All the money in the world…
Pep Guardiola’s push for supremacy with Manchester City will go on without financial aid this January, but the same cannot be said for a certain sister club.
The City Football Group have less than three weeks to solve the crisis brewing behind closed doors in Melbourne, with Warren Joyce desperate to replace the barred Bruno Fornaroli.
The Uruguayan’s absence has fuelled talks of a swap deal for Perth Glory’s Andy Keogh, though Joyce himself would prefer the owners take a European approach.
“They’re (Perth) top of the league. I wouldn’t disrupt another football club… they’ve a manager I have a lot of respect for,” Joyce said.
Full-back Ritchie de Laet filled the void left up front on Friday night and repaid the faith with a goal in City’s 1-0 win over Brisbane Roar, but a lack of potency almost cost them.
The predicament, coupled with the climate of the European market, leaves City likely to settle for a loan deal closer to deadline day.
City have survived a relentless start to the New Year but – with four matches in 10 days still to play – could soon rue their lack of resources should Fornaroli’s replacement fail to materialise.
Regardless of his affiliation with the forward position, de Laet is not the answer.
In fact, for a club with such financial freedom, they cannot afford to waste time; they need a new striker and they need one now.
Rise of the Phoenix
“We’ll take anyone on, we don’t fear anyone.”
Mark Rudan has sent a strong message to the rest of the A-League and it’s time they sit up and take notice.
The Wellington Phoenix completed a dramatic second-half turnaround on Saturday, coming from 2-0 down to defeat the Central Coast Mariners in front of 10,186 supporters.
Phoenix fans flooded Westpac Stadium and watched on as Rudan’s revolution rose to a club-record eight games unbeaten.
Determination, vigour, resilience, belief – qualities kept dormant through years of mediocrity – all came to the fore in what’s quickly become the new standard for the Kiwi club.
The result keeps the Nix nestled 10 points safely inside the top six at the midway point of the regular season, with finals football all but a formality.
Four long seasons have stood between Wellington’s last trip to the finals and such a return would give Football Federation Australia plenty of food for thought amid rumours of a license revoke.
Nevertheless, for all this aforementioned uncertainty, one thing remains certain: Rudan’s revival is real.
‘Character’ of champions
Tony Popovic has crowned his incomparable start to life at Perth Glory with a spread of season-defining comeback victories and this past Sunday was no different.
Trailing former club Western Sydney Wanderers 3-1 with 10 minutes remaining, goals to Ivan Franjic, Andy Keogh and Juande completed a remarkable come-from-behind victory at HBF Park.
The stirring second-half revival came just seven days on from their previous heroics away to Brisbane Roar and left Popovic full of praise for the character of his players.
“What’s that they say about character? I’m delighted for everyone involved, the players, the fans, it’s a day I’m sure we’ll all remember,” Popovic said.
“If we want to have a chance to win things, these are the games we’ve got to win.
“We found a win today and we won by dominating.”
The league leaders have now taken maximum points from losing positions on three occasions this season – a testament to their unperturbed approach to adversity.
But the nature of Sunday’s instalment will leave a bitter taste in the mouths of the Wanderers faithful, with referee Kurt Ams again in the firing line for further questionable officiating.
Target practice
If last season’s goal-infested run to the grand final had Newcastle Jets fans flying high, this iteration has them stuck to the tarmac.
Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Melbourne Victory marked the seventh successive week in which the Jets have failed to find all three points despite dominating chances at goal.
Ernie Merrick’s men had 18 shots to Victory’s 11 but left AAMI Park empty handed after James Troisi’s stunning strike beat Lewis Italiano six minutes from full-time.
The Jets’ profligacy in front of goal has seen them accrue just seven points from the last 21 on offer and Merrick, so often a calming figure, could not hide his displeasure.
“We get to the penalty box and the finish is just not there. It’s been a problem we’ve had all year,” the 65-year-old said.
“We seem to have twice as many opportunities as opposition teams but we don’t have the quality and that was the difference.”
Such a poor run of form has left the Hunter club seven points adrift of the sixth-placed Adelaide United at the midway point of the regular season.
Sky Blue fortress?
After some early season struggles away from Allianz Stadium it appears Sydney FC have finally found their new A-League fortress.
Kogarah’s Jubilee Stadium has housed five fixtures this season and Sunday’s 2-1 win over Adelaide United might just have been the best of the lot.
Goals to Siem de Jong and Jacob Tratt sent the Sky Blues on their way to all three points in front of 11,560 supporters; their first home victory against top-six opposition this season.
The boutique stadium has been well received by the defending Premiers, who are boasting better attendances this time out – excluding Sydney derbies – than the figures produced during Graham Arnold’s record-breaking reign at Moore Park.
With three home wins on the trot, Steve Corica’s men will look to make it four when the struggling Newcastle Jets come to town on Saturday.
