What Brisbane Roar must do to arrest A-league form slump
AFTER two heavy losses in a row, John Aloisi is facing his first real test as Brisbane coach. Here’s what we’ve taken from the Roar’s last two games.
AFTER two heavy losses in a row, John Aloisi is facing his first real test as Brisbane coach. Here’s what we’ve taken from the Roar’s last two games.
1. WITHOUT MACLAREN AND BORRELLO, THE ROAR HAVE LITTLE UP FRONT.
Brisbane’s lack of potency without Brandon Borrello and particularly Jamie Maclaren is alarming. The Roar offered virtually nothing in attack during the pair’s Olyroos-enforced absence. Henrique is not a starter, while Jean Carlos Solorzano continues to struggle with injuries. Centre-forward is a position where Brisbane must improve their depth next season.
2. IT’S TIME FOR JAMES DONACHIE TO START
The Roar’s previously sound defence has been found wanting in the past two weeks. While they haven’t been helped by a lack of cover in front of them, the form of central-defensive pairing of Daniel Bowles and Jade North has slipped.
Olyroos centre-back James Donachie needs to start this week against Sydney FC, while Luke DeVere is also looming large in the battle for the two spots.
3. JAVIER HERVAS SHOULD NOT BE STARTING
Having been given another chance after a forgettable display against Melbourne Victory, Javier Hervas again failed to fire against Adelaide United. Playing on the right side of midfield rather than his preferred left hasn’t helped him, but the Roar’s midfield balance hasn’t been right for the past two weeks. The unlucky Steve Lustica must be close to earning a recall to the starting side at Hervas’ expense. If not Lustica, then Dimitri Petratos needs to revert to a midfield role.
4. THE RETURN OF MICHAEL THEO DIDN’T IMPROVE BRISBANE
The decision to recall decorated goalkeeper Michael Theo and drop Jamie Young didn’t help Brisbane on Friday night. Theo was supposed to add stability and bring a calming influence, but the Roar’s defence was anything but stable against Adelaide. Young, who has starred for the Roar on more than one occasion this season, was extremely unlucky to be dropped after being left totally exposed against the Victory.
5. THE HONEYMOON PERIOD IS OVER FOR JOHN ALOISI
Coach John Aloisi has already earned enough credit points on the back of the Roar’s better-than-expected first half of the season, and there’s little doubt Brisbane will play finals football this season. That’s an achievement they would have gladly taken at the start of the campaign such was the upheaval in the off-season.
However, two heavy losses in a row represent Aloisi’s first major on-field hurdle since joining the club, with his team selection certain to now come under closer scrutiny.
Originally published as What Brisbane Roar must do to arrest A-league form slump
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