Costa, Mata: The standout stars, and those who need to step up, in the run to the A-League finals
With the A-League finals series fast approaching, Socceroos great Robbie Slater and Marco Monteverde nominate their standout players from each club, and who needs to do more in the run to the post-season.
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With the A-League finals series fast approaching, On The Attack names the player from each club that has been a standout, as well as those who need to do more if their team is to finish the season with a bang.
1. Auckland FC
Main man - Guillermo May: The Uruguayan ace is one of the best and most clever strikers in the A-League.
He has shown he can score goals from anywhere on the park, and also creates a lot for his teammates with clever runs and positioning.
Must lift - Louis Verstraete: The Belgian midfielder started the season very well but seems to have dropped off in a stop-start few weeks.
If the Black Knights are to win the title, they need him back to his best.
2. Western United
Main man - Noah Botic: With eight goals in his past nine matches, Botic is in rare form as part of Western United squad that’s firing on almost all cylinders.
Should have been picked for the latest Socceroos squad.
Must lift - Tate Russell: The former Wanderers right-back has been solid enough in his first season at United but needs to step up a level if he’s to regain his starting spot.
3. Western Sydney Wanderers
Main man - Nicolas Milanovic: Has scored nine goals this season, with his mix of pace, power and grace often proving too much for A-League defenders.
Must lift - Juan Mata: His pedigree can’t be questioned, but often through no fault of his own, A-League fans haven’t seen enough of the best of the former Chelsea and Manchester United star.
4. Melbourne City
Main man - Marco Tilio: Having overcome his injury problems, Tilio has found form at the right time leading to an improved City, as well his recall to the Socceroos squad.
Must lift - Nathaniel Atkinson: Has been handy for City in a couple of different positions, but hasn’t been dominant enough since returning to the A-League from Scottish club Hearts.
5. Melbourne Victory
Main man - Jordi Valadon: An unsung hero of the Victory’s midfield, Valadon’s calmness and poise in his side’s engine room is going to be crucial if the Melbourne club is to challenge for the championship.
Must lift - Daniel Arzani: The talent the former A-League prodigy possesses can never be questioned, but he’s still not showing enough on a weekly basis despite being recalled to the Socceroos squad.
6. Adelaide United
Main man - Stefan Mauk: The Reds midfielder often plays on the edge, but it’s that combativeness, drive and hunger that makes him an essential part of Adelaide’s starting team.
Must lift - Bart Vriends: The experienced Dutch centre-back was brought to Adelaide to help fix the Reds’ defensive woes, but the amount of goals the Reds are conceding shows he’s not doing enough.
7. Sydney FC
Main man - Douglas Costa: The Brazilian excitement machine is in a class of his own in the A-League, and is the main reason why the Sky Blues have reached the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League Two competition.
Must lift - Anas Ouahim: The former Morocco under-23 international started well enough in his debut A-League season but now cannot command a place in Sydney’s starting team.
8. Macarthur FC
Main man - Luke Brattan: The experience and class of midfield general Brattan is showing in a Bulls side desperately trying to overcome the loss of some key players in the January-February transfer window.
Must lift - Chris Ikonomidis: The former Socceroo must rediscover his form that made him one of Australian football’s finest young talents if the Bulls are to recover from the loss of star French striker Valere Germain.
9. Newcastle Jets
Main man - Lachlan Rose: The ex-Macarthur FC forward has been an inspiration in attack for the Jets, with his will to score goals, win games and not accept mediocrity evident in a Newcastle side that until last weekend’s 6-2 loss to Western United had been in top form.
Must lift - Mark Natta: The 22-year-old central defender is yet to live up to the potential that led to him making his A-League debut as a teenager for Western Sydney Wanderers.
10. Central Coast Mariners
Main man - Mikael Doka: The versatile Brazilian, who took the A-League by storm last season, has done everything possible to try to inspire the Mariners in the club’s largely disappointing bid for a third successive title.
Must lift - Trent Sainsbury: The former Socceroos defender’s cause wasn’t helped by a pre-season injury that delayed his return to the A-League, but his leadership and nous is desperately needed in a Mariners side that has struggled this season.
11. Wellington Phoenix
Main man - Kosta Barbarouses: The veteran Kiwi forward hasn’t had the same service in what has been a forgettable season for the Phoenix, but he still leads Wellington’s attack with gusto and determination.
Must lift - Marco Rojas: Much more was expected this season of the attacking weapon once dubbed the “Kiwi Messi”.
12. Brisbane Roar
Main man - Henry Hore: Since Hore’s return in January from a loan spell in South Korea, the Roar have been livelier in attack.
Must lift - Keegan Jelacic: A lot has been said about the potential of Jelacic, but he doesn’t do nearly enough with it.
13. Perth Glory
Main man - Luke Amos: The Englishman has added some much-needed class to the Glory’s midfield since his arrival last month
Must lift - Lachie Wales: More was expected of the talented Wales after his return to the A-League in January following a stint in South Korea.
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