Divine Intervention Needed
After the disgraceful second half fade out last week what better place than Adelaide for Melbourne City to visit. Fans will be praying the ‘City of Churches’ could provide some divine intervention for the long suffering City fans whose lofty preseason expectations have been far from met.
Adelaide hasn’t exactly been setting the league on fire and are firmly rooted to the bottom of the table and are the only team not to have registered a win in the first month. Rocked by a coaching change at the beginning of the season and some head office changes the club will want a much better showing for the Thursday night clash. Yes, I said Thursday and no I’m not sure either why this game is scheduled for a Thursday night not during school holidays.
Last week City lacked experience during crucial periods and it showed as Newcastle clawed their way back into the game. Van’t Schip also made a few tactical errors with his substitutions but when you’re the home team leading 2-0 you expect the XI players on the pitch to get the job done. This week we welcome back Erik Paartalu, and livewire Harry Novillo whilst Northern Ireland international Aaron Hughes could make his debut for the club. Jason Trifiro has also been added to the squad, whilst Tando Velaphi will change places with Alexander Pavlidis and watch the game from the bench with his keeping gloves ready to go.
Personally I cannot stomach the inexperienced excuse when you have Patrick Kisnorbo and Thomas Sorensen on the pitch. Neither player stood up to the challenge last week to lead the team when needed, this must be improved on. Sorensen is only new to the club but needs to impart his wealth of experience on the more junior members of the squad.
Something isn’t quite right at the club but I just cannot put my finger on it.
Saying that I strongly believe the club is much better placed than ever before. Our squad is the strongest it’s ever been and barring injury is one of the best in the league (on paper). There was a great vibe around the AAMI Park precinct Friday night and I believe the club is working harder than ever to engage current fans and attract new ones. Once our performance on the pitch improves the club will only get stronger and really build City to the club I firmly believe it can be.
No matter the result away to Adelaide I cannot wait for our next home game and the visit of the passionate Western Sydney Wanderers supporters.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT
David Williams – Willo is one of the most frustrating players to watch at the present time with his confidence levels taking a battering over the last 18 months. He is a far cry from his North Queensland days when he was a standout player and one of the best players in the league. Williams has slipped from being a key member of the squad to barely breaking into the starting XI when our recent injury crisis has hit. Willo is more than capable to be that attacking player the club needs him to be; hopefully we will start seeing that again soon.
THE MONTH AHEAD
Adelaide (Away)
Western Sydney Wanderers (Home)
Brisbane Roar (Away)
Perth Glory (Home)
Predicted Points – 7
BY THE NUMBERS
Overall
Played 145
Won 42 Drawn 41 Lost 62
Vs. Adelaide
Played 15
Won 3 Drew 5 Lost 7
At Coopers Stadium
Played 9
Won 1 Drawn 4 Lost 4
MEDICAL ROOM
Franjic – Quad (1-2 weeks)
Koren – Calf (3-4 weeks)
Zullo – Calf (1-2 weeks)
Brown – Foot (indefinite)
Marino – Knee (3 months)
FUN FACT
The next time City play on a weekend will be against Newcastle on December 13th
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