A-League Season 7 Preview

Well we're less than a week out from the start of the league so that can mean only one thing.  Time for a bit of a preview, so in reverse order of where I think they finish this season let's have a look at each of the teams.

Wellington Phoenix
It's been a tough off-season for the Nix with things dominated by the precarious financial position of former owner Terry Seripesos.  They've got new owners in place now but seem to be well behind the pace with recruitment and injuries are not helping their cause.  They seem well stocked in goal with Kiwi international Mark Paston and former EPL custodian Tony Warner.  But beyond that they really are struggling in terms of depth.  They also need to find a solution to their travel woes and start to pick up more points on the road.  The Phoenix may have been solid competitors since joining the league, but I can't see them avoiding the wooden spoon this year.

Newcastle Jets
The Jets may have a cashed up owner but I'm far from convinced about their credentials.  They are a solid squad but lack a real goal scorer.  They played decent football last season but really lacked a cutting edge in attack and I don't think that is going to change.  Even without a ball kicked they have suffered a blow with star signing Jason Culina ruled out for the season with injury.  Personally I think that could well be the defining moment for the Jets.  Culina's signing seemed nothing more than a dose of nepotism by his father with the club needing a quality striker rather than another midfielder.  Ironically it's backfired horribly and could define a season of woe for the Jets.

Perth Glory
As the saying goes it doesn't matter how much you polish a turd, it is still a turd and that brings us to Perth Glory.  Last season was a shocker for them and they have gone on a major rebuilding since then.  Initially they seemed to be heading with much more of youth policy but that was quickly shelved as they brought in experienced players from around the traps.  There are definitely some quality players in this side but the major question mark hangs over the coach Ian Ferguson.  He has failed to impress both last season and the season before with North Queensland.  Perth showed little in terms of tactical nous or discipline last season and one has to wonder just how much Ferguson can turn this around.  On paper they look at good side but I'm just not convinced Ferguson can get the best out of them and I'm not convinced their old legs will handle the travel.

Melbourne Heart
I'm a big believer that in all football codes you need a strong defence as the basis on which to allow you to play attacking football.  Heart have some exciting attacking options but look decidedly thin at the back.  I can't see them scoring enough goals to cover for their lack of depth at the back.  To be honest I'm really surprised that they haven't strengthened that part of the game more.  They've rebuilt a lot from last season with a bunch of veterans replaced but I still don't see them achieving anything more than a mid-table finish.

Gold Coast United
The bling has definitely departed the Gold Coast but so too seems any sense of real direction.  Early in the off-season we heard how they were going to be following a more youth based focus.  But that plan was shelved along with certain rules around the number of visa players and pretty much any sense of decency around their treatment of players.  Bizarrely the FFA gave approval to the club to sign two extra foreigners at the expense of two youngsters who were relegated back to the youth squad.  Just why GCU are allowed seven visa players when everyone else has just five I do not know.  Anyway it seems Bleiberg's strategy this season is based around getting as many defenders on the park as possible with a few strikers up front to hopefully grab some goals. I doubt GCU will be pretty to watch but I think they will be tough to beat.  They'll scrape into the finals but not really threaten.

Sydney FC
Last season was something of an anus horribilus for Sydney and their coach Viteslav Lavicka.  Despite many calls for his head he has held his job and will be looking to resurrect his reputation.  Sydney's recruiting has been highlighted by the signing of Brett Emerton which should at least help pull a few fans back.  But they need to tighten up their leaky defence and the inclusion of Michael Beauchamp and Pascal Bosschaart will be key to that.  Up front they have guys who can score some goals and they have some creativity in midfield as well.  But the squad doesn't look significantly stronger than last season.  I can't see the sky blues reaching great heights but they'll not be as bad as last time out.

Melbourne Victory
Maybe there is something in the Yarra but it seems that both halves of the Melbourne aren't overly interested in the defensive side of the game. Victory have recruited a wealth of attacking talent but it's at the back that they look susceptible.  There's not much depth at the back and if plan A does not work they could be in a bit of trouble.  But up the other end they have the likes of  Harry Kewell, Archie Thompson, Jean Carlos Solorzano, Danny Allsopp, Marco Rojas, Isaka Cernak and Carles Hernandez. I reckon they will score a lot of goals but I'm not convinced they have the midfield or defence to really allow them to capitalise on that wealth of attacking talent.  New coach Mehment Durakovic is unproven in the A-League though he has shown reasonable ability in the ACL as caretaker.  With Kewell as a drawcard there will be plenty of punters at Victory games and I'm sure there will also be plenty of goals.  But I don't think they quite have the squad to mount more than a creditable campaign.

Central Coast Mariners
The Mariners are the most stable squad in the league and that will benefit them greatly.  They've got some a good balanced squad and have some really exciting young talent coming through the ranks.  Unfortunately they have lost their young playmaker Mustafa Amini for the start of the season with a groin injury.  But I think Bernie Ibini-Isei could be the one to really blossom this season and could take the role of the club's main strike weapon.  There's enough depth in this side to ensure that they will be a genuine threat throughout the season but I think that they'll finish just short of real success this season.

Brisbane Roar
It hasn't been the easiest off-season for the reigning champions with ownership changes and player departures.  But the Roar look to have a good squad again and we all know just how effective their team based system can be.  The big question will be whether they can replace the goals lost with the departures of Barbarouses and Solorzano.  In that sense much is likely to fall onto the shoulders of Issey Nakajima-Farran and Besart Berisha.  I think the Roar will start a little slowly but build up momentum as the season progresses.  New owners are rumoured to be close and there is space in the squad for additions if needed.  Champions last year but I think it might be second place this time around.

Adelaide United
If you wanted to look at the blueprint for how to recruit an A-League side then Adelaide may just well be it. They have impressed with good signings all over the park and really look a threat this season.  Rini Coolen is a good coach and with a squad that fits better with his approach than maybe what he had last time I can see the Reds reaching the top.  They are strong from back to front and have good depth all over the park.  You can talk all you like about high profile individual signings but football is a team game and Adelaide may well have put together the best squad in the league.