Now that the AFL and NRL Grand Finals are out of the way, it’s time for the real football to begin. After probably the biggest off-season in the A-League’s short history, the first round of matches kickoff this weekend and aren’t we all bloody excited? 

A quick glance on Twitter reveals the huge levels of excitement for the league this season. If the anticipation is getting too much for you, here is a dissection of the ten competing clubs that will certainly whet your appetite for the coming weekend.

 

ADELAIDE UNITED

Manager: Rini Coolen (appointed 2010)

Last Season: 3rd

INS: Milan Susak (Minangkabau FC),  Antony Golec (Sydney United), Zenon Caravella (Gold Coast United), Spase Dilevski (Universitatea Craiova), Bruce Djite (Gold Coast United), Osama Malik (North Queensland Fury), Jon McKain (Al-Nasr), Dario Vidosic (Nurnberg), Evgeniy Levchenko (Willem II)

OUTS: Robert Cornthwaite (Chunnam Dragons), Iain Fyfe (Busan I’Park), Travis Dodd (Perth Glory), Lucas Pantelis (Wellington), Adam Hughes (Perth Glory), Matthew Leckie (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Marcos Flores (Henan Jianye)

The burning question regarding Adelaide United is have they adequately replaced the attacking trio of Marcos Flores, Travis Dodd and Matthew Leckie? They formed a devastating quartet with prolific striker Sergio Van Dijk and filled the three places below the Dutch poacher in the club goalscoring charts. Flores’ extraordinary playmaking abilities won him last years Johnny Warren Medal and his influence will be solely missed. Coolen will hope the signings of Zenon Caravella and Dario Vidosic will offset the loss of Flores’ creative ability. The loss of solid defensive pillars Robert Cornthwaite and Iain Fyfe has been replaced by several defensive signings including former Brisbane championship winner Milan Susak, Spase Dilevski and Antony Golec. However, the feather in Coolen’s cap is the signing of two experienced internationals in Jon McKain and Evgeniy Levchenko.

Prediction: Adelaide have compiled a strong, experienced squad but there is a question mark over the club’s performance in big matches, namely finals. A squad that contains such players as excellent goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic, proven A-League gun McKain and arguably the best striker in the league in Van Dijk, will be expecting to make the finals. I believe that they will comfortably make finals, but can they step up and grab the ultimate prize?

 

BRISBANE ROAR

Manager: Ange Postecoglou (app. 2009)

Last Season: 1st

INS: Sayed Adnan (Al-Khor), Besart Berisha (Arminia Bielefeld), Issey Nakajima-Farran (AC Horsens), Kofi Danning (Sydney FC), Matthew Jurman (Sydney FC), Jack Hingert (Dandenong Thunder)

OUTS: Matt McKay (Rangers), Jean Carlos Solorzano (Melbourne Victory), Kosta Barbarouses (FC Alania Vladikavkaz), Luke DeVere (Gyeongnam FC)

The all-conquering Brisbane Roar had an extraordinary 2010/2011 season winning the Premiers and Championship trophies in style. The quality of football they played was arguably the best seen since the commencement of the A-League in 2005. However, with such incredible success came the inevitability of players furthering their careers to greener pastures. During the off-season, Roar lost their best defender (Luke DeVere), their two best strikers (Barbarouses and Solorzano) and their captain (Matt McKay). These losses are huge blows to the quality of the Roar side which is softened by the fact that German ace Thomas Broich has stayed with the club. The big unknown is whether the three internationals they have signed can replace the talent departing. Bahraini stopper Sayed Adnan, Albanian winger Besart Berisha and Canadian midfielder Issey Nakajima-Farran will need to pick up the slack if Roar are going to challenge. The two signings from Sydney FC, Kofi Danning and Matthew Jurman, are both promising players who could live up to their potentials under Postecoglou.

Prediction: I honestly can’t see Roar being the dominant force they were last season. The players that have left were all integral parts of the dominant system employed by Postecoglou. Whether or not Roar will challenge for honours is dependent on the acclimitisation of the new international trio. This season will be a test of last year’s excellent system with a core group of new players. It would be a shock if Roar didn’t make the finals but question marks remain after the loss of such quality footballers.

 

CENTRAL COAST MARINERS

Manager: Graham Arnold (app. 2010)

Last Season: 2nd

INS: Michael Baird (Perth Glory), Troy Hearfield (Wellington Phoenix), Stuart Musialik (Sydney FC), Justin Pasfield (North Queensland Fury), Adriano Pellegrino (Perth Glory), Brad McDonald (North Queensland Fury)

OUTS: Jess Vanstrattan (released), Patricio Perez (Club Atlético All Boys)

 

After a magnificent 2010/2011 campaign that resulted in just falling short at the final hurdle, the Mariners have retained the nucleus of the squad for the upcoming season. The only players to move on are out-of-favour former Juventus goalkeeper Jess Vanstrattan and homesick Argentinian midfielder Patricio Perez. In return, Arnold has slightly strengthened his squad which should ensure they retain their status as championship challengers. The Mariners have bolstered their midfield options with the signings of experienced A-League duo Stuart Musialik and Adriano Pellegrino. With the nagging groin injury that has sidelined midfield prodigy Mustafa Amini, Pellegrino is expected to have an important role early in the season as the playmaker in Arnold’s 4-4-2 diamond. In keeping with the experience theme, the Mariners have also brought in goalkeeper Jusin Pasfield, midfielder Troy Hearfield and striker Michael Baird. This trio have significant A-League experience and gives Arnold a wealth of options.

Prediction: With a strengthened squad, the Mariners have the ability to replicate last year’s feats and will hope to go one better. Talismanic striker Matt Simon, who scored 11 goals last season, will be integral to the Mariners chances this season. If Simon manages to fire and promising youngster Bernie Ibini-Isei continues to develop, Arnold could have a potent strike force on his hands. I am confident the Mariners will make the finals and any improvement on last season could result in them holding the championship aloft.

 

GOLD COAST UNITED

Manager: Miron Bleiberg (app. 2009)

Last Season: 4th

INS: Peter Jungschlager (De Graafschap), Maceo Rigters (Willem II), Dylan Macallister (Wellington Phoenix), Paul Beekmans (SC Cambuur), Ante Rozic (Arka Gdynia), Dylan McGowan (Loan from Hearts), Samuel Ghebrehiwet (Western Strikers), Ambair Sium (Western Strikers)

OUTS: Jason Culina (Newcastle Jets), Zenon Caravella (Adelaide United), Bruce Djite (Adelaide United), Dino Djulbic (Shaanxi Chanba), Steve Pantelidis (Bintang Medan), Bas van den Brink (Perth Glory), Shane Smeltz (Perth Glory)

 

With the most extensive list of departures of any club, Gold Coast are looking like they may struggle this season. While losing Jason Culina may be a blessing in disguise, the loss of energetic playmaker Zenon Caravella to Adelaide United will hurt. However, the biggest losses are proven A-League goalscorers in Shane Smeltz and Bruce Djite. Bleiberg will be hoping the high-profile aquisition of former Blackburn Rovers striker Maceo Rigters will replace the attacking talent that has departed. By all reports, experienced Dutch central defender Paul Beekmans should be a solid addition to the squad. Beekmans played 195 times for FC Den Bosch in the Eredivisie and his experience should help his younger teammates. The most interesting news to come out of Skilled Park was the double signing of Eritrean refugees Samuel Ghebrehiwet and Ambair Sium. Gold Coast got special permission from the FFA to sign the pair and whether they will make any impact is a complete unknown.

Prediction: The quality of players that have departed Gold Coast suggest that the club will be at the bottom end of the table come the end of the season. You can’t take such attacking quality out of a side and expect to challenge for finals without replacing it. It is however an interesting experiment by the club in trying to produce a side that is heavily reliant on developing youth. Maybe Bleiberg willl prove us all wrong and unearth some gems from the youth squad. But I firmly believe that Gold Coast will be competing with Wellington for the dishonour of finishing bottom.

 

MELBOURNE HEART

Manager: John Van’t Schip (app. 2010)

Last Season: 8th

INS: Maycon (Nova Iguacu), Fred (DC United), Mate Dugandzic (Melbourne Victory), David Williams (North Queensland Fury), Jonathan Germano (Sportivo Luqueno)

OUTS: John Aloisi (retired), Dean Heffernan (Liaoning Whowin), Josip Skoko (retired), Gerald Sibon (Heerenveen), Michael Beauchamp (Sydney FC)

The interesting fact among the departures from Melbourne Heart is that they have lost five experienced players. However, these players were all either past playing professionally or expendable to the squad. In addition to the retirements of John Aloisi and Josip Skoko, Heart released the experienced trio of Dean Heffernan, Gerald Sibon and Michael Beauchamp. The additions to Van’t Schip’s squad have been targeted to fit into the system that the Dutch manager employs. The two unknown quantities are the South Americans’ Maycon and Jonathan Germano. Both players have impressed in pre-season and Heart will be hoping they fit in well. The two biggest additions to Heart’s squad have a distinctly Melbourne Victory flavour. Former Victory players Fred and Mate Dugandzic should add some some significant flair and alternative to the Heart attack.

Prediction: I’m expecting Heart to be one of the biggest improvers this season. Van’t Schip has assembled a mobile attack that includes plenty of pace and flair. The squad also has a significant youthful flavour with up and coming stars such as Adrian Zahra and Brendan Hamill. Alex Terra is primed to have a big season and if he fires then Heart should be hovering around a finals spot at the end of the season.

 

MELBOURNE VICTORY

Manager: Mehmet Durakovic (app. 2011)

Last Season: 5th

INS: Ante Covic (Elfsborg), Tando Velaphi (Perth Glory), Isaka Cernak (North Queensland Fury), Jean-Carlos Solórzano (loan Alajuelense via Brisbane Roar), Marco Rojas (Wellington Phoenix), Harry Kewell (Galatasaray), Fabio Alves Macedo (Volta Redonda), Lawrence Thomas (Sheffield United)

OUTS: Ricardinho (Loan to Parana), Mate Dugandzic (Melbourne Heart), Surat Sukha (Buriram), Marvin Angulo (CS Herediano), Sebastian Mattei (Released), Geoff Kellaway (Released), Evan Berger (Perth Glory), Robbie Kruse (Fortuna Dusseldorf), Kevin Muscat (Retired), Michael Petkovic (Retired)

 

Victory have assembled the most potent attack in the A-League. After sending last season’s flop Ricardinho back to Brazil and releasing Robbie Kruse to further his career in Europe, Victory replaced the duo with some lethal signings. In the biggest coup in the league’s short history, Victory managed to attract Australian superstar Harry Kewell to the club. The former Liverpool attacker can play anywhere in the forward half and will be a handful to A-League defences. The club also managed to poach Brisbane striker Jean-Carlos Solorzano and Wellington prodigy Marco Rojas. Solorzano scored 9 goals for Roar last season and will compete will Danny Allsopp for the striking position. Rojas starred for Wellington at the back-end of last season and is ready to explode on Victory’s flanks this season. The only concerns are defensive. Veteran centre-half Kevin Muscat retired to become an assistant coach and Victory also lost two full backs in Surat Sukha and Evan Berger. The only defensive player coming in to the squad is Brazilian left back Fabio. Victory will be heavily reliant on unproven players such as Peter Franjic, Matt Foschini and Diego Ferreira to provide defensive depth. With the long-term injury to keeper’ Tando Velaphi, Durakovic brought in Australia international Ante Covic to cover the loss.

Prediction: The only thing that could potentially stop Victory going all the way is the lack of quality defensive options. For whatever reasons, the club hasn’t signed enough cover for the losses in the off-season. However, Durakovic has possibly the best attack at his disposal in A-League history and they will score plenty of goals. Victory will comfortably make finals but question marks hang over a weakened defence that will need to stand up in the big matches.

 

NEWCASTLE JETS

Manager: Craig Deans (interim app. 2011)

Last Season: 7th

INS: Tiago Calvano (Fortuna Dusseldorf), Byun Sung-Hwan (Sydney FC), Chris Payne (North Queensland Fury), Jason Culina (Gold Coast United)

OUTS: Adam D’Apuzzo (APIA Leichhardt), Zhang Shuo (Shenzhen Phoenix), Sasho Petrovski (South Coast Wolves), Sean Rooney (Released), Michael Bridges (Retired), Marcello Fiorentini (Released), Neil Young (Perth Glory), Brodie Mooy (Parramatta FC), Kaz Patafta (Released)

After a tumultuous off-season which has involved the season-ending knee injury to marquee signing Jason Culina and the removal of his father Branko Culina as manager, the Jets will be eagarly waiting for the season to start. Taking into account that Culina will miss this season, Newcastle’s squad hasn’t really improved. Experienced strikers Sasho Petrovski and Michael Bridges have moved on leaving the club short of goalscoring options. Former Sydney and Fury striker Chris Payne has been signed to fill the void. Payne has a lot of promise but has so far failed to display it as often as we have hoped. Defensive signings Tiago Calvano and Byun Sung-Hwan should bolster their defensive options. With the lack of improvement in the off-season, the Jets will struggle to improve on last year’s finish.

Prediction: The club is currently in turmoil and it’s going to be tough to start the season on a positive note. The loss of Culina turns a potential quality midfield into an average one. The lack of gooalscoring options also means that Newcastle should struggle this season. If they finished higher than there position last season, I would be very surprised.

 

PERTH GLORY

Manager: Ian Ferguson (app. 2010)

Last Season: 10th

INS: Travis Dodd (Adelaide United), Shane Smeltz (Gold Coast United), Liam Miller (Hibernian), Bas Van Den Brink (Gold Coast United), Danny Vukovic (Wellington Phoenix), Evan Berger (Melbourne Victory), Adam Hughes (Adelaide United), Neil Young (Newcastle Jets), Billy Mehmet (Samsunspor), Andrezinho (Consadole Sapporo), Jesse Makarounas (Australian Institute of Sport)

OUTS: Tando Velaphi (Melbourne Victory), Jamie Coyne (Sydney FC), Adriano Pellegrino (Central Coast Mariners), Robbie Fowler (Muangthong United), Andy Todd (Oldham), Andrija Jukic (Bogar Raya), Brent Griffiths (Stirling Lions), Branko Jelic (Released), Howard Fondyke (Released), Alex Pearson (Released), Naum Sekulovski (Released), Dean Heffernan (Liaoning), Anthony Skorich (Released)

 

Perth have undergone the biggest changes of any A-League club with almost an entire new first XI brought in by Ferguson. After releasing a swag of expendable players, the Glory also relinquished the services of several important players including goalkeeper Tando Velaphi, defender Jamie Coyne, midfielder Adriano Pellegrino and English legend Robbie Fowler. Despite losing some experienced players, Perth have made some significant player signings that suggest a huge improvement in their squad. Shane Smeltz, the prolific Kiwi goalscorer, has been enticed to Western Australia and his record suggests he is more likely to hit 10+ goals than not. Their midfield looks to have depth and variety with the signing of former Adelaide captain Travis Dodd, exciting Brazilian Andrezinho and former Manchester United player Liam Miller. Former Wellington goalkeeper Danny Vukovic has been signed as the replacement for the departed Velaphi. English striker Billy Mehmet could be a wildcard after spending the majority of his career playing in the Scottish Premier League and the Turkish Super Lig.

Prediction: With almost an entire new squad at his disposal, Ferguson will be under pressure to succeed. However, I think that the Glory have signed astutely and will be one of the surprise packets this season. If they can provide quality service to Shane Smeltz, then the Glory will have no problem making the finals. I believe that they are a darkhorse to go all the way this season if evertything gels.

 

SYDNEY FC

Manager: Vitezslav Lavicka

Last Season: 9th

INS: Brett Emerton (Blackburn Rovers), Jamie Coyne (Perth Glory), Pascal Bosschaart (ADO Den Haag), Michael Beauchamp (Melbourne Heart), Karol Kisel (Slavia Prague)

OUTS: Stephan Keller (Released), Hayden Foxe (Retired), Brendan Gan (Released), Stuart Musialik (Central Coast Mariners), Kofi Danning (Brisbane Roar), Matt Jurman (Brisbane Roar), Byun Sung-Hwan (Newcastle Jets), Anthony Golec (Released)

 

Sydney FC secured one of the coups of the off-season in luring Brett Emerton back to Australia. The current Australian international featured for Blackburn in the EPL only a month ago and he will have a huge impact on the team. Lavicka has improved their squad but probably not as much as he had hoped. After releasing defenders Stephen Kellar, Hayden Foxe and Anthony Golec, the Sky Blues brought in the experienced defensive trio of Jamie Coyne, Michael Beauchamp and Dutch Eredivisie stalwart Pascal Bosschaart. This should ensure that Sydney will be a lot harder to break down. The real concern for Lavicka is the lack of consistent goalscoring options. He will be relying on a strike force that misfired for a lot of last season. In addition to the Emerton signing, Slovak midfielder Karol Kisel returns to the club and will help bolster the midfield. The club is extremely excited about the potential of two youth players in the tricky Terry Antonis and young striker Dimitri Petratos.

Prediction: The Sky Blues squad has improved but not significantly enough to be challenging for the championship this season. Whilst Lavicka has improved the midfield and their leaky defence, it remains to be seen whether the strikers can score enough goals to propel Sydney into top four calculations. Sydney’s success is reliant on how much time injury-prone playmaker Nick Carle can spend on the pitch. I believe that Sydney will make the finals but ultimate success will elude in the end.

 

WELLINGTON PHOENIX

Manager: Ricki Herbert

Last Season: 6th

INS: Nick Ward (Iraklis), Nik Tsattalios (Sutherland), Jimmy Downey (Sparta Rotterdam), Dani Sanchez (Inverness CT), Tony Warner (Tranmere), Lucas Pantelis (Adelaide United)

OUTS: Diego Walsh (Charleston Battery), Oscar Cornejo (Santa Rosa), James Musa (Released), Troy Hearfield (Central Coast Mariners), Jade North (FC Tokyo), Danny Vukovic (Perth Glory), Reece Crowther (Released), Dylan MacAllister (Gold Coast United), Marco Rojas (Melbourne Victory).

 

The Phoenix have been hit hard by injuries in the off-season to new signing Lucas Pantelis and striker Mirjan Pavlovic. Well travelled midfielder Nick Ward has returned to New Zealand to replace the huge loss of the pacy Pantelis. Phoenix have also signed the first Spanish player, midfielder Dani Sanchez, to feature in the A-League. There have, however, been some significant departures. Experienced goalkeeper Danny Vukovic has returned to the Australian mainland whilst solid defender Jade North has moved to Japan. Kiwi talent Marco Rojas was poached by Melbourne Victory and imposing striker Dylan Macallister has also left the club. The departures and recent injuries mean that the Phoenix squad is relatively thin and will be extremely reliant on striker Paul Ifill to provide the spark in attack.

Prediction: Wellington will almost certainly struggle this season with the lack of improvement to the squad. Any more injuries to a rather thin squad could ensure an absolute disastrous season. When Ifill is fit, he scores nearly a goal every two games and if he can spend more time on the park than on the injury list, Wellington may avoid the dishonour of finishing bottom of the league. Finals are definitely out of the question.

 

LEAGUE TABLE PREDICTION

1. Melbourne Victory
2. Adelaide United
3. Central Coast Mariners
4. Brisbane Roar
5. Perth Glory
6. Sydney FC
7. Melbourne Heart
8. Gold Coast United
9. Newcastle Jets
10. Wellington Phoenix

 

Follow Kieran on Twitter: @kieran_francis