A-League..the pre-season chopping and changing.

With the Australian A-League competition getting underway in just over a week (15th of August), it's time for the 8 teams to start focusing on the 21 rounds that lie ahead and for us to focus on who has a good shot at been crowned champions come season's end.


ADELAIDE UNITED
A-League 07/08: 6th
In: Everson Arantes "Alemão" de Oliveira (BRA) from CA Juventus, Mark Birighitti from Australian Institute of Sport, Scott Jamieson from Bolton Wanderers, Daniel Mullen from Australian Institute of Sport, Sasa Ognenovski from Queensland Roar, Paul Reid from Brighton & Hove Albion, Cristiano dos Santos Rodrigues (BRA) from Willem II, Robbie Younis from APIA Leichhardt.
Out: Richie Alagich retired, Robert Bajic released, Nathan Burns to AEK Athens, Bruce Djite to Gençlerbirligi SK, Dez Giraldi to Wollongong Wolves, Shaun Ontong to Newcastle United Jets, Bobby Petta to Para Hills Knights, Milan Susak to SpVgg Unterhaching.

Summary: Australia's only remaining entrant in the Asian Champions' League, Adelaide United, will aim to replicate the sort of success they have enjoyed abroad in the A-League this season. It will not be an easy task considering that they have sold their most valuable assets to clubs in Europe. Australia's most exciting talent, Nathan Burns has moved to the Greek Superliga with AEK Athens and fellow forward and Olyroo team mate, Bruce Djite, will be playing in Turkey's premier league with Gençlerbirligi SK. Reds manager, Aurelio Vidmar, has continued in what seems to be the norm for Australian clubs since the inception of the A-League, signing two Brazilians, one a right-wing back and the other a striker. Alemão is a versatile, 25 year old defender, who is comfortable on either the right side or the centre of defence. Cristiano is a short, speedy striker for whom has spent the majority of the last decade, plying his trade in the Dutch Eredivisie league. With 59 goals to his name during that tenure, Cristiano could prove a handy acquisition for Adelaide this season. No nonsense defender, Sasa Ognenovski, also joins the ranks to stiffen the backbone of the South Australian team.

Footy Analysis says.. that if the two Brazilians can settle quickly, then Adelaide can easily make the playoffs. Having said that, Adelaide have an important two-legged playoff against J-League team, Kashima Antlers, in September. It will be interesting to see whether the Reds can challenge on both fronts.

CENTRAL COAST MARINERS
A-League 07/08: Runners Up
In: Pedj Bojic from Northampton Town, Adrian Caceras from Melbourne Victory, David d'Apuzzo from APIA Leichhardt, Ahmad Elrich from Wellington Phoenix, Dylan MacAllister from Lyn Oslo, Mark Bosnich
Out: John Aloisi to Sydney FC, Adam Kwasnik to Wellington Phoenix, Tom Pondeljak to Melbourne Victory, Tony Vidmar retired.

Summary: After finishing the 07/08 regular season as minor premiers (all be it on goal difference), the Mariners were made to settle for second best after a dramatic 1-0 loss to arch rival, Newcastle Jets. Mariners manager, Lawrie McKinna, has done a fine job at the Central Coast club over the years, encouraging his team to play a neat, passing style type of game from back to front. Following the departure of Australia's World Cup hero, John Aloisi, and fellow attack-minded players, Kwasnik and Pondeljak, Central Coast fans will be hoping that McKinna has done his homework in the transfer market. Flying winger, Ahmad Elrich, returns home after a stint with Wellington last season, and Melbourne boy Adrian Caceras will more than likely fill the role on the opposing wing to the former. Powerful forward, Dylan Macallister, will be expected to help fill the void left by Aloisi after returning to his country of birth following a stagnant few seasons in Norway.

Footy Analysis says.. that Central Coast will struggle to replace the loss of John Aloisi. The veteran striker was in impressive form last season, scoring 7 goals in 12 appearances. Elrich is expected to perform better in more familiar surroundings. Veteran Socceroo and former Aston Villa great, Mark Bosnich, has done enough in pre-season to convince the Mariners management that he is worth taking on. He will be expected to wear the gloves for atleast the first 2 months of the A-League campaign, as a direct replacement for the suspended Danny Vukovic.

MELBOURNE VICTORY
A-League 07/08: 5th
In: Billy Celeski from Perth Glory, Nathan Elasi from Marconi Stallions, Steve Mautone free, Ney Fabiano de Oliveira (BRA) from Chonburi FC, Tom Pondeljak from Central Coast Mariners, José Luis López Ramírez (CRC) from Deportivo Saprissa, Michael Thwaite from SK Brann (loan).
Out: Adrian Caceras to Central Coast Mariners, Joseph Keenan (ENG) to Hibernian, Leandro Love (BRA) Vissel Kobe (loan return), Ljubo Millicevic released, Kaz Patafta to SL Benfica (loan return), Daniel Piorkowski to Whittlesea Zebras.

Summary: Australia's most supported club, Melbourne Victory, will aim to give their 20,000 odd members something to cheer about this season after failing to reach the heights in season 07/08. Despite an unbeaten run of seven games to start the campaign and a string of wins to finish off the season , injuries and unrest in the camp played their part somewhere in the middle. The Victory have had a busy off-season, on and off the pitch. In March, Melbourne enjoyed their first taste of Asian Champions' League football, although it turned out to be bitter sweet. Poor away form and inexperience proved Melbourne's major downfalls, although it was not all doom and gloom. Wily Victory manager, Ernie Merrick, managed to lure Chonburi FC's prized asset, Brazilian striker Fabiano. Fabiano was a thorn in the Victory side when the teams met twice in this competition and has already shown to be a fruitful acquisition. The new man scored a bullet header in the pre-season cup against Adelaide United, a competition which Melbourne eventually won 7-6 on penalties against the Wellington Phoenix, after a 0-0 stalemate. In addition to boosting his attacking ranks, Merrick has invested wisely in other positions. Central midfielder and Costa Rican international, José Luis López Ramírez, joins fellow countryman Carlos Hernandez, for whom settled nicely towards the back end of last season. Big central defender and former Australian international, Michael Thwaite, returns to his homeland from SK Brann, in search of first team football. Other notable additions include exciting Olyroo winger, Billy Celeski, and veteran winger Tom Pondeljak.

Footy Analysis says.. that Melbourne are on track to repeat their championship winning season of 06/07. Merrick has recruited very well in areas that needed strengthening, especially after the departures of Fred (to DC United ) and Adrian Leijer (Fulham). Thwaite will add much needed stability to the Victory backline, Costa Ricans Ramirez and Fernandez will the pull the strings in midfield, and Fabiano together with Archie Thompson should prove too hot to handle for A-League defences.

NEWCASTLE UNITED JETS
A-League 07/08: Champions
In: Jesper Håkansson (DAN) from Lyngby BK, Ben Kantarovski from New South Wales Institute of Sport, Antun Kovacic from Richmond Eagles, Jason Naidovski from Australian Institute of Sport, Shaun Ontong from Adelaide United, Kaz Patafta from Melbourne Victory, Edmundo (ECU) Zura from Barcelona Sporting Club.
Out: Mark Bridge to Sydney FC, Andrew Durante to Wellington Phoenix, Steve Eagleton retired, Troy Hearfield to Wellington Phoenix, Paul Kohler released, Steven Laybutt released, Stuart Musialik to Sydney FC, Denni Rocha dos Santos (BRA) released, Scott Tunbridge released.

Summary: Current defending A-League champion, Newcastle United Jets, will carry the burden of high expectations on its shoulders as it tries to emulate the victorious 07/08 season. The man pulling the strings again this season will be Jets manager, Gary Van Egmond. Australian football should be indebted to Gary for the way he orchestrates his team to play the game in a simple but effective manner, letting the ball do the work - the way football should be played. I'm sure new imports such as Ecuadorian striker, Edmundo Zura, and Dutch attacking midfielder, Jesper Håkansson, will enjoy the 'European' style that Van Egmond employs. Young ball player, Kaz Patafta also joins the champions after Melbourne Victory decided not to extend his loan deal and 'home' club Benfica were not interested in hanging onto him any longer. Despite finishing second during the regular season (07/08), Newcastle had the equal worst goal scoring record in the league with only 25 goals scored in 21 games! Jets fans across the country will be hoping that Ecuadorian international, Zura, forms a deadly partnership with last season's run away golden boot winner, Joel Griffiths. Griffiths is the most potent striker in the A-League's short history, scoring an average of a goal every 2 games, with 21 goals in 42 appearances. Zura has represented Ecuador on 7 occasions, and also led the U18 team to victory as an overage player (25) in the 2007 Pan American Games, scoring 3 goals in the process and voted Ecuador's best player. 26 year old Dane, Håkansson, represented Denmark at U16, U17, U19, U20 and U21 levels and was called up to the full international team last year but did not feature. He has scored goals in all the top leagues in Denmark, Sweden, and Holland. Those deparing incude finals hero, striker Mark Bridge, veteran defender Durante and young tough-tackling midfielder and Olyroo, Stuart Musialik.

Footy Analysis says.. that if Gary Van Egmond can inspire his new players and bring out the best in them, then Newcastle are a realistic candidate for the top 4. Imports Håkansson and Zura have shown that they do have 'world class' potential but their careers have stalled somewhat in the last 3 years or so. With a question mark also hanging above Kaz Patafta's young head, it will be interesting to see how Newcastle's season develops.

PERTH GLORY
A-League 07/08: 7th
In: Eugène Dadi (CIV) from Hapoel Arce, Hayden Doyle from Niki Volou FC, Mark Lee from ECU Joondalup, Frank Juric from Hannover 96, Josip Magdic from Floreat Athena, Alexandre da Silva "Amaral" Mariano (BRA) from Grêmio Barueri, Adriano Pellegrino from Adelaide City, Adrián Darío Trinidad (ARG) from KL Plus FC.
Out: Leo Bertos (NZL) to Wellington Phoenix, Billy Celeski to Melbourne Victory, Simon Colosimo to Sydney FC, Boima Karpeh (LBR) to Whittlesea Zebras, Stan Lazaridis released/retired, Mitchell Prentice to Sydney FC, Jordan Simpson released, Tyler Simpson released.

Summary: Once a club that sat atop the pedastal of Australian football, Perth Glory is in the midst of a rebuilding phase after poor attendances and poor perfomances on the field. David Mitchell, Socceroo legend and Glory manager, will attempt to bring the crowds back to the Members Equity Stadium. For those who are a little superstitious, then the omens are not good with Mitchell signing a former gravedigger, 35 year old Brazilian defensive midfielder, Alexandre da Silva "Amaral" Mariano. Along with his digging expertise, Amaral will bring a wealth of footballing experience to the Glory ranks, having accumulated over 30 caps for the Brazilian national team (all be it some 12 years ago). His honors list is very extensive - including an Olympic bronze medal in Atlanta '96, with his last notable contribution, winning the Coppa Italia with Fiorentina in season 00/01. If Amaral doesn't wet the appetitte, then maybe 25 year old Argentinian, Adrián Darío Trinidad will. He is an attacking midfielder with an eye for goal, arriving in Perth from Malaysian club, KL Plus FC. Veteran striker, Ivorian Eugène Dadi, will hope he can turn back the clock and provide some of the spark that he eminated during his 'glory days' in the lower divisions of England. His presence and power may be the perfect foil for young Olyroo, Nikita Rukavytsya. Experienced keeper, Juric, returns home after a solid decade in German football. He will most definitely replaced poor keeper, Tando Velaphi, in goals. Last season's entire midfield has been shipped out, with Bertos, Celeski and Colosimo making way for new blood and optimism.

Footy Analysis says.. that Mitchell and the Glory management team were right to ring the changes as the team's on-field performances have been in free fall in recent years. Mitchell now has three experienced professionals at his disposal, for which run right down the spine of the team - from Dadi up front to Juric between the posts. Rukavytsya will miss the first few weeks of the season but will come back a better player following his Olympics experience. Taking everything into consideration, we just don't think that Glory have enough about them to make the 4 this season.

QUEENSLAND ROAR
A-League 07/08: 4th
In: Isaka Cernak from Australian Institute of Sport, Luke Devere from Australian Institute of Sport, David Dodd from Palm Beach Sharks, Ross Foley (SCO) from Dundee, Lachlan Kennedy from Brisbane Olympic, Charlie Miller (SCO) from Lierse SK, Thomas Oar from Queensland Academy of Sport, Tim Smits from Rochdale Rovers, Sergio van Dijk (NED) from FC Emmen.
Out: Simon Lynch (SCO) to Airdrie United, Márcio Luiz "Marcinho" Adurens(BRA) released, Sasa Ognenovski to Adelaide United.

Summary: One of the youngest teams in the competition, Queensland Roar manager, Frank Farina, has put the club's fate in the hands of the future and he should be commended for that. Players like Kruse, Minniecon and Zullo are fine examples of the young, modern footballer - possessing an abundance of skill and speed. But, as Arsene Wenger will contest youth alone will not bring you silverware. Experienced men, centre-back Sasa Ognenovski, Simon Lynch, and Brazilian Marcinho have all been shown the door. Veterans Craig Moore, Josh McCloughlan, and Danny Tiatto will be left to lead by example. Joining them this season is experienced Scot, Charlie Miller, for whom scored a number of goals from midfield in his time in Scotland, Norway and Belgium. After been released by Lierse S.K. in the off-season, he would eagerly want to prove some doubters wrong. In a comedy of events, Brazilian striker Reinaldo was sold to Korean club, Busan I'Park this off-season, only to have a change of heart and return back to Queensland. He is an important player for the Roar, considering that they were one of the lowest scorers in the A-League last season (25).

Footy Analysis says.. that the Roar will struggle this season as Farina has not invested in areas that needed attention, mainly in attack. If anything, the Roar are weaker than last season with the sale of key defender, Ognenovski and inventive midfielder, Marcinho. Frank will be hoping that his faith in the Australian Institute of Sport's football program doesn't come back to haunt him.

SYDNEY FC
A-League 07/08: 3rd
In: John Aloisi from Central Coast Mariners, Mark Bridge from Newcastle United Jets, Simon Colosimo from Perth Glory, Brendan Gan from Sutherland Sharks (youth), Anthony Golec from Sydney United (youth), Vedran Janjetovic from Sydney United (youth), Stuart Musialik from Newcastle United Jets, Chris Payne from Manly United, Mitchell Prentice from Perth Glory.
Out: Osvaldo Giroldo Júnior "Juninho Paulista" (BRA) released, Mark Milligan released, Brendan Renaud released, Mark Roberton released, Patrick da Silva (BRA) to PFC Cherno More Varna, Ufuk Talay to Avispa Fukuoka, Ben Vidaic to Sydney United, Ruben Zadkovich to Derby County, David Zdrillic released.

Summary: One of the more glamorous clubs in Australia, Sydney FC and their fanatical fanbase will be expecting nothing less than the A-League championship this season. Funded by Hollywood hotshot, Anthony LaPaglia, Sydney FC resembles the proverbial rotating turnstile in each and every off-season, especially when things don't go to plan. Socceroo legend and Sydney manager, John Kosmina, has invested in tried and trusted, A-League stalwarts for this campaign. Aloisi, Bridge, Colosimo, Musialik, and Prentice were all important players for their respective clubs last season so it will be a double advantage, per say, for the Sky Blues. Going out through the trap door are former Middlesbrough and Brazilian international Juninho Paulista, fellow countryman Patrick da Silva, midfielder Ufuk Talay, and exciting winger and Olyroo Ruben Zadkovich.

Footy Analysis says.. that Kosmina has invested wisely on players that perform consistantly on a weekly basis. Players like Zadkovich, Patrick, and Talay did not perform to expectations last season and were rightly let go. Sydney may be short of one or two defenders to challenge for the title but have enough about them going forward to qualify for the final playoffs.

WELLINGTON PHOENIX
A-League 07/08: 8th (last)
In: Leo Bertos (NZL) from Perth Glory, Andrew Durante from Newcastle United Jets, Troy Hearfield from Newcastle United Jets, Adam Kwasnik from Central Coast Mariners, Gao Leilei (CHN) from Myllykosken Pallo, Jonathan McKain from Politehnica Ştiinţa Timişoara, David Mulligan (NZL) from Port Vale, Ben Sigmund (NZL) from Auckland City.
Out: Ross Aloisi retired, Royce Brownlie released, Felipe de Souza Campos (BRA) released, Ahmad Elrich to Central Coast Mariners, Steven O'Dor to South Melbourne, Steven Old (NZL) to MacArthur Rams, Kristian Rees to Adelaide City, Jacob Spoonley (NZL) released.

Summary: Struggling franchise, Wellington Phoenix, will aim to capture the imagination of the New Zealand footballing public this season after showing glimpses of what they are capable of in 07/08, in what was on a whole a rather dissapointing campaign. Phoenix manager, Ricki Herbert, has taken a different approach this season in a bid to improve his team's fortunes. Ricki has gone Australian, no he hasn't changed citizenship, but he has signed an entire crop of Australian players such as experienced centre-half Andrew Durante, attack-minded Adam Kwasnik, and versatile former Australian international Jon McKain. Joining the gang of Aussies are flying Kiwi winger Leo Bertos, and impressive Chinese midfielder Gao Leilei who had a previous stint in New Zealand with the now defunct New Zealand Knights. These are impressive signings indeed by Herbert and there is no reason why his team can't improve on last season's dismal last placing. In fact, the influx of new players have already shown their worth by reaching the final of the A-League pre-season cup, where they eventually lost to Melbourne Victory on penalties.

Footy Analysis says.. that the Phoenix will surprise many people this season. Durante and McKain will give Wellington some added steel in defence, whereas Leilei, Kwasnik, and Bertos are more than capable of creating opportunities and scoring the odd goal. With current New Zealand footballer of the year, striker Shane Smelz in their ranks, the sky is the limit for the Phoenix.