AND so this week we review the second half of our squad. The half that so often let us down this season. Every player in this list will be looking to improve greatly this season (if kept on), but let's see how they fared in 08/09.

THE BELOW AVERAGE:

Steve Corica

Controversial choice, but as far as I'm concerned, Corica failed to deliver for the bulk of the year. A cracking start to the year was followed by a slump that lasted many weeks. Charged with being Sydney's creative outlet, Corica often found himself cut out of games and lost in the middle, much to the side's detriment. For every decisive run or brilliant pass, this year there was a number of wrong choices and plenty of lost possession. I thought Kosmina was right to take him out of the first team when he did, and was right in declaring that he's no longer a 90 minute player. Should Corica (as expected) choose to play on next year and see out his contract, I can see him as an impact player at best.  A champion player whose time is coming to an end.

Mitchell Prentice

The signing that never should've happened, Mitchell was just plain boring this year, his biggest highlight a free-kick goal in pre-season. Offers precious little going forward in midfield, and had a short cameo at the back doing the same before injury saw his year cut short. Has finished the season playing Youth League, without standing out. Expect little next year.

Mark Bridge

I actually feel sorry for Bridge. He had his entire 07/08 season ruined by being played out wide at Newcastle so that Griffiths could play up front. He then came to Sydney to partner Brosque up front, only for the signing of Aloisi to force him out wide again. On one hand it's not his fault for playing there; on the other hand he didn't make a fist of it and was a passenger at almost all times. A brief return up front at year's end only showed small glimpses of form. Must do better next year.

Robbie Middleby

I love Robbie Middleby. Not many Sydney FC fans would say it, but I'll admit it. Having sat through four years of whinging players, crying about tactical changes and bench time, Robbie has always stood out. Having done it all at SFC (sat on the bench, not talked to a coach, won awards, changed positions), he's never once complained. He's had a poor year, constantly struggling at fullback, but despite it not being his favoured position he's never once whinged to the press. Fury have almost certainly made a mistake signing him as a player, but as a mentor and example to younger players he's just about perfect.

Clint Bolton

The story was that Clint Bolton was looking to get out of Sydney FC at the end of this season. That seems to have changed now with Kosmina's departure, but looking at him this year you could see why. Long gone was the Clint Bolton of old, fired up and passionate about each game. This season, a visibly different Bolton was rightly dropped from the first team after a series of blunders. When restored to the lineup, he managed to blow his chance again with some heinous errors. Finishing the season as deserved #2, the final year of his contract will be one of the biggest of his career.

Bobby Petta

A forgettable A-League stint with Adelaide topped up by a forgettable stint with us. Never should have been signed, but manages to keep his head above water at this level due to his assist that saw us win in Melbourne. Retirement beckons for "the tard scalper".

THE DOWNRIGHT AWFUL

Beau Busch

One good game does not a good player make. A cracking debut away v.s. Melbourne is now a distant memory - because every game since has been awful. Busch continuously showed us why Newcastle turned him down. Thanks for trying, but not up to scratch at this level. Not even close.

John Aloisi

Not much more that I can add that hasn't been said. Slow, lethargic, lazy, and just plain awful on the ball. Not only out of place in our team, but a shocking lack of commitment to improve himself for much of the year. God knows what the future holds here, the only upside is that at least it can't get much worse.

Iain Fyfe

My biggest disappointment of the year. Despite being attacked over the years, Fyfe was a more than serviceable defender when placed alongside a leader (Rudan, Popovic). When he signed for Adelaide, I felt Sydney had stupidly lost a good A-League level defender. That all changed when Poppa walked out on the team this year, Fyfe was charged with leading the defence - and failed dismally. Incapable of leading, constantly at fault for goals, and generally abysmal, I'm now not that sad to see him go. Matthew Jurman will step up from the youth side at a similar level when paired with a senior partner, whilst Fyfe will only benefit us if Adelaide ask him to lead their defence at all.

Simon Colosimo and Michael Enfield had seasons ruined by injury, whilst Adam Biddle and Nik Tsattalios spent all year in the youth squad so I'll cover them in that piece. All in all it's been an ordinary season for SFC, but as the changes role in under the new owners, we're left with at least some optimism for 09/10.

As for the other teams? For what it's worth I hope Adelaide win the title, but have a feeling it will be a Melb -v- QLD decider. May the best non-Victorian team win!