Football Season Guide

Embarrassed themselves again last season, offering nowhere near enough in attack, and thus failed to make the play-offs. It ultimately cost boss Warren Moon his job. Roar have done what they can pre-season but still struggle massively when it comes to competing with other A-League clubs because they have no money. On one hand, losing the likes of Knowles, Kruse, Canadi, Brindell-South, Scepovic are not big losses. However, they’ve not set the world alight with arrivals either; it’s more a case of like-for-like. One excellent bit of business they did was to acquire Berenger-Bohrer from Melbourne City; he’s a real class act, and will help them be that bit tidier in the final third, which they’ve lacked for a while now (and that’s why Kruse was signed last season before his injury). Re-signing Parsons was a good move; he’s a danger in the final third, which again helps because it’s by far Roars weakest area. Acton joining to replace Holmes is a no-brainer too; straight swap. The only real problem they’ve got for the upcoming season is at left-back as Courtney-Perkins has moved on. There’s now no natural choice there, whether deploying a flat back four or a back three with wing-backs unless they intend on pursuing the avenue of last season, which was to drop winger Armiento further back. It’s a weak spot either way. They’ve got a new manager for this season - Ross Aloisi, brother of fellow manager John Aloisi. Ross has not been a manager at this level before; only an assistant manager. His bullish approach may be what Roar need but it’s still a gamble to appoint him, and again, one borne out of a lack of funding. Another noteworthy point for the season ahead is the return of defender Corey Brown, who was banished from the squad last season for disciplinary reasons. However, he appealed, and it was revealed that Roar behaved unfairly so he’s now been reinstated in the squad with the club making a public apology; unclear what kind of impact that will have. Will play defensively because their centre-backs are slow but good in the air. Expect them to continue to play for set pieces and on the break. Will consider it a very good season if they can make the top six but are likely to fail. Will find it incredibly tough to score goals if Berenguer-Bohrer and O’Shea are out, and to keep clean sheets if Aldred/Neville are out.