A-League Season Preview

Version 5 of the A League is only a week away today so it's time to make some assessments and predictions on the coming season.
ADELAIDE UNITED
The Reds will be looking for a new identity in many ways this year. They have lost names like Agostino, Beltrame, Costanzo, Salley, Spagnuolo and Valkanis. Names that had all become synonymous with United. But perhaps that was the problem. Last season was the first time in the history of the A League that they had won a finals series match, but they were still the bridesmaids yet again. It's a tag that nobody wants and maybe these changes are just the start of a new look Adelaide
Strengths - After a phenomenal performance in the Asian Champions League last season, the players that are left have gained some invaluable experience that will hold them in good stead for the new lengthened season. Lloyd Owusu also looks to be a good signing for them considering they still have space to add a marquee player to the roster. Provided he can stay injury free he provides them with an experienced proven goalscorer, which they need.
Weaknesses - As always new players need time to meld, and Adelaide's inconsistent pre season form is proof that they haven't quite gotten there yet. They have had some big wins over some state league opposition but have also drawn with one and had a couple of losses to Melbourne Victory and more worryingly newcomers North Queensland Fury. They've also conceded 7 goals in 7 games and not many teams go too far conceding a goal a game.
Best they can do - 4th
Worst they can do - 6th
BRISBANE ROAR
A new name, but the same old faces are in Brisbane for the Roar's attempt to continue moving up the ladder season after season. Frank Farina will be looking to continue with his attacking and speedy play on the shoulders of his young attackers who have the freedom to go forward with the strong and experienced defenders at the back
Strengths - This squad is almost the same as last year where they fell only one game short of the Grand Final. Also Farina's style suits the players that he has which is when Frank is at his best.
Weaknesses - They came out of the blocks firing this pre-season and were 11-0 up after 3 games, however they have gone stale since losing 4 of the next 6 matches. If it is because they have gone stale, I don't know how they will fix it. If it is because young players are inconsistent I don't know how they will fix it either. Whatever the reason, the top teams seem to have bolstered their hopes significantly in some way and I don't think that the Roar have
Best they can do - 4th
Worst they can do - 6th
CENTRAL COAST MARINERS
The always underrated Mariners come into this season rated even lower than normal. The disasterous Asian Champions League campaign has rocked their confidence and shown that they are struggling to match the standard of top teams. But at the same time I've heard (and said) similar things about the Mariners in seasons gone by and they consistently work hard for each other to get results
Strengths - They are going to improve. They had a late start to the pre season due to the ACL matches in the off season so they are bound to start the season a little slower than other teams, but they WILL get better. Any Lawrie McKinna coached side will guarantee you one thing. They will fight for each other and for the team. That is a quality every supporter wants.
Weaknesses - Their pre season has been dull and uninspired. They've played 7 matches and while they haven't lost a single match they only won 3. The 3 wins came against 2 local teams and the struggling Fury. Really missing Jedinak and don't have the quality to replace him.
Best they can do - 6th
Worst they can so - 8th
GOLD COAST UNITED
Aptly named because they have united a WHOLE BUNCH of talent with a huge ambition - to win the league undefeated in their first year. With the facilities at Robina regarded as possibly the best in the country the trip to Surfers Paradise could quickly become the toughest away trip in the league if the fans get behind their side.
Strengths - A playing squad that seems to defy the salary cap seems to have established themselves already, starting their winning streak before Jason Culina even arrived for training. On Jason Culina, is anyone going to be anywhere near as dominant as he will be this season? I really don't think so.
Weaknesses - The weight of expectation may get the better of them. If they lose a game will the wheels start to fall off? Miron Blieberg can be a great coach, but hes so tempremental that he can also be a liability. If nothing else he will be interesting
Best they can do - 1st
Worst they can so - 3rd
MELBOURNE VICTORY
The reigning premiers have had few major changes to their squad so they will have to be a threat again but they have a challenge on their hands, because nobody has yet successfully defended a title in this competition.
Strengths - As mentioned there have been few changes to the team that won the title which has to be a good thing for them. They do still have the most potent attack in the history of the league combined with the evergreen and ever niggling Kevin Muscat meaning that they have the foundations for a solid season.
Weaknesses - What can only be described as a disappointing pre-season (5 wins, 2 draws, 4 losses) can't be easily explained. Perhaps there are deeper problems than are at the surface. Or perhaps they will continue the pattern that they have had so far (which the media seems to forget when it is convenient for them) because in the off years where they haven't won the league, they have failed to make the finals. They have had trouble stringing togehter 2 decent seasons so don't be surprised if they don't live up to expectations.
Best they can do - 2nd
Worst they can do - 3rd
NEWCASTLE JETS
What can I say about the Jets that hasn't already been said. Con just keeps finding ways to let the wheels fall off his club and the club keeps finding ways to keep fighting.
Strengths - Not too many to be honest. If Branko can get the best out of his key players he may be able to get a few results through and give them a chance to get some confidence and go on a streak. The signing of Fabio Vignaroli could be the key to their whole season. If he can be the glue for this team they may get somewhere.
Weaknesses - Where do I start? The club is in trouble off the field, the owner is acting like a petulant brat and the coach walked out. Then on the field they have struggled through a shortened pre-season and haven't had much of a chance to learn Branko's style yet and by the time they do the season will likely be gone.
Best they can do - 7th
Worst they can do - 9th
NORTH QUEENSLAND FURY
They seem unable to get much support from the bookies and the newest boys on the block will be looking to prove people wrong and have a strong season behind one of the biggest names in the history of the A-League, Robbie Fowler
Strenghts - They have signed "God" and are looking to partner him up with David Williams which has the potential to net them a fair few goals
Weaknesses - Everywhere else. Recruiting players that are unwanted by a struggling Sydney FC team is not a great strategy. They have lost about 5 players before the season has even started, not a great vote of confidence. They lost 7 of their 9 pre-season matches. I just can't see how they are going to win games
Best they can do - 8th
Worst they can do - 10th
PERTH GLORY
The Glory are finally trying to return the Glory days of the NSL and have actually spent some money to have a crack at the title this year. For their sake I hope it can bring back the old fans and return Perth to the popular team they used to be.
Strengths - Have to be the big name signings. The squad they have put together should certainly be able to entertain their fans and in turn win some spectacular games. Mile Sterjovski has the potential to be a dynamic match winner and will be a class above alot of players in this league
Weaknesses - They are Perth Glory. They are old soccer in new football and year after year find new and interesting ways to screw everything up. If David Mitchell can't get this squad firing by the half way point it could spell the end of his tenure. He will have run out of excuses.
Best they can do - 4th
Worst they can do - 7th
SYDNEY FC
This is going to be a do or die year for the Sky Blues. There has been so much turmoil at the club and all the talk is that EVERYTHING has been fixed and it is now the chance for the club to get back to their top club status. But if they can't do it, the whole thing could fall on its face.
Strengths - A professional, hi-tech, experienced and world class coach could prove to be the difference in what's going to be a tight race at the top of the league this year. He has the team playing an attractive and successful style of football which has shown in the 14 match unbeaten pre season which included conceding only 2 goals. Also the recent addition of an experienced centre back in Keller looks to have rounded out the squad almost to perfection.
Weaknesses - Very few, but the pressure of being Sydney FC has seen the club succumb to so many losses in the past that it has become a curse, but outside of that I can't really see too many matches being dropped by this well rounded squad.
Best they can do - 1st
Worst they can do - 2nd
WELLINGTON PHEONIX
Another team that can't get any support from the bookies and really look to be up against it to repeat their best season from last year
Strengths - I honestly think Ricki Herbet is a good coach and if he can get the best out of his squad they are capable of causing some real upsets.
Weaknesses - They rode their entire last season on the back of 2 players, Moss and Smeltz, and they have both left the club leaving a massive hole in their ability to win! The Pheonix also have next to no depth in their squad and a bad run of injuries could see them putting up some disgraceful sides.
Best they can do - 9th
Worst they can do - 10th

One week to go.
Bring on the new season!