WE'RE two rounds into the new A-League season, and some Perth fans are already calling for the head of coach Dave Mitchell. Two games, two losses, and all of a sudden there’s more knives out than in a Demtel commercial.
Certainly, Perth's much-vaunted defence is failing to keep a clean sheet in an ominous repeat of last year. But does that mean it is wholly the coach's fault? And even if Perth did pull the plug on Mitchell, who is going to replace him at such short notice? A lack of viable options within Australia would probably (hopefully?) necessitate a search for an overseas candidate. This in itself is a troublesome exercise; one best not undertaken two rounds into a new season. In any case, is there really a case for ditching Mitch in the first place?
Rewind to round one and the away game in Adelaide, where Glory went down 1-0 to a Travis Dodd penalty. Nobody can really argue that the penalty wasn't deserved; the referee didn't give what was a clear cut spot kick right at the beginning of the match, so to yours truly this was somewhat of an evener. The Wellington match on the weekend was even worse from a Glory point of view - so close, yet still so far. Victor Sikora put Perth ahead almost immediately, but a bullet free kick and a fluke deflection ensured that they didn't even get a deserved point late in the game. Still; that's football for you.
So after two matches Perth are sitting pretty on zero points, level with the likes of North Queensland Fury and Liverpool, and firmly rooted in the bottom echelons of the A-League table. However, they seem to be in pretty illustrious company. Melbourne Victory, last year's champions, are only a single point above; as are another strong team in Brisbane Roar. First round winners Adelaide are only a further two points above; ditto last week's conquerors Wellington Phoenix. Even the unstoppable juggernaut that is Gold Coast United is only two wins away at the top of the table. Is Perth stuck at the wrong end of the spectrum? Certainly. What does that mean, after round two of the Hyundai A-League? To be brutally honest - sweet F.A. Last year, Hull City were undefeated in the Premier League after two rounds. You get my drift?
Those people calling for David Mitchell's head after 180 minutes of competitive football should first ensure their own is in correct working order. Don't get me wrong - the man has plenty of rope with which to hang himself this year - but to call for his sacking a mere two games into the season suggests his critics are being a tad irrational.
The then-Queensland Roar only picked up two points from their first three games last season; yet they finished in third place and missed out on the title by two points. That season, there were only 21 rounds. This year, there's 27. To panic after two rounds is somewhat stupid; especially when they've both been away games. Melbourne Victory have played at home twice and only have a point to show for it, along with an injury to club icon and local butcher Kevin Muscat.
A far more valid argument would be that Perth haven't prepared for this season well enough. Whilst Gold Coast and Sydney have taken part in (very) well documented pre-season marathons, Glory's preparations have been more akin to running a 200m sprint. High-profile matches against Wolverhampton and Fulham wowed the crowds, but evidently took up valuable preparation time for the squad to get in shape for the coming season. Arguments can be made for the fitness of late arrivals Jelic, Todd, Coyne, Burns and Sterjovski, and injuries and sickness are part and parcel of the game; but the brutal truth is that it appears that the bulk of the squad needed another good month of match fitness under their collective belts.
It doesn't bode well when guys like Adriano Pellegrino, Eugene Dadi, and Victor Sikora appear to be sluggish and lacking in intensity, especially given that all three players were at the club last year. Again, injuries strike players and they all develop niggles- but you wouldn't play injured players... would you? The extra match sharpness could have been picked up in games against state league opposition, as so ruthlessly demonstrated by Shane Smeltz and co. at the good ship GCU. Maybe Miron Bleiberg wasn't lying when he said his players were only half trying when they beat Glory in Bunbury earlier this year?
In any case,I at least have faith that Glory will begin picking up points and slowly climb up the ladder. Of course, if there isn't any joy by the time round five rolls around, that would be cause for some concern. To my mind, Mitchell has about until round 10 to prove where he and the squad are at. If we're not there or thereabouts by that time, it might be time to activate plan B... whatever, or whoever, that is. Putting on my fantasy cap for a second, it would be great to get a technically-proficient European coach who takes Bobby D or Gareth Naven on as an assistant. Of course, taking the fantasy cap off and putting back on my purple eyepatch, I know that such measures won't be needed and that "Mitch" will take us comfortably to the finals.
Show Me The Way To Amaral, Oh...
The last week or so has seen intense speculation in Perth as to the return of last year's Brazilian import Amaral. For those of you who haven't had the pleasure of seeing the man in action, he's a clever midfielder with good vision and passing skills, but suffered injuries that saw him miss all but seven of Perth's games last year. Now supposedly fit again and ready to repay the club, he's paid his own way to Perth in a bid to get a nine game guest stint with Glory; even if they can afford to pay him very little in return.
My enduring memory of Amaral was a brilliant cross that he played for Eugene Dadi to score with a powerful header in a game against Newcastle last year. He knew exactly where "Big Dadi" was going to be, and lofted the ball in with a precision so often lacking in Glory attacking moves last year. If he returns - and if he stays fit - he'll be a priceless commodity for a midfield that has looked rather listless in the first two games this season. Could it be an omen that he may make his 2009 return against that same side?
I'm honestly not sure if either Adriano Pellegrino or Wayne Srhoj are 100% fit at the moment; and if they can't pick up intensity in training during the week I'd be tempted to drop one of them to the bench, if not both. Even if Amaral doesn't play, there are plenty of younger players such as Andrija Jukic and Howard Fondyke itching to have a go, whilst a move back to midfield and more time on the ball might suit Mile Sterjovski and encourage him to find his range in front of goal.
We also can't forget Todd Howarth, who looked very much at home sending in some dangerous crosses against the Phoenix. In any case, my own instincts would be to let the wings attack and run all day, while Burns and his partner hold up the middle and send in some through balls. But let's be honest - we're fans, what do we know?
Whoever does take the park against Newcastle this coming Sunday will know one thing; the crowd will be looking very much for a win, or at least some restored confidence and a good sign of things to come. Most people aren't hitting panic buttons yet; they have enough patience and common sense to wait for Glory to come good. But if the club is still in the same position a month from now and fans have to endure weeks of the old "we're still a chance at finals action" chestnut, the knives will well and truly be out
