I've just learned what NQ Fury's newest ad campaign will be. Imagine this, if you will: Lara Bingle, dressed in a light and dark green bikini, standing in the middle of Dairy Farmers Stadium, surrounded by 20 professional footballers. She looks around the circle of men and utters the immortal words, "So, who the bloody hell are you?"
Okay, so maybe not. But I think it's fair to say that many A-League fans will have next to no idea who some (read: many) of our newest signings are. I consider myself reasonably knowledgeable of the world game and I had no idea who they were. So for the benefit of all our fans, and to hopefully counter the many pundits who have already sent the wooden spoon to be engraved with our name, I am going to run through our squad, as it stands, for the upcoming season.
The Coach - František (Franz) Straka
Franz is probably the most important of our new imports, and brings with him a strong (if slightly underwhelming) record of coaching in Europe, including a stint with the Czech national team. Tactically he seems astute as he'd made all the right moves in pre-season matches thus far. All the players have only good things to say about him. We're hoping he turns out to be the new Vítezslav Lavicka and I'm confident he will do a great job for the club, and football in this region, this season.
Defence - Erik Akoto, Mark Hughes, Andre Kilian, Simon Storey, Brett Studman
Storey is the most recognisable of this group as a member of the all-conquering Melbourne Victory side a few years ago. He's a great age (28) and has had a few of tough football in Scotland under his belt, and will be a very important cog of the Fury defence this season.
Akoto arrived to little fanfare but his form in pre-season has been excellent. He looks like a machine at the back and is very comfortable on the ball and, at around 6'3", dominates in the air. He has the makings of being a cult hero up here in the north and will feature prominently for us this season.
Kilian is an intriguing signing. Many on this very website bagged his signing when he arrived, but he has a very good pedigree (I daresay no duds have captained the Schalke reserves) and is the right age to continue his development. He's been injured lately so I've not seen him in pre-season, but the coaching staff like him and I think he'll have an impact.
Next up is Studman, a man who unfortunately seems to have the words "backup" and "cover" tattooed on his forehead. By most accounts he has been a solid performer at state league level in NSW for a number of years since a stint with Newcastle a few years ago. Barring a run of injuries or suspension, I doubt we'll see much of Brett this season. Cool name though.
Perhaps the most exciting of all defensive signings is Mark Hughes. He's looked the goods in pre-season and seems a natural leader on the pitch. Has a good pedigree, coming through the Everton youth system, and impressed at Walsall before heading here. Hughes and Akoto have the makings of a very solid defensive partnership, and I have no doubts that we will not be anywhere near as porous as we were last season.
Midfield - Gareth Edds, Adam Casey, Panni Nikas, Isaka Cernak
I have to admit I was a little concerned when we signed Adam Casey. His record at A-League level stood at 21 games for 2 goals in five years, and I was worried a stint at the NZ Knights may have damaged his stocks forever. He has looked great in pre-season though, looking very threatening off the bench and has scored two fantastic long-range goals as well. May not start but will be an important impact player.
Nikas comes to NQ as the newly-crowned NYL Player of the Season, only to be unceremoniously dumped by Arnie. From what I've seen he's very comfortable on the ball, and most CCM fans who've seen him point out his prowess coming forward. Again may not start a lot (for now) but has looked neat in pre-season and will add depth to our roster - certainly looks a better bet than the likes of Fred Agius though (sorry Fred).
Cernak has had a role in the starting lineup in pre-season, which makes me think the coaching staff like him a lot. And, as Cristiano Ronald says, "so do I". He's looked menacing on the wing and likes to drift infield and create problems. Also busts his gut for the team, and I reckon he'll do a good job this season.
Cue the welcome to the very versatile Gareth Edds, our new vice-captain. Franz has deployed him in midfield in pre-season and he's looked comfortable though and, like Hughes, seems a natural leader. Has had a long spell in England and looks a very polished player, and we know we'll be getting maximum effort from him as he's stated that a Socceroos call-up is on his agenda (and if Paul Reid could do it, then why not?).
Forwards - Chris Payne, Eugene Sseppuya
Payne is perhaps most (in)famous for scoring a goal with his arm - not bad as two other players who share this trait, Luis Suarez and a certain Diego Armando Maradona, are pretty handy footballers in their own regard too. Franz has trusted Chris with plenty of game time in the pre-season and he certainly has pace to burn. He's also found the net on a few occasions, and rival defences will not relish him and Super David Williams running at them.
Last is our newest recruit, the only footballer I know from Uganda, in Eugene Sseppuya. Since his signing was announced he has attracted derision from many on this website, but I am going to reserve judgement until I've seen him play. He won't be on megabucks, seems to have a reasonable scoring record, and is likely here as cover. Let's see what he can do first.
Summing up
Although they're not household names, the signs are looking good that Fury have recruited pretty well. The club has stated that they want to fill the remaining 2-3 squad places with local talent, and there are a few good ones out there who could learn a lot playing professionally and offer depth to the squad.
So Fury fans and detractors alike, let's see how our news boys go before we write them off. After all, how many of you had heard of Cassio, Carlos Hernandez, Sergio van Dijk, or Robbie Fowler before they came to the A-League? Exactly.
