Seven Talking Points In the Build Up To Round Four

After three rounds of actions, some truly fabulous goals and a fair smattering of dross as the sun came out , I’m raising a few questions below, and answering them, that have come to me over the last couple of weeks, including one very sick weekend, lying on the couch watching every televised football match going!

Are Gold Coast United Really That Good?

Three rounds, three wins, full points, scored 10, conceded just 1, it’s been a perfect start for Gold Coast all the more remarkable given that this time last year they weren’t even in the competition. The question remains whether they can go the distance, or what their depth is like, but last years’ top scorer Shane Smeltz is banging them in all over again for his new team and Adama Traore is looking like a real find having been plucked from the Cote D’Ivoire League, a stong left foot, fit, engine running, likely to be plucked up for higher things anon.

Are the Fury really that bad?

The haven’t managed a point, are looking tired already, in August, and their tactical plan seems to be using Ufuk Talay as a deep lying shielding midfielder/playmaker in the Pirlo mould, so much so that Talay was rushed back in to action last weekend, only to ultimately disappoint. Fury aren’t without their strengths, and you’d think once they work out how to supply Robbie Fowler they should start scoring a few, but until then they need to start doing the basics well, and fast, if for no other reason than that surely the fans won’t keep turning up to see them get beaten.

Where is everyone?

Year on year growth is wanted and needed to support new teams but as yet it’s not looking that way with average attendances down at 11,640. That said, as other codes finish up there should be a few new bums on seats and the stats are skewed by, firstly, the new franchises who’ll take time to build up a strong base and Melbourne Victory who’ve dropped as many fans as Newcastle have averaged overall.

Can Phoenix rise?

Wellington Phoenix fourth with a win, a loss and a draw? The same Wellington phoenix who looked like being consigned back to the bottom of the table after losing Shane Smeltz? I hope they can keep this up, on a very small graph they should be heading for fourth after all, and were only two points off the play-offs last season, but, a lot depends on Chris Greenacre keeping up his fine form thus far. They’re boosted too, ahead of the clash with the Victory, by injury to Melbourne’s Evan Berger, another defensive casualty that should give Phoenix hope of getting something from this game.

Will Lloyd Owusu and Cristiano Sharp Shoot Adelaide Up the Table?

Adelaide are starting to look a bit desperate. Having a solid base from which to attack is pointless if you’re not scoring goals and coach Aurelio Vidmar will be counting the days till Owusu is up and running after his extended break. The only goal they’ve scored so far has been a penalty they’re going to need some movement up front to create some space to try and change that, although you’d think they have the perfect chance this weekend when the Fury come to town. And, with rumours of unrest from Brazilian Cassio already seeping out, it might not take many more bad results for a full on revolt.

Will Lavicka’s lawn watering catch on?

The mentalness of Sydney coach Vitezslav Lavicka wetting the pitch before each home game using the Sydney Football Stadium sprinkler system isn’t that it’s a bad idea, per se, it’s that it’s a complete mystery what advantage he thinks he gives his own team, a question baffling fans and pundits alike. Among Sydney’s key traits, slick passing is rarely on of them and booting the ball from deep at John Aloisi’s head can’t really require much lubrication. Not to mention the fact that the enterprise has seen players slipping all over the place, including Kofi Danning, the conduit of Sydney’s hopes. Perhaps there’s a mental edge in having your coach believe your able to control the ball on a slick surface and perhaps they’re not used to it, but if they’re not able to make it work against the Phoenix in round four maybe it’ll best just to save the water.

What’s gone wrong Brisbane?

The A-league is a small league, and a small league encourages anomalies such as small points differences between top and bottom and goal difference gaining more import than it should. But something seems to have gone wrong at Brisbane. With two draws and a loss so far, they’re already 7 points off the top of the table, which after three rounds is no time to panic, but there’s not time to dawdle! Charlie Miller needs to find some more of that effervescent, clock-rewinding charm he was exuding last season and please, won’t someone update their wickipedia page! I’m not a panic monkey but, it’s not inconceivable that Brisbane will lose this weekend to the Central Coast (especially since the Mariners have finally broken that mystifying victory free stretch after some 8 months) , and that the Fury will too, leaving them a possible 10 and 12 points off their state rivals, which would be, I think, I real blow to Qld football.