vidosic and Usucar. In Djite and van Dijk they have two clinical and damgerous marksmen. Throw in Galekovic and Birighitti between the sticks they have a very formidible side coached by someone who has a lot of experience.
Perth have assembled what appears to be a very strong side. The recruitment of Smeltz, Van Dan Brink, McGarry and Vukovic creates a very solid spine for the side. The only thing that casts major doubts on this sides ability to perform is the coach. Will he last the season? Lets wait and see.
Despite the loss of some key players I have no doubt that Brisbane will prove difficult to beat again this year. The fast transition and mobile nature of the side will be a joy to watch again. The X factor is Broich and it will be interesting to see how he performs in his second season at the Roar.
Love him or loathe him you cant fault Palmer for placing his kahunas on the table and continuing to fund GCU. I don't see them being near the top of the table this year. Strange things can happen though. A lot of the younger players were in the youth set up which won the title last year. The recruitment of a few experienced players may end up causing some of the more favoured teams a headache in my opinion.
A new owner and a new Marquee at the Jets in the form of Culina will be interesting to see. It appears that they have been very quite in the recruitment side of things this off season. I cant see them doing anything spectacular this year. That is unless they splurge heavily on a massive big name Marquee.
I fear for Wellington this season. It has been well known that the owner has had some financial issues which may be unsettling for the players who will be asking if and when they will be paid. A largely unchanged and uninspiring side from last year has me believing that they will be stale and will probably finish with the wooden spoon.
Will Heart have improved after another season under the coach? They certainly have appeared to have recruited wisely particularly in Fred. No doubt the cross town derbies will be heated. I can only see a mid table finish this year.
Sydney appear to ooze class in the form of Emerton and Carle who will form a formidable partnership in the mid field. If Carle has overcome his injuries and put behind the weight of expectation which was riding on him last year Sydney are going to be very very dangerous. Beauchamp, Coyne and Bosschaart in the backline will provide a strong defensive wall. Petratos and Cazarine will have found their feet and there will be no doubting that they will be dangerous given the service of Emerton and Carle. Dare I say it Sydney appear to be the danger side this year.
Last but not least let us not forget our team the mighty Mariners. Always written off by the press and footballing public there can be no denying that what we may lack in big name signings we make up in teamwork and sheer belief in ourselves. Arnie has done some shrewd recruitment in the off season. Hearfield and Pelligrino bring some real steel and creativity to the middle of the park. Bernie is now in the senior team and will come on in leaps and bounds this year. I suspect that the other sides will have cottoned onto our style of play and we may not find things so easy this year. Having said that I have no doubt that come grand final day we will be there.
So what does all this mean? It means that this season almost feels like season one again. Excitement abounds, there is a real feeling of expectation across the clubs and the fans are buzzing and anxious for the season to start. Am I excited. You bet.
