Football Season Guide

As usual, it's been a quiet transfer window for Adelaide United. Dogged by a dicey financial situation, they tend to leave buying their bigger players to the last second, if indeed they bother at all. They do have arguably the best academy in Australia though, and they rely upon it considerably. Therefore, most departees will be replaced by academy graduates, and few are better placed than current boss Carl Veart to help them succeed, given that he used to oversee the academy before becoming manager of the first-team. Although they've sold more than they've bought, only one player will be missed - Yengi. Having someone with his physique, capacity to play with back to goal or on the shoulder, to run with the ball, to be composed in front of goal - they've not had someone like that in many years, and won't again for a long time. Dukuly and Toure - especially the latter - were good impact subs but that's it. Tratt and Timotheou were phased out in the latter stages of last season. Warland arriving and Ansell getting fit again should give them good options at CB, although chances are good the starting duo of the season will still be Barr and Popovic. Delianov should be back too, and if he can keep fit, will be the no. 1 GK. Big season ahead for likely wonderkid Bernardo; needs to improve stamina though. Re-signing Ben Halloran after his failed South Korean adventure is a big boost; he knows the players and club inside out, and is a proven match-winner. Van der Saag is an odd signing. A liability at RB but a good ball-carrier in midfield. Likely used as an understudy for ageing Javi Lopez. Should start the season well because it's a settled group and a familiar style of play. It's unlikely that any of their newbies will start games, at least in the beginning. As ever, the big question mark with them this season is how often they'll put the ball in the net because losing Yengi is not a problem they can easily overcome. Ibusuki will help to an extent but chance conversion is their bugbear. Likely key players for the season ahead - Goodwin, Halloran, Ibusuki, Javi Lopez.