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A-League season 2014-15: we pick the champions

Getty

Getty

Adelaide United

Eugene Galekovic. Photo: Getty

Eugene Galekovic. Photo: Getty

Coach: Josep Gombau

Captain: Eugene Galekovic

Last Season: sixth (lost to Central Coast Mariners 1-0 in elimination final)

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Ins: Pablo Sanchez (CD Lugo, Spain), Craig Goodwin (Newcastle Jets), James Jeggo (Melbourne Victory), Dylan McGowan (Hearts, Scotland), Ben Warland, Dylan Smith (AIS), Bruce Kamau, John Hall (NYL).

Outs: Jeronimo Neumann (Newcastle Jets), Michael Zullo (Utrecht, Netherlands), John McKain, Jake Barker-Daish (released), Jacob Melling (Melbourne City), Daniel Bowles (Brisbane Roar).

Key man: Marcelo Carrusca – The former Estudiantes attacker is one of the A-League’s showcase midfielders, providing the Reds with an electric spark going forward. Carrusca’s pre-season form has been very good and included scoring the opening goal for the All-Stars against Italian giants Juventus.

Talevski’s thoughts: Josep Gombau is slowly building a very solid Adelaide United squad and is quickly proving to be one of the best coaches in the league. The former Barcelona youth team coach has become a cult hero in the city of churches. The Reds’ biggest issue will be their consistency throughout the season. With Gombau now into his second campaign as manager, you can expect Adelaide to continue improving their style of play and feature in the finals once again.

Prediction: sixth

Brisbane Roar

Coach: Mike Mulvey

Captain: Matt Smith

Last Season: champions and premiers

Ins: Mensur Kurtisi (Shkendija, Macedonia), Adam Sarota (Utrecht, Netherlands), Daniel Bowles (Adelaide United), Jamie Young (Hayes & Yeading United, England), Devante Clut (NYL).

Outs: Besart Berisha (Melbourne Victory), Ivan Franjic (Torpedo Moscow, Russia), Julius Davies (Otelul Galati, Romania), Diogo Ferreira (Perth Glory), Matt Acton (Yangon United, Myanmar).

Key man: Thomas Broich – Arguably the A-League’s best footballer in its first decade, Broich will once again hold the key in Brisbane’s title defence.

Talevski’s thoughts: The big question for Brisbane in their attempt to go back-to-back for the second time is whether they can replace the attacking quality of Besart Berisha. Mulvey has brought in fellow Albanian Mensur Kurtisi from Macedonian club FK Shkendija. Kurtisi, a two-time Macedonian international, scored five of the Roar’s 10 goals against NPL Queensland side Olympic FC in their final pre-season hit-out, suggesting he could be the man. However, the comparison between him and Berisha might overwhelm the new striker. The loss of Socceroo Ivan Franjic will also hurt their chances, but with the depth of their squad, the Roar should be near the top again.

Prediction: third

John Hutchinson. Photo: Getty

John Hutchinson. Photo: Getty

Central Coast Mariners

Coach: Phil Moss

Captain: John Hutchinson

Last Season: third (Lost to Western Sydney Wanderers 2-0 in semi-final)

Ins: Richard Vernes (Budapest Honved, Hungary), Malick Mane (IFK Goteborg), Matthew Nash (Bonnyrigg White Eagles), Anthony Kalik, Liam Rose (AIS), Jacob Poscoliero (Blacktown City).

Outs: Mile Sterjovski, Adam Kwasnik (retired from professional football), Justin Pasfield (Tampines Rovers, Singapore), Marcos Flores (Newcastle Jets), Marcel Seip (FC Emmen, Netherlands), Michael McGlinchey (Wellington Phoenix).

Key man: Mitch Duke – With experienced attackers Mile Sterjovski and Adam Kwasnik along with loanee Bernie Ibini departing the club, Duke will need to improve his goal scoring record if the Mariners are to challenge this season.

Talevski’s thoughts: In nine A-League seasons, Central Coast has made four Grand Finals and seven finals appearances – more than any other club. Unfortunately, that stat is likely to remain the same this season with the Mariners squad depleted after the losses of Seip, Flores and McGlinchey along with the aforementioned attackers. Richard Verne and Malick Mane both look like really good signings, but may take time to adapt to the physicality of the A-League. It is dangerous to say, as they have surprised pundits before, but finals seem out of the picture as the Mariners rebuild ahead of their Asian Champions League campaign in 2015.

Prediction: eighth

Melbourne City

Coach: John van’t Schip

Captain: Patrick Kisnorbo

Last Season: 10th

Ins: David Villa (New York City, USA), Robert Koren (Hull City, England), Damien Duff (Fulham, England), Erik Paartalu (Muangthong United, Thailand), Aaron Mooy (Western Sydney Wanderers), Connor Chapman (Newcastle Jets), Jacob Melling (Adelaide United), James Brown (Newcastle Jets), Marc Marino (AIS).

Outs: Harry Kewell (retired), Orlando Engelaar (Twente, Netherlands), Aziz Behich (Bursapor, Turkey), Sam Mitchinson (Bayswater City), David Vrankovic (Bonnyrigg White Eagles), Jeremy Walker (Hume City).

Key man: Robert Koren – Despite the star studded signing of David Villa, Koren will be the man who will make City tick along this season. With a big turnover of playing personnel, his experience of similar squad changes with Hull City’s English Premier League promotion in 2013 will be invaluable.

Talevski’s thoughts: It has been a pre-season like no other for City with their bottom-placed finish last season a distant memory after their acquisition by Manchester City. The success of the purchase will not be able to be judged for a decade or so due to planned development of an academy, but a finals appearance is on the cards if things fall in the right place. Their biggest task will be tightening their defense, with only four notable defenders. They have an embarrassment of riches, but it takes time to build a successful team – unless you are Western Sydney Wanderers of-course.

Prediction: fifth

Besart Berisha. Photo: Getty

Besart Berisha. Photo: Getty

Melbourne Victory

Coach: Kevin Muscat

Captain: Mark Milligan

Last Season: fourth (lost to Brisbane Roar 1-0 in semi-final)

Ins: Besart Berisha (Brisbane Roar), Daniel Georgievski (Steaua Bucharest), Matthieu Delpierre (Utrecht, Netherlands), Carl Valeri (Ternana, Italy), Fahid Ben Khalfallah (Troyes, France).

Outs: Pablo Contreras (retired), James Troisi (Zulte Waregem, Belgium), Adama Traore (Vitoria de Guimaraes, Portugal), Tom Rogic (Celtic, Scotland), Francesco James Jeggo (Adelaide United), Stella (released).

Key man: Besart Berisha – His signing caused shockwaves around the league when announced and should continue to do so if he reproduces the form he had on a regular basis in Brisbane. His record of 48 goals in 76 games for Brisbane, along with two championships, speaks for itself.

Talevski’s thoughts: The Victory have recruited very well in the off-season bringing in five players that will fit in their starting 11. They may have lost Troisi, Rogic and Traore, but Victory on paper look stronger than ever. With Muscat completing his first pre-season as manager, it will be interesting to see if he can keep cool under pressure should results not go their way. With no distractions of the Asian Champions League, Victory will have full focus on the league. Already in the FFA Cup quarter-finals, a league/cup double is a major chance.

Prediction: first

Newcastle Jets

Coach: Phil Stubbins

Captain: Kew Jaliens

Last Season: seventh

Ins: Jeronimo Neumann (Adelaide United), Billy Celeski (Liaoning Whowin, China), Marcos Flores (Central Coast Mariners), Adrian Madaschi (Jeju United, South Korea), John Solari (White City), Zenon Caravella (FNQ FC Heat), Sam Gallagher (Hanoi T&T, Vietnam), Edson Montano (Barcelona SC, Ecuador), Josh Barresi (Western Sydney Wanderers), Allan Welsh (Croydon Kings) Johnny Steele (New York Red Bulls, USA), Brandon Lundy (NYL).

Outs: Adam Taggart (Fulham, England), Joshua Brillante (Fiorentina, Italy), James Brown, Connor Chapman (Melbourne City), Craig Goodwin (Adelaide United), Joey Gibbs (APIA Leichhardt), Josh Mitchell (Liaoning Whowin, China), Mitchell Oxborrow (released).

Key Man: Marcos Flores – The former Johnny Warren Medalists has only shown glimpse of his stellar form for Adelaide at two other A-League clubs (Victory and Mariners) and the Jets will hope he can provide the consistency he has lacked in the last few seasons.

Talevski’s thoughts: It has been a major overhaul of the squad by Stubbins and the Jets. Experienced duo Billy Celeski and Adrian Madaschi should give the side a solid core while Flores and Jeronimo Neumann will add some flair. Their biggest addition is perhaps the gaffer, Phil Stubbins, who has had success everywhere he has managed in Australia including his assistant role at Adelaide United where they made the Asian Champions League Final before he departed for roles in Thailand. It looms as a long season for the Jets, who will aim to progress with a developing squad.

Prediction: 10th

Terry Antonis. Photo: Getty

Terry Antonis. Photo: Getty

Sydney FC

Coach: Graham Arnold

Captain: Alex Brosque

Last Season: fifth (lost to Melbourne Victory 2-1 in elimination final)

Ins: Bernie Ibini (Shanghai Dongya, China), Marc Janko (Trabzonspor, Turkey), Alex Brosque (Al Ain, UAE), Shane Smeltz (Perth Glory), Alex Gersbach (AIS).

Outs: Alessandro Del Piero (Dehli Dynamos), Brett Emerton (retired), Terry McFlynn (Bonnyrigg White Eagles), Richard Garcia (Minnesota United, USA), Ranko Despotovic (Alaves, Spain), Joel Chianese (Sydney United 58), Mitch Mallia (Blacktown City), Marc Warren, Blake Powell (APIA Leichardt).

Key man: Terry Antonis – Since making his debut as a 16-year-old, Antonis has been the subject of plenty of speculation with big European clubs circling the youngster. With a lot of attacking options in the Sky Blues squad, Antonis will need to play his role in providing the connection between defence and attack.

Talevski’s thoughts: Sydney has a flourish of attacking options including new Austrian marquee Marc Janko, along with Shane Smeltz, Alex Brosque, Bernie Ibini and Corey Gameiro. The defensive duo of Sasa Ognenovski and Nikola Petkovic is one of the most solid in the league. However, with a young midfield Graham Arnold will need to find the right balance if Sydney are to be a serious contender. Will be confident they can finish higher than their fifth place last season.

Prediction: fourth

Perth Glory

Coach: Kenny Lowe

Captain: Michael Thwaite

Last Season: eighth

Ins: Danny Vukovic (Vegalta Sendai, Japan), Youssouf Hersi (Western Sydney Wanderers), Dino Djublic (Al Wahda, UAE), Mitch Nichols (Cerezo Osaka, Japan), Diogo Ferreira (Brisbane Roar), Ruben Zadkovich (Newcastle Jets), Richard Garcia (Minnesota United, USA).

Outs: Jacob Burns, Travis Dodd, Steven McGarry (retired), Ryan Edwards (Reading), Darvydas Sernas (Gaziantepspor, Turkey), Adrian Zahra (Valletta, Malta), Shane Smeltz (Sydney FC), William Gallas (released).

Key man: Youssouf Hersi – Has come across from Western Sydney Wanderers as the club’s new marquee man and the Glory faithful will expect Hersi to be the club’s star player. He is also a proven winner, something the Glory desperately need.

Talevski’s thoughts: Glory has lost a lot of experience over the winter but did well to recruit the likes of Mitch Nichols and Ruben Zadkovich. The question is, will Kenny Lowe get enough time to implement his influence on the squad as the Glory are notorious for cutting their manager’s time short in recent seasons having had seven managers since the start of the A-League. Unfortunately for Perth, their Glory years seem a long time ago.

Prediction: ninth

Wellington Phoenix

Coach: Ernie Merrick

Captain: Andrew Durante

Last Season: ninth

Ins: Tim Doyle (Team Wellington), Michael McGlinchey (Central Coast Mariners), Roly Bonevacia (Roda JC, Netherlands), Alex Rodriguez (Sunderland, England), Nathan Burns (Incheon United, South Korea).

Outs: Carlos Hernandez (C.S. Cartagines, Costa Rica), Leo Bertos (East Bengal, India), Stein Huysegems, Luke Adams (released).

Key man: Nathan Burns – Once regarded as one of the brightest future Socceroos, Burns has not found the right home since departing Adelaide in 2008. Now 26-years-old, Burns is nearing his prime and will need to deliver as the notable replacement for the iconic Carlos Hernandez.

Talevski’s thoughts: Ernie Merrick is never to be underestimated as a manger. Michael McGlinchey’s signing is pivotal and will add extra midfield cover along-side Spaniard Albert Riera. Their side is not the most exciting on paper, but Merrick’s previous sides that won championships were notorious for a great work rate, and this Phoenix squad looks similar. They are the dark horse this season.

Prediction: seventh

Tomi Juric: Photo: Getty

Tomi Juric: Photo: Getty

Western Sydney Wanderers

Coach: Tony Popovic

Captain: Nikolai Topor-Stanley

Last Season: second (lost in grand final to Brisbane Roar 2-1)

Ins: Vitor Saba (Brescia, Italy), Brendan Hamill (Seongnam, South Korea), Romeo Castelen (RKC Waalwijk, Netherlands), Seyi Adeleke (SS Lazio, Italy), Dean Bouzanis (Carlisle United, England).

Outs: Shinji Ono (Consadole Sapporo, Japan), Adam D’Apuzzo (retired), Michael Beauchamp (PTT Rayong, Thailand), Jerome Polenz (Sarpsborg 08, Norway), Aaron Mooy (Melbourne City), Tahj Minniecon (Rockdale City Suns), Josh Barresi (Newcastle Jets), Youssouf Hersi (Perth Glory), Jerrad Tyson (Sun Pegasus, Hong Kong), Dean Heffernan (retired).

Key man: Tomi Juric – It has been a stunning past 12 months for Juric: making his Socceroos debut, scoring against Juventus and now into an Asian Champions League final with the Wanderers. If he can recover from his latest injury setback and remain injury free, we may be seeing the new star of the A-League.

Talevski’s thoughts: The journey of the Wanderers has been nothing short of remarkable in the past two years. Tony Popovic is now one of the most highly touted managers in Asia and the Wanderers are the envy of the A-League. Their biggest task will be juggling the high of the Asian Champions League two-leg final along with their 2015 Asian Campaign kicking off in February, with their week-to-week A-League games.

Prediction: second

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