Season Preview – Melbourne City
Melbourne City fans have given new owners City Football Group over a year now to adjust to life in the A-League and now for the majority of fans this is enough time to settle in. 2015/16 is time for City fans to finally enter a season without fear or trepidation. Last season we showed we finally belong at the top half of the table and expectations should be much higher with the supporter group than ever before. Smart signings during the off season and the ability to rid ourselves of players who were signed on long term contracts in error has finally given John Van’t Schip his real 2.0 squad.
Arrivals
Wade Dekker – A product of the Melbourne City NPL championship winning team. Dekker will most likely become an impact player off the bench.
Bruno Fornaroli – Recruited from Danubio in Uruguay. Has looked impressive against lesser opposition in the preseason but am always mindful when a player has been loaned more than a library book.
Ivan Franjic – Returns hope after being torpedoed from Moscow. Will miss the first game but should become a key player if he wants to continue his Socceroos career. Always good to have some local Melbourne product in the team.
Corey Gameiro -A knee injury cruelled his season last year but very hopeful he will take advantage of his new surroundings. Very talented player.
Aaron Hughes – What every A-League team needs, a 35-year-old central defender. Has come to Melbourne City on the advice of former Fulham teammate Damien Duff after Duff’s successful stint in Australia. Will need to work hard if he is to break up the Kisnorbo/Chapman centre pairing. FIFA15 currently rates his higher that I do, hopefully that changes over the course of the season.
Steve Kuzmanovski – A quality signing from Western Sydney who has international experience at youth level. The 18-year-old may find it hard to break into the starting line-up but should find his feet at this level and beyond.
Thomas Sorensen – Eyebrows were raised when Sorensen was signed to a multiyear contract at City. Firstly many believed Tando Velaphi was good enough to perform the as City’s number one and we all know how precious international visa spots are for our competition. Personally I think it’s a great decision by the club and an experienced keeper could be very valuable at the point end of the stadium.
Michael Zullo – Zullo will be a welcome addition for City and should become a regular fixture over the course of the season.
Departures
Damien Duff, Mate Dugandzic, Jason Hoffman, Kew Jaliens, Josh Kennedy, Massimo Murdocca, Iain Ramsay, Andrew Redmayne, Rob Wielaert.
The Coach: John Van’t Schip
When John Van Schip initially took on the Melbourne Heart role he had the ability to choose his squad, when he decided to venture back to Australia after working on his tan in Mexico he inherited a lacklustre squad that was run on a shoestring budget and was never capable of winning a championship. When you look at the 2015/16 squad JVS has little room to move if this squad fails to win any silverware and their could be some nervous moments during the season if his players aren’t firing.
Season Expectations:
It would be remise of me if I was to discount last years Grand Finalists Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC but I actually believe for the first time in six seasons we have the ability to win the competition. We no longer have liabilities on the field such as Mate Dugandzic or Andrew Redmayne and we are a far superior team from the inaugural City squad. Realistiacally anything below a top four finish should be judged as a failure and if this does happen. Optimistically I am looking towards silverware but would also take a Grand Final and FFA Cup final appearance.
Player to Watch:
The obvious standout is Aaron Mooy who has gone from strength to strength with the club since signing his marquee deal. City will be looking towards Mooy as the standout goal scoring option with Josh Kennedy retiring in the off season. Corey Gameiro will be eased back into action when he finally returns from his knee injury last season. Other players will need to step up during the times Mooy is absent on Socceroos duty and Robert Koren will need to improve on his much maligned debut season. Aaron Mooy is the piece of the puzzle that could potentially win City a title, but more will be asked of the bit players.
Three Key Games:
With the finals based format form at the end of the season is crucial. City play three key games at AAMI Park in the final four games of the season and this could shape the season for the club. Playing Brisbane, Wellington and Adelaide in the final month of the season could be the difference of a double chance or a home final for the club. Of course that is considering all goes to plan for John Van’t Schip and his handpicked squad.
Don’t forget to enter our tipping competition
https://www.fromthestandsal.com/2015/09/06/201516-from-the-stands-a-league-competition/
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