ALM Tackle: Marco Monteverde and Robbie Slater’s likes and dislikes from this weekend’s action

After both made fast starts, the reality of the task at hand is setting in for both Aurelio Vidmar and Ufuk Talay. Check out the likes and dislikes from this weekend’s A League Men’s action.

Another round of the A-League Men’s season has come to an end, but what were the stories that really stood out?

Socceroos great Robbie Slater and Marco Monteverde names their likes and dislikes from this weekend’s action.

DISLIKES

The honeymoon is over for Melbourne City mentor Aurelio Vidmar and Sydney FC coach Ufuk Talay.

Both started their tenures with wins following the recent sackings of Rado Vidosic (City) and Steve Corica (Sydney).

However, the reality of their tasks has quickly hit home.

Since City’s victory over Sydney in his first game in charge, Vidmar has been without a win in three subsequent games, including a loss in the AFC Champions League.

The 1-0 away loss to Wellington Phoenix on Saturday was not a performance you would expect from a team that has topped the A-League ladder for the past three seasons.

Vidmar has a lot of work ahead because City is still nowhere near where it has been in recent years.

Talay had a dream start to his stint at Sydney FC coach when the side thrashed Adelaide United 5-1 two weeks ago.

However, any momentum the Sky Blues might have gathered from that big win seems to have been snuffed out by the break for the FIFA international window.

Talay’s men failed to fire in Saturday night’s derby and while it was only a narrow loss to the Wanderers, any type loss hurts, but particularly in a derby.

The reality is that the Sky Blues haven’t scored in four of their five A-League matches this season.

That’s a huge concern, as is their over reliance on English winger Joe Lolley.

If you can keep Lolley quiet, the Sydneysiders look anything but threatening in attack.

Vidmar’s side has not won in three games. (Photo by Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images)

Talay’s team went down in the Sydney derby. (Photo by Mike Owen/Getty Images)

What’s currently going through the mind of Melbourne City and Socceroos striker Jamie Maclaren when he steps up to take a penalty?

Having missed a spot earlier in the season, Maclaren declined the chance to take one a couple of weeks ago when City were trailing 3-2 in stoppage-time against Macarthur FC.

Despite having the chance to complete a hat-trick, City captain Maclaren wasn’t keen to take the penalty, instead handing the responsibility over to substitute Terry Antonis, who made no mistake to level scores at 3-3 and secure the Melbourne club a point.

However, on Saturday against the Wellington Phoenix, with his team trailing 1-0, Maclaren stepped up to take a penalty.

But much to his despair, Phoenix goalkeeper Alex Paulsen saved the spot lock, with Wellington holding on for the victory to continue City’s ordinary start to the A-League season.

Maclaren used to score penalties for fun but he’s clearly doubting himself at the moment when he steps up to the spot.

Maclaren has missed the mark from the spot as of late. (Photo by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images)

LIKES

It was really good to see a crowd of more than 28,000 attend Saturday night’s Sydney derby at Allianz Stadium.

As we have said before in this column, that’s the game that should have been given marquee status on the opening weekend of the season.

When Sydney FC meet the Western Sydney Wanderers, it’s clearly the biggest game of the A-League calendar.

The atmosphere was terrific on Saturday night, and let’s hope the A-League can build on this.

We’re sick of seeing abysmal crowds when Macarthur FC and Western United host games.

That’s embarrassing for the A-League.

Sydney football fans came out for the derby. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

The Central Coast Mariners have finally got the ball rolling with their A-League title defence.

Having started their domestic campaign with four successive losses, the Mariners were down and almost out.

The knives were also out for Central Coast’s new coach Mark Jackson, particularly after Sydney FC and Melbourne City had been so quick to pull the trigger on Steve Corica and Rado Vidosic respectively.

And while one win doesn’t make a season, the Mariners will get a lot out of beating arch rivals Newcastle in an F3 derby.

The jury is still out on Jackson, but for now the Mariners have bought their coach some time as he tackles the tough task of following in the footsteps of championship-winning mentor Nick Montgomery.

LIKE/DISLIKE

Speaking of coaches, the Aloisi brothers are currently experiencing contrasting fortunes.

Ross is continuing his excellent start to life as Brisbane Roar coach, with the Queenslanders winning again on Sunday at Suncorp Stadium.

Under Ross, the Roar have only lost one of their five home A-League matches this season and also reached the Australia Cup final.

It’s a remarkable achievement considering the budgetary restraints at the Roar.

Brisbane’s players love working under Aloisi and it’s showing in the football they are playing.

It’s only early in the season, but a finals berth seems well and truly within the Roar’s reach.

In contrast, John’s Western United side is currently experiencing a horror run.

There’s been contrasting fortunes for the Aloisi brothers. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)

Sunday’s 3-1 loss to Adelaide was United’s fourth successive defeat and left them at the bottom of the ladder.

It was less than two years ago that John led the expansion club to the A-League title.

However, since then things have gone pear-shaped, with the Victorian outfit having failed to reach last season’s finals series and now struggling.

Having to play yet another match in Ballarat won’t help United when they host the unbeaten Wellington Phoenix on Friday night.

A fifth successive loss could spell disaster for both United and their coach.

PLAYER OF THE ROUND: ALEX PAULSEN (WELLINGTON PHOENIX)

Originally published as ALM Tackle: Marco Monteverde and Robbie Slater’s likes and dislikes from this weekend’s action