WITH an already shallow talent pool of Australian players to choose from, we will have to find a few quality overseas players if we’re to have any chance of challenging for a top four spot.

I’m not saying the current crop of players we’re targeting are bad, but rather that they’re not going to set the A-League alight. The likes of Wayne Shroj, Chris Grossman and Ben Griffin are decent players but they are not the type of players that will get us to the finals (not that I’m expecting finals football in our first season). This is why first season success will likely rely on a few quality imports.

The chance of finding a quality overseas player will increase next season when a fifth overseas spot is introduced in the A-League, which will mean scouting will become more important than ever before.

Most of the imports that have been brought to Australian shores have now left, which means it’s pretty obvious that many mistakes have been made in regards to scouting, so here’s what I think we should avoid doing:

1. Signing players off DVDs.
Many of the imports that have now left Australian shores were signed from DVDs. As many of us know, YouTube highlights (and highlights put onto a DVD) can make anyone look like a star, it could make Reinaldo look like a natural goal scorer when in reality the only thing natural about Reinaldo is his ability to stuff up the easiest of chances.

2. Signing players based on nationality.
Ever since Ernie Merrick signed the ‘trio from Rio,’ the A-League has had an obsession with Brazilians. Many of these South Americans have now left Australia. It makes you wonder why they have been targeted when players from the likes of Asia and Africa can be just as gifted and can often be much more affordable.

3. Signing talented players for only a season.
When it is obvious a player is gifted, why not sign them to long-term contracts? As soon as a player starts performing in the A-League a bigger club will look to sign them. If the player is tied up to a long-term contract then the club has the choice of either selling them or keeping them.

So if the likes of Ian Ferguson and Don Matheson can learn from some of the mistakes other A-League clubs have made in the past, do the appropriate level of scouting and find a few stars from the likes of Asia, Africa and Brazil (if they’re good enough) than there’s nothing stopping us from a dream top four spot in our first season.

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According to the Townsville Bulletin Ian Ferguson is not chasing the signature of Nikolai Topor-Stanley.

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One player that Ian Ferguson is interested in signing is Perth Glory player Wayne Shroj.

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It appears the club is also after the signature of New Zealand international Jeremy Brockie who currently plays for Team Wellington.

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To wrap a growing list of potential signings we have Brendon Santalab, Mark Bosnich and Robbie Kruse.

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While last Thursday’s press conference did reveal the clubs official name and logo fans will have to wait until April next year to find out the club’s colours and jersey.

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You can find the NQ supporters forum at http://forums.northqldfc.com.au/