Adelaide United star Ben Halloran says there’s ‘room for more depth’ in Reds’ squad
Ben Halloran says there is room for more depth at Adelaide United, as time ticks down on the January transfer window. And the Reds winger is hopeful of extending his contract at the club beyond this season.
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Three players out and none in with one week to go.
Adelaide United’s January transfer window has so far delivered one way traffic at a club hit hard by injuries and international call-ups this season.
Norwegian striker Kristian Opseth was the latest name on the Reds’ casualty list, having been ruled out of Sunday’s trip to face Western United after reaggravating an adductor problem.
It followed the exit of veteran midfielder Vince Lia, who was released due to a lack of game time and joined Perth Glory this week.
Olyroos goalkeeper Daniel Margush took the same path west on Wednesday, while promising playmaker Carlo Armiento is yet to find a club after leaving his hometown team last month.
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Reds director of football Bruce Djite this week said he hoped to add at least one new signing in the final week of the window to bolster a squad reduced to the league minimum 20 players.
It was a view endorsed by United winger Ben Halloran, who scored Adelaide’s winner against Melbourne Victory last Friday to snap the club’s four-game losing streak.
“There’s definitely room in the squad for one or two new players,” Halloran, 27, said.
“If we can have more depth, then it’s great for the team.
“It’s sad to see them (departed trio) go.
“They were all massive personalities in the team.
“It was a shock to see Vinnie go, but obviously his career is the most important thing and if he sees that he’s not getting an opportunity here then it makes sense that he left.
“I guess it does leave a hole.
“Someone like Vinnie is an experienced player and he’s not easily replaceable.”
United will also be without forward Al Hassan Toure for its maiden meeting with the A-League’s newest franchise, as the teenager remains on national under-23 duty in Thailand.
The Reds were expected to usher back midfielder James Troisi (hamstring), while German import Mirko Boland (knee) got through his first league action of the campaign unscathed.
Djite said he had been contacted by the agents of several former United players expressing an interest in returning to the club.
Ex-Reds struggling for minutes such as Western Sydney duo Tarek Elrich and Bruce Kamau, as well as Western United striker Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, may be among the candidates.
Halloran stopped short of identifying an area his team required strengthening, despite Adelaide scoring just 20 times in 13 games, the equal-lowest of any top-six side.
“As long as the player coming in has got a bit of quality, then I think we can shore up any position on the pitch,” the six-cap Socceroo said.
“But at the end of the day, it’s not really in the players’ hands.
“We still have enough depth and enough young players coming up.”
Halloran praised his teammates’ “grit and desperation” against Victory, as they ended a run of outs that had equalled the club’s worst in history.
The Queenslander, who was out of contract at season’s end, remained hopeful of extending his two-year United stay.
“I’ve had a few chats with Bruce, but we’re not rushing anything at the moment,” said Halloran, who has notched three goals this campaign.
“We’re going to see how it plays out in the next month or two.
“But I’m really happy here and I’d like to extend.
“I’ve enjoyed it here from day one. It’s a great bunch of boys and a great city.”