City Views – Wellington at Home

Australia Day eve, apparently it’s a thing these days.  Let’s look at the positives; it gives most of us a four day weekend if we have looked ahead and booked early with the boss, we can continue watching the world’s best tennis players ply their trade as Melbourne hosts the first grand slam of the year and better still you can watch the A-League’s most exciting team at AAMI Stadium.

When I say most exciting team look away if you are a steadfast fan of defense.  Whilst the attacking trio of Aaron Mooy, Bruno Fornaroli and Harry Novillo have been discussed at length we have forgotten about the leaky defending that has conceded ten goals in the last five games, the second worst in the league behind the last places Mariners.

City has made up for their woeful defending by being the most attacking team in the competition scoring 37 goals, a dozen more than the table topping Wanderers.  In the last four home games City fans have witnessed 18 goals, with the home team scoring 12 of them.

So if you want attacking, exciting football why wouldn’t you turn up to AAMI Park on Monday. 

You want more I hear you say? How about we throw in the W-League Semi Final between the undefeated City ladies and Brisbane Roar, the action commences at 4:30pm.  City enters the game as overwhelming favourites with stars Stephanie Catley, Jessica Fishlock and Lisa De Vanna all in action.  Roar will be without Katrina Gorry who is missing due to suspension which will make it even tougher for the visitors.

Off the pitch it has been a very busy period with David Williams, Robi Koren and Stefan Mauk all farewelling the club.  Williams leaves for Hungary to continue his playing career and pursue increased playing time, something lacking from this season.  Koren has been released with a $400,000 golden handshake which closes the book on the very disappointing 18 month marquee stint.  Stefan Mauk returns to his hometown in a direct swap with defender Osama Malik. 

Also joining the club are former Central Coast midfielders Nick Fitzgerald and Anthony Caceres, the latter coming via a controversial loan deal with parent club Manchester City.  Whilst within the rules of the league the Caceres move has raised eyebrows amongst other teams in the league and has sparked an end of season review.  Caceres will be in the match day squad on Monday and fans should see young attacking midfielder in City colours for the first time.

City goes into the game needing a win to keep up with Western Sydney, Brisbane and Sydney and aim for that crucial top two position.

Prediction:  City 3 – Wellington 1

 

The Departed

David Williams – Played 152 A-League games, scoring 29 goals.  Williams played 101 games for Heart/City (Club record) and scored 21 goals.

Robi Koren – Played 26 games and scored 3 goals for the club. 

Stefan Mauk – Played 34 goals and scored 4 goals for the club.

The departure of Koren and Williams leaves Aaron Mooy as the only current player to have scored a hat trick with Melbourne City.

 

Lucky Number 12

12  Club record for most goals scored in a season by an individual.  Bruno Fornaroli currently holds this record with David Williams but will no doubt smash the record this season.

12 more goals than any other team in the league (37 so far this season)

12 wins from 12 games for our W-League team

12 goals in our last four home games

12 games remain in the season, can we finish top for the very first time?

12 You, the fan are our Number 12.  Over the next few months there will be more than enough opportunity for your support of the team in our best season to date.

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