THE PRE-SEASON exploits of Adelaide United have, certainly from a national perspective, been overwhelmingly quiet. Firstly there was a 1-0 win against local Super League club Para Hills, who currently sit 8th on the table.

Next there was a 1-1 draw with another SA Super League club, Metrostars, who are 2nd on the table. Then it was a 4-1 win against Raiders, who currently sit 4th in the (you guessed it) SA Super League standings.

I think I'm detecting a pattern.

Continuing the trend of matching up against inferior opposition, next it was Perth Glory (any Glory fans want to take the bait?) that was put to the proverbial pre-season sword. A 1-0 win to the Reds.

The final two matches of this epic journey have seen a 3-2 loss to Fury up in Darwin and then a 4-0 win against a South Australian select team.

Clearly the Reds have had a different strategy to the A-League clubs who have pursued high profile friendlies against the likes of Fulham, Wolves, Celtic and a Singapore Olympic Selection team.

This begs the question, which path is the best one to take?

Guus Hiddink favoured the strategy of building teams up slowly. He'd arrange games against inferior opposition and allow his team to gain valuable confidence through meaningless wins. Maybe Aurelio Vidmar has learnt to drink from the same trough.

Perhaps it is simply Adelaide United's lack of financial resources that has contributed to such a non-eventful pre-season but I can't help feeling, from a marketing viewpoint, that the club might have missed out on an opportunity to gain some extra fans. That is of course assuming that if a big name club from overseas is brought out to play, that the local lads are at least competitive against them.

Losses in the magnitude of 3-0 and 5-0 may actually be more damaging that not playing the game at all. The Reds have not seriously been tested this pre-season but at the same time, unlike some other A-League clubs, they've not been humiliated either.

Still, on the balance of things, it would have been interesting to see the Reds match it with some high profile opposition, using as close to a full strength squad as possible. Therein may lay another problem, given the heavy injury toll that has beset the club already.

Anyway, the real stuff is almost upon us.

Oh yeah, one more thing, if next pre-season Viddie you need the number to contact the Singapore Olympic Selection team, just give Miron a call.