A-League season preview

Id like to start by first welcoming the newest member of the Boom Goes The Arsenal team, The Manager. I am looking forward to his contributions over the coming season, his insight and passion for the game will make for some interesting reading. Add to that the fact he is a die hard Newcastle Jets fan i am sure i can count on his support when we meet the pretty boys of the league, Henry Bergkamp's Sydney FC!

Speaking of which i better get down to business and lay down my thoughts for the coming A-League season, Mark III. As ive previously stated i am indeed looking forward to the football that lies ahead, i have a feeling that it is going to be a very close title race and that top 4 spots wont be decided until the last weekend. Damm i love this game!

Champions - Newcastle Jets

You may be pissing yourself laughing right now, thinking that ive gone mad, but i have a very good feeling for this season. The Jets suffered some massive losses from last season (Carle, Okon and Rodriguez) but have been able to bring in some decent talent as well (Spencer, Denni, Drovandi and Jardel). Gary van Egmond proved last year how good a coach he is, taking the Jets from last to 3rd in a little over half a season, in the second half of the season there was no better team in the league, none! The greatest injustice was that they never made the Grand Final.
Player to Watch - Jorge Drovandi
Leading Goal Scorer - Mark Bridge
Waste of Space - Since Coveny has left, nobody!

2nd - Melbourne

Most people's obvious choice to take the league title again, not mine. While the team is full of quality, and i love the fact that they were getting over 50,000 fans to their games, i hate Muscat and i hate Merrick. I think they are going to feel the loss of Fred alot more than they think and unless someone is able to fill that void i dont see the goals coming.
Player to Watch - Carlos Hernandez
Leading Goal Scorer - Danny Allsopp
Waste of Space - Archie Thompson

3rd - Sydney FC

Ive been sitting here for over 10 minutes after deciding on the top 2 trying to figure out the rest of the league, finally settling on Sydney, but not by much. Id also like to see some finals football live this year so the fags in blue making the semi's will help that happen. After a very ordinary pre season with players leaving, players coming back and a struggle to find a "marquee" signing, i think they may struggle early on in the season but come finals time, they will be there.
Player to Watch - Juninho (who else?)
Leading Goal Scorer - Patrick Da Silva (Alex Brosque? hahahahaha)
Waste of Space - Alex Brosque

4th - Adelaide

If there is a more boring team on the planet i DONT want to see them. They are rubbish, but they win games, due in large to the fact they bore the opposition to sleep then steal a goal. They were an embarrassment in the Grand Final last year, way out of their depth but as i said above they win games and therefore will be there in the finals. The only decent thing about them is Angelo Costanzo and that ponytail of his!
Player to Watch - Cassio
Leading Goal Scorer - Paul Agostino
Waste of Space - Aurelio Vidmar (yes the manager)

5th - Queensland Roar
But only just, i dont rate Farina as a manager and i still hold a grudge against him for everything he did to the national team. decent signings will help them this year.

6th - Central Coast Mariners
They are a consistent team i will give them that, but they are very similar to Adelaide and we all know what i think they them!

7th - Wellington Phoenix
So the whole story is they are rising from the ashes left by those poor excuses for football teams of the previous seasons hey? i think they will be the surprise packet of the season.

8th - Perth Glory
Looking at their squad the biggest thing that stands out is that they have FOUR goalkeepers! With the squad limitations that are in place can you give me a good reason why you would waste four of them on goalkeepers? Wooden spoon anyone?

So thats it, thats the season, we may as well pack up and go home now. Unless of course you are a Newcastle Jets fan because the fun is only just about to start! GO THE JETS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Its just my opinion

Sir Boom