ALM Tackle: Another ‘embarrassing’ Glory loss only means trouble for Stajcic
How the Reds could spoil the Mariners’ party, where to next for Glory and more is on the agenda as ROBBIE SLATER And MARCO MONTEVERDE discuss a big weekend of A-League football.
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Robbie Slater and Marco Monteverde go through their likes and dislikes from another massive weekend of A-League football.
LIKES
Battle to remember
It’s fitting that the intriguing battle for the A-League premiership won’t be decided until the final night of the regular season.
It has been a superb tussle between Wellington Phoenix and Central Coast Mariners for the Premier’s Plate.
You only have to look at the ladder to realise how much better they have been than everyone else in the competition.
Again, both the Phoenix and the Mariners held up their ends of the bargain by winning on Saturday night.
The Mariners only need a draw to secure top spot and the premiership, and you would fancy them to get the job such has been the magnificent season they had – barring the first four games, which they lost.
After the horror start, many were doubting whether they could secure back-to-back titles.
And with good reason considering they lost the likes of Sam Silvera, Jason Cummings, Nectarios Triantis, Beni Nkololo and James McGarry in the off-season, as well as championship-winning coach Nick Montgomery.
Mark Jackson’s shaky start to life as Montgomery’s replacement had many wondering whether he was the right man for the job.
However, he just needed time. Once Jackson got his methods across, there was no looking back for the Mariners.
And that’s not only in the A-League but also in continental competition, with the Mariners having reached the final of the AFC Cup.
It’s therefore shaping as a huge week for Jackson’s men. They cannot only win the premiership on Wednesday night but can also secure the AFC Cup by beating Lebanese club Al-Ahed in the decider next Monday morning (AEST) in Oman.
Let’s not forget the Phoenix, who many predicted would struggle this season following the departure of coach Ufuk Talay.
However, full credit must go to the man that replaced Talay in the Wellington hot seat Giancarlo Italiano, who has taken the Phoenix to new heights.
Adding further credit to Wellington’s marvellous season has been that they have achieved so much without the services of one of the competition’s best strikers, Oskar Zawada, who missed a large chunk of the Phoenix’s campaign through injury.
However, with the finals series starting this weekend, Zawada has made a timely comeback from injury and returned to goal-scoring ways in Wellington’s 3-0 weekend win over Macarthur FC.
His goals are certain to be important in what will hopefully be an exciting finals series.
Reds can spoil party
Adelaide United have the attacking players to spoil the Mariners’ party some on Wednesday night, with the Mariners needing to keep an eye on Nestory Irankunda and Hiroshi Ibusuki.
While the Reds have nothing to play for as they can’t make the finals and have avoided a bottom-four finish which would have condemned them to having to play-off for an Australia Cup spot, Bayern Munich-bound Irankunda will want to farewell the A-League in style.
Japanese striker Ibusuki, who has already scored 15 goals this season, will want to give Reds coach Carl Veart further reason to offer him a new contract.
One thing’s for sure – if Veart is no longer interested in Ibusuki’s services, at least three other A-League clubs, including Brisbane Roar, are.
DISLIKES
Struggle for Staj
The whispers that Alen Stajcic is set to be sacked as Perth Glory coach will only grow louder after yet another embarrassing loss.
Having already been condemned to the wooden spoon, the Glory only had pride to play for on Sunday afternoon against Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium.
But that pride was sadly lacking as they capitulated to lose 7-1 to the Sydneysiders.
As hard as it has been for Stajcic this season with everything that has gone on off the field in Perth, the fact the Glory now has a new owner in Ross Pelligra could mean there is a complete cleanout at the club.
That spells bad news for Stajcic, but perhaps a fresh start is what’s needed.
However, one player that the Glory will definitely want to keep is their striker and captain Adam Taggart, who will be crowned this season’s Golden Boot with a fantastic haul of 20 goals.
It shows that the Glory haven’t lacked in attack, with the club’s 46 goals better than the collective hauls of seven other teams.
Where Perth has struggled has been in defence, having conceded 69 goals in 27 matches.
That’s extremely poor and totally unacceptable, and could spell the end for Stajcic and a host of his players.
While Sunday’s result was disastrous for the Glory, it was perfect for a Sydney side that was chasing momentum going into the finals series.
The Sky Blues have the ability to go on a great finals run with a team that contains the likes of Joe Lolley, Robert Mark, Anthony Caceres and Luke Brattan.
Regretful Wanderers
Western Sydney Wanderers will look back on their season with a host of regrets after failing to reach the top six.
While they were impressive in beating Melbourne Victory 4-3 on Saturday night, when you need to rely on other results to qualify for the finals series, it suggests that you probably don’t warrant a spot in the playoffs.
Losing more games than you win is also another indicator that you don’t deserve to be playing finals football.
However, what Western Sydney’s win on Saturday night does show is that trusting in youth is probably the way the Wanderers need to go next season rather than signing over-paid foreigners who aren’t up to it.
Team of the round:
(4-2-1-3) Jamie Young (Melbourne City); Tim Payne (Wellington Phoenix), Nuno Reis (Melbourne City), Scott Wooton (Wellington Phoenix), Jordan Courtney-Perkins (Sydney FC); Oscar Priestman (Western Sydney Wanderers), Josh Nisbet (Central Coast Mariners); Daniel Arzani (Melbourne Victory); Joe Lolley (Sydney FC), Hiroshi Ibusuki (Adelaide United), Robert Mak (Sydney FC). Coach: Ufuk Talay (Sydney FC)
Player of the round: Hiroshi Ibusuki (Adelaide United)
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