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Sunday 25 November 2007

A-League wrap...not great was it!

Four games, four goals, four draws.

Not sure we learned a lot, but my winners of the weekend were the Central Coast Mariners.

With a nice lead up top a draw for all teams meant the Mariners were probably the happiest with a draw this weekend

Few teams sparked. Few players sparked.

Danny Vukovic was outstanding for The Mariners. Perhaps the game of the round. And The Mariners with Matt Simon and Adam Kwasnik coming on looked good for the whole ninety.

The Jets at home are always lively and Joel Griffith and rising star Tarek Elrich caught my eye. And young James Hoffman hit the post. It would have been great to see the young player score.

Elrich is playing with pace, aggression and skill. He's enjoying his games, and he looks full of energy and creativity. How much more can he improve?

Young player of the year? Not yet, but must be in with a shout.

The depth of the Mariners squad, the goalscorers throughout the team, a problem fixed since last season, may well drive The Mariners into Asia as the Minor Premiers.

Who can catch them now?

In Sydney both sides cancelled each other out. The Roar not so good away from home. But they play cagely and hit hard on the break. And aren't they tenacious around the midfield.

It was, to me, noticeable that the old men of Sydney, in David Zdrillic, Stevie Corica in midfield found it hard to put their stamp on the forward play for Sydney.

The Roar had chances, good chances. But Reinaldo couldn't finish. Still a point gained and another unbeaten game for The Roar and Frank Farina won't be disappointed.

John Kosmina's side looked tired and old, or in some cases both. Ruben Zadkovich was slow and he's not normally. Clearly jaded by the trip from North Korea. And with little pace in Corica and Zdrillic the team were too slow to move forward to cause the superbly led Craig Moore defence any real problems.

Except from free-kicks. Shades of the Olyroos.

And Farina left Danny Tiatto out, and Kossie again left Juninho out. Clearly Kossie doesn't feel Juninho can play in the same side as Corica for ninety minutes, or his team are too lightweight with Juninho, Alex Brosque and Corica in the same side.

The Victory hang in there for another week. By virtue of the other results.

And in case Ernie Merrick ever comes here. The Victory's season has been dismal. The football dire, the crowds great. Can Ernie sort it? Will he get it right for Asia?

Adelaide have lost their way. Without Bruce Djite they have lost their mobility and focal point. Forwards who can run towards the goal at pace are worth gold in any league.

Djite, Kruse, Reinaldo and Archie Thompson are perhaps the best and although not always scoring they certainly create havoc.

Adelaide have significant injuries but should still make the four if they can keep srcatching results while they get Nathan Burns and Djite back to their best.


2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Melbourne's had a wish come true with all these draws. Probably the best result we could hope for after we again failed to win a game. 4 red cards in 5 games has to be some kind of record. From where I was sitting in the stands, that red didn't seem fair. What did you think Eamonn?

Eamonn said...

Eric, some of the reds have been very very soft, particularly Vargas, even Panta could have been sorted by quicker action from the REf

As for Saturday with a TV viewing Muscat was gone. He'd been booked and within seconds went in in a manner that asked the Ref to make a decision

It was a stupid challenge given he'd just been booked.

Begs the question of the attitude around the club.

Has Ernie lost it. Players like Keenan Panta and now Muscat all ill-disciplined on top of the Lujbo affair.

Seems like there is a problem in the club, and it's clearly showing through in the players frustration and commitment.

Did Muscat want off?