Brisbane Roar loss a blessing in disguise

FTSAUS Brisbane Roar correspondent Morgan Frendin believes that Brisbane Roar have a lot of work to do if they are to retain their A-League titles this season.

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Sunday’s result saw Adelaide bundle Brisbane Roar over once again in both teams first game of Season 10. The game was highly contested with a few defining moments separating the teams.

It was interesting to note that Gombau’s men played a 3-4-3 formation that looked surprisingly resilient at the back. This bodes well for United fans because if their was any criticism of the team last season it was usually their defence and how they were unable to fully fortify it.

One of the players to really stand out  in this formation for Adelaide, who also claimed all three Alex Tobin points was Bruce Djite. His ability to be that focal point for Adelaide United and hold up the ball around him is a large reason why Adelaide were triumphant of Sunday.

It was also interesting to see how well Adelaide has adapted to certain teams and their weaknesses. Adelaide’s incorporation of the direct ball to their attacking wingers in Goodwin and Pablo Sanchez see’s them bring a different dimension to their game as well as relieve them from teams high pressing. This resolute change in defence and their dimensional play is why many pundits and fans have them as one of the favourites to take out some silverware this season.

As for Brisbane Roar it is too early to start depressing over the season ahead but this result has only heightened the pressure on these men as they seek to extend their success with more silverware this season. For the entirety of the match, Brisbane played extremely well, dominating possession against a very good Adelaide side. The interrelating passes across the field were crisp and intelligent and there will be no questions of hunger as the roar team came flying out of the blocks.

Perhaps too much emotion got the better of the team as Matt McKay saw red in the second half. The boys seemed to be rattled from the inconsistency of Ben Williams officiating and this contributed to their inability to get a late equaliser. Meanwhile, Jamie Young’s performance was a highlight, with the understudy stepping into the massive boots of Michael Theo. If there was but one criticism of the 29-year-old. it would be his speed in playing out from the back, when there were opportunities to throw the ball out to the wing-backs he did not capitalise on them.

But overall Adelaide should be highly satisfied that they were able to claim maximum points away to the reigning champions and for Brisbane they shouldn’t be disheartened with a wonder strike and an own goal the only thing separating them from all 3 points.

Replacing Berisha:

It is hard to fully evaluate Mensur Kurtishi on this performance alone, but for Brisbane Roar fans they should be satisfied with his contribution. His touch and strength on the ball were a surprise to many as he looked a more elegant and sophisticated striker to the aggressive and ferocious Besart Berisha. His let-offs and passes to players around him were extremely well performed and it was only his pressing ability and individual runs that were the only sore points on a reasonably promising debut. But as I talk about Kurtishi, unlike many commentators I don’t talk about him as if he will ever replace Berisha. It is simply too difficult to replace a player that was never really touted to be the best striker the league has ever had

A concerning point on this topic is the recruitment style of Mulvey. What I’m seeing from the squad is that we have too many non-goal threatening players and so this will only cause us more difficulties when trying to replace Besart Berisha and the threat that he carries. If Mulvey knew he could never replace Berisha directly perhaps he should have delved into the transfer market for other options; promising attacking midfielders and versatile  wingers. But again it is too early to tell what Mulvey has tweaked formation wise.

Overall it now becomes more difficult for both teams as one heads home to Adelaide Oval to play Melbourne Victory who romped 4-1 past a depleted Western Sydney Wanderers outfit. As for Brisbane, they head over to the other side of Australia to face Perth Glory, who successfully collected three points against Wellington. It is now up to Brisbane, who will head into this fixture without any points and a certain Matt McKay, to bounce back and remind the A-League pack why they are the defending champions.

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