Football Season Guide

Preston Lions FC

In


Ryan Scott (gk), transfer from Newcastle Jets. James Rallis (def), transfer from Bentleigh. Scott Galloway (def), free transfer.

Out


Achraf Lazaar (mid), transfer to SUR Football. Adrian Valenti (def), transfer to Knights.

Finished the season in outrageously good form but it only paved over the cracks of what was essentially an underwhelming campaign. They finished fifth in the end, overcoming Oakleigh in the play-offs before losing against Heidelberg United in the semi-finals. It was no more than they deserved for their overall campaign. They've recruited quite well ahead of this competition, somehow convincing two players with a good level of A-League experience - goalkeeper Ryan Scott and defender Scott Galloway - to join them. Both are good, experienced professionals with a lot to offer, assuming they can be kept fit. Their defence should improve for both being there. Goal-scoring is a big worry for them. Their two main goal-getters this season, Romero and Brooks respectively, both failed to hit double figures. Despite this, the club have not made any attempts to bolster their firepower, which makes it their biggest vulnerability ahead of the Australian Championship. The group isn't as tough as it could have been. They've got a Melbourne derby against Avondale but other than that, it's an NWS Spirit that has been hit hard by recent changes, and a capable Canberra Croatia that they're up against. Qualifying from the group is a realistic target for a decent team - it's just debateable whether Preston Lions qualify as a decent team whilst their attack is as weak as it is.

Target


To qualify from the group.