Keep or Cull: Sydney FC

With Sydney FC’s ending last Friday night at the hands of Melbourne Victory, it’s time to take a look at who I would ‘keep or cull’ in preparation for season 2014/15.

1. Ivan Necevski
Clearly his career has stalled. He is well behind Vedran Janjetovic and it seems he won’t ever get another opportunity. In recent years when given the opportunity, he has failed to be confident in his ability. CULL

2. Sebastian Ryall
Arguably Sydney’s favourite son and the Victory’s most hated. While he’s adequate at centre back, he seems to be at his best as a right back. He marauding runs down the right flank have seen him score a few goals this season, his most memorable being the one he scored in Sydney’s 5:0 demolition of Melbourne Victory. KEEP

3. Marc Warren
Poor. Every performance was littered with mistakes. CULL (Ed’s note: Warren has been released by Sydney FC and signed with APIA Leichhardt in the NPLNSW. His first game was this past weekend and he even managed to score the game’s opening goal but APIA still lost.)

4. Ranko Despotovic
He has been a decent signing. Our first legitimate attacking threat since Bruno Cazarine, Ranko excelled when given great service, especially from Alessandro Del Piero. Given this, I am cautious in giving him a new contract but he’s better than our other forward options. KEEP

5. Matthew Jurman
At centre back, he wasn’t great. Shifted out to left back during the latter part of the season, he seemed to better suit this position. While I believe he’s not the standard we should be looking to keep, he could be an asset as an option off the bench. KEEP

6. Nikola Petkovic
Outstanding. Came in 2 weeks before the season started and went straight into the first XI. He’s not missed a game since and has arguably been Sydney’s best ever defender. This one is simple. KEEP (Ed’s note: Petkovic has re-signed for a further 2 seasons)

7. Brett Emerton
He retired before I could cull him. He made the right decision, given that he revealed injuries had hampered his career at Sydney. CULL

8. Pedj Bojic
His first season at Sydney has been extremely disappointing. Hampered by injuries, the Sydney faithful are yet to see the best of Bojic. He is clearly now the back-up option to Seb Ryall at right back. KEEP…for now

9. Corey Gameiro
He began his season in rehab thanks to Fox Sports. His comeback began brightly, scoring a couple goals initially. His pace troubled most teams. Then he dropped off. There’s no point in having pace if you’ve got the touch of an elephant. KEEP…for now

10. Alessandro Del Piero
Del Piero has provided flashes of brilliance this season. To me, he has not performed to the levels he did in his first season with the club. Whilst he has been good in raising the club’s profile, he’s been unable to influence the team to a good season. I have concerns regarding renewing his contract. I’d only re-sign him if he was happy with having no guarantee of playing time. CULL

11. Richard Garcia
After a poor start, Garcia came good…enough. Another one of the club’s veterans, like Del Piero I would only keep him if he’s happy with having no guarantee of playing time. CULL

12. Blake Powell
Rarely, if ever, got an opportunity this season. In seasons past, I’ve not been impressed. He doesn’t have what it takes to succeed at this level. CULL (Ed’s note: rumour has it that Powell will sign with NPLNSW club APIA Leichhardt)

13. Sasa Ognenovski
A mid season signing, he formed an instant partnership with Petkovic. Arguably, his defensive efforts are why Sydney made the six. This one is also simple. KEEP (Ed’s note: Sasa has re-signed with the club for 2014/15)

14. Mitchell Mallia
See Blake Powell. CULL

15. Terry McFlynn
The lifeblood of the club, he is what every captain the world over should aspire to be. With regard to his playing talent, the A-League has clearly passed him by and although I would have liked to have seen him play for a 10th season, I think McFlynn has made the right decision in retiring. CULL (Ed’s note: he retired)

16. Joel Chianese
He’s scored goals this season when he’s been unmarked. Anybody can do that. What troubles me is his lack of physicality and ability to challenge players in one-on-one situations. His goals hide his aforementioned deficiencies. In saying that, I don’t believe he’s up to A-League standard. CULL

17. Terry Antonis
Terry spent almost a year out recuperating from injury. This lengthy spell one the sideline has done him a world of good. He’s back fresh and fitter than ever, making good contributions for a club whose season has been quite poor. He’s even managed to improve his shooting. This is another straightforward answer. KEEP

18. Peter Triantis
Spent the entire season injured. Prior appearances indicate he has something to offer. KEEP…for now

19. Nick Carle
By his standard, Carle has had an extremely poor season. He was never given a chance at his preferred number 10 role even when Del Piero was injured. In context, Farina played Carle in a position that he wasn’t familiar with. It didn’t help Carle’s cause when he alluded to his disappointment in this during a post-match interview with Fox Sports. He’s not played a game since and won’t as long as Farina is in charge. Most fans want Farina gone. KEEP

20. Vedran Janjetovic
He’s had a better than average season. Like Del Piero, Janjetovic hasn’t consistently played to the levels he did last season. That being said, along with Petkovic and Ognenovski, Vedran is one of the reasons why Sydney finished 5th.

21. Milos Dimitrijevic
Another mid-season signing, Dimitrijevic oozes quality. Great on the ball and not afraid to try from distance. He offers something different to our other midfielders. KEEP

22. Ali Abbas
A lot of people will tell you Abbas has been one of, if not, our best players this season. I don’t agree with this but I will say he has performed admirably, especially in the face of alleged racism. I think we saw him at his best at left back. KEEP

23. Rhyan Grant
A potentially career-defining season was cut short due to an ACL injury. Performances prior to this indicated he was a valuable asset. KEEP

24. Hagi Gligor
He got a few opportunities this season compared to the previous season. He impressed when called upon but I feel he’s probably 1-2, but more closer to 2, years away from being a regular first team squad member. KEEP

25. Daniel Petkovski
Rarely, if ever, got an opportunity this season. He is a member of Sydney’s successful NYL side. Future prospects and potential? Who knows? KEEP

26. Josh MacDonald
Who are you? UNSURE

27. Chris Naumoff
Naumoff got more game time this season and occasionally proved to be a useful addition to the team. However, I felt these were few and far between. At this stage he’s probably handy off the bench. KEEP

28. Matt Thompson
After a promising start, he turned out to be quite average. Quite visible as to why he couldn’t pick up a deal at other clubs after being released by Melbourne Heart. He’s pretty much your standard midfielder. Murdocca and Engelaar are better than him, as is Dimitrijevic and Antonis. CULL

29. Alec Urosevski
See Chris Naumoff. KEEP

33. Anthony Bouzanis
See Josh MacDonald. UNSURE

34. Aaron Calver
A promising defender from the NYL side. I have always been impressed by his apparent talent. He is definitely one for the future. KEEP

36. Themba Muata-Marlow
I think he got game time once. Other than that, see Josh MacDonald. KEEP.

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