Football Season Guide

Struggled in the A-League last season, just about limping into sixth place. Only truly started to get things together once they'd exited the Asian Champions League Elite, which took a lot out of them. They should be fresh this season though, as they've no continental football to distract them. Disappointingly, they've kept Vidmar as manager despite him amply proving that his tactics only consistently work in the Asian Champions League Elite. Still, this is a very good squad, and one that will be in the running for silverware, one way or another. They've got to find ways to deal with the players they've lost though. Creator Kuen, experienced CBs Souprayen/Ferreyra, midfield engine Teague, match-winner Younis, and impressive shot-stopper Beach were all big losses pre-season. They're never far away from unleashing some academy talent though, so that's a consideration here - after all, they produced Caputo, who has mostly done a good job of replacing seasoned veteran MacLaren over the past couple of years. Still, they knew that alone was not enough and thus acquired lightning winger Mabil, brilliant playmaker Marcondes, dangerous creator Rossetto, and powerful CB Cascante. They've still got some vulnerabilities though. None of their current GKs look ready to be a first-team regular in the A-League. They're arguably short of proven options at CB too. They should be fine with chance creation, given Rahmani's emergence and Lopane's impending return from injury, and putting the ball in the net is not a concern with Memeti and Caputo there. Keeping teams out is easily their biggest worry. They've got a lot of integrating to do at the back, and a lack of terriers in front of their back four. Given their almost pedestrian-paced football under Vidmar, the more intense teams could do them some damage. They're going to need to score a lot of goals if they're to stay in the hunt for the title.