Football Season Guide

Agonisingly finished just outside the play-offs last season, finishing 7th in the end. Keeping teams out was their biggest bugbear in a campaign where they impressed in spells. It didn't look like they needed to reinvent the wheel to fix things, in other words. However, following their premature exit from the Australian Cup in August, they opted to sack Mile Sterjovski, although it was officially announced as mutual termination. Harsh, as most clubs lose against NPL teams nowadays. Sasa Ognenovski is his replacement. Despite their rumoured financial problems, they've had a remarkably good transfer window. It could be argued that they needed to, having lost figureheads like Brattan, da Silva, Caceres, Uskok, and Duke pre-season, although the latter was expected - he was only on loan. Their acquisitions were very strong though. They've opted for proven and consistent A-League players, bringing in Aspropotamitis for da Silva, Paull for Uskok, Grozos for Brattan, and Stamatelopoulos for Duke. They've not signed an outright playmaker replacement for Caceres but the early signs point to deploying more of a wide game this season. That's why they've brought in Pain and Fraser, two very capable wingers at this level. With Paull arriving as backup at CB, and Gibson/Toure doing the same in attack, there really isn't any sign whatsoever of this club having financial problems - they've plugged almost all of their gaps really, really well. They've even brought in Dylan Rose to play alongside his brother, Liam Rose. It's undeniable that an integration period will be required. A new manager, a new style of play, and lots of new faces. New leaders need to arise from this squad too. Therefore, a struggle at the start of their campaign looks rather likely at this point. However, in the long run, this is potentially a very capable squad. There aren't any obvious weaknesses. Assuming the players adjust to the playing style of their new manager, I think the sky is the limit for them. Experience, youth, quality, structure - they've got the lot, really. They should, in theory, be pushing for the title.