Slater: Why Lolley is crucial to Sydney FC’s A-Leagues title hopes

Socceroos great ROBBIE SLATER and MARCO MONTEVERDE discuss a Sydney FC star’s purple patch of form, the Socceroos on clubs’ radars, and why the Roar must make a key change now.

Socceroos great ROBBIE SLATER and MARCO MONTEVERDE discuss a Sydney FC star’s spurt of quality form, the Socceroos on A-Leagues clubs’ radars, and why the Roar must make a key change now.

SWEET LOLLEY

Fears that Sydney FC’s A-League campaign was in danger of collapsing due to the long-term injury suffered by marquee man Douglas Costa have been eased by the superb form of Joe Lolley.

Brazilian star Costa is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury he suffered a couple of weeks ago.

The former Juventus and Bayern Munich winger won’t return to the field until sometime next month.

Joe Lolley has six goals in his past three games. Picture: Getty Images

Despite Sydney’s depth, Costa’s absence seemed likely to hurt the Sky Blues, whose form hasn’t lived up to expectations this season.

However, the already immense Lolley has taken his game to another level in the past couple of weeks to leave no-one doubting anymore that Sydney can deliver without Costa.

Englishman Lolley has netted six goals in Sydney’s past three matches, including a hat-trick in the Sky Blues’ 3-0 win over Perth Glory at Allianz Stadium on Wednesday night.

“It’s my first hat-trick in a very long time and they’re always welcomed,” Lolley said.

“I guess when you score a couple of goals and the confidence starts to come up, and everything falls for you.

“I feel good, I feel confident on the pitch, I feel good in my body and hopefully it just keeps continuing.”

The Sky Blues need Lolley’s form to continue as they seek to make up for their inconsistent start to the season.

The Sydneysiders are unbeaten in their past four matches but remain outside the top six.

However, that could change on Saturday night with a home win over the Central Coast Mariners.

Sydney FC is currently outside the top six, but that could change with a win against the Mariners. Picture: Getty Images

Regardless of their form surge, the Sky Blues still need to sign at least one centre-back in the upcoming transfer window to stiffen up a defence that still looks vulnerable.

Socceroo Milos Degenek, who is a free agent after the expiry of his contract at Red Star Belgrade, could be an option.

However, 30-year-old Degenek has also been linked with a move to Western Sydney Wanderers.

AWER MIGHT BE THE ANSWER

Another Socceroo who’s a free agent and should be of interest to A-League clubs is Awer Mabil

The 29-year-old former Adelaide United winger has been released by Swiss Super League outfit Grasshoppers just days after the announcement that teenage sensation Nestory Irankunda had joined the club on loan from German giants Bayern Munich.

Socceroo Awer Mabil is on the radar of several A-League clubs. Picture: Getty Images

Mabil – who also had spells with clubs in Denmark, Portugal, Turkey, Spain and the Czech Republic – may believe he has some unfinished business to take care of in Europe, but perhaps a return to the A-League is just what he needs to revitalise his career.

He has previously stated his intention to eventually return to Adelaide, but Mabil’s availability has already been noted by some other A-League clubs, including cellar dwellers Brisbane Roar, who are in desperate need of some new blood when the transfer window opens next Thursday.

COACHING CHANGE A MUST

There are many who believe that regardless of who Brisbane signs during the window, nothing will change if coach Ruben Zadkovich is still in charge.

And with good reason. Under Zadkovich, the Roar are yet to win this season and have won just three times in 24 matches in all competitions since he took charge in February last year.

Some cut Zadkovich a bit of slack earlier this season when Brisbane had a tough schedule.

Brisbane Roar must move on from coach Ruben Zadkovich. Picture: Getty Images

However, the Roar’s past five results in matches against Western Sydney Wanderers, Perth Glory, Western United, Central Coast Mariners and Newcastle Jets have been inexcusable.

During that period, the Roar picked up just one point from a possible 15, and lost home games to the Glory, the Mariners and the Jets, who have all struggled this season.

Surely the Roar’s chief executive officer Kaz Patafta and football boss Zac Anderson, as well as the club’s owners, the Bakrie Group, realise this.

While Patafta recently publicly backed Zadkovich, the current situation cannot continue.

If Zadkovich survives until the end of the season, it will only be because of Brisbane’s financial problems. However, a lack of money can no longer be used as an excuse to keep Zadkovich, so don’t be surprised if the club finally bites the bullet and makes a coaching change sooner rather than later.

Originally published as Slater: Why Lolley is crucial to Sydney FC’s A-Leagues title hopes