Football Season Guide

A late flurry saw them make the play-offs last season in the end but they only ended up being crushed by Melbourne City in the play-offs. Corica remains in charge at Sydney FC, although quite how that’s the case is anyone’s guess as his team’s football is poor and ineffectual. They never look like they’re going to win, even when they do. Have barely revamped their disappointing squad from last season despite losing their star centre-back Wilkinson and star striker Le Fondre. Courtney Perkins and Lacerda are expected to slug it out as Wilkinson’s replacement to partner Rodwell, although the Englishman is frequently injured so they may both play. Neither are as good as Wilkinson. Le Fondre’s age was showing last season; Gomes was signed to be his replacement, and should be a marked improvement. Losing LB Caballo isn’t an issue as King’s loan was made permanent, and he’s the better player anyway. Losing Retre was a big blow though. He could play at RB if needed (which now means there’s no real understudy for Grant), and he was their only ball-winning midfielder so his departure is going to hit them hard, particularly as they don’t control games well. Have lost numerous squad players like Parsons and Segecic, which makes no sense, and leaves them short of options yet again. Still massively dependent on Lolley and Mak to make things happen for them, although Burgess had a very good campaign last time around. Lacking in legs in midfield, and is by far their biggest vulnerability, which naturally exposes their somewhat slow centre-backs. Goalkeeper Redmayne is still a safe pair of gloves for the most part, although oddly he’s beginning to get worse at handling crosses as he ages. Expected to rely on youngsters more than ever as they don’t seem to want to spend money anymore. They don’t have the right manager nor a good enough approach to make that work. Will always expect to compete for the title but it’s simply not realistic with this squad. A top six finish would be far more realistic, and they should get it, largely because a lot of A-League teams don’t seem capable of fighting them for it this season. This is generally quite a lazy, casual team; not impressive.