Throwing more imports at it is not the answer I agree (huge cheers all around) mainly because ACFC can't afford the kind of imports that would make a big difference. I have also long championed developing NZ players, both in the ASBP and at the Phoenix. I think the best 'import' ACFC has done in the past five years was bringing Ivan Vicelich back from Holland. I like Tade and Corrales and am pleased Tade will be back for the Dragon game. They aren't really imports as such because ACFC got them from TW. Likewise Bale was at Waitakere before coming to City. Exposito was a classy striker when he first arrived because he wanted to revive his professional career through the CWC and when that never happened he's faded. Gustavo is clearly a good striker and as you point out Berlanga was a good find. Riera is also a battler, like Dickinson. But I think NZ players like Thomas, Morgan, McGeoge could have been groomed to fill those roles. Hopefully the title winning ACFC youth squad will provide some good young NZ talent for the future.
I'm not sure about the top of the tree comment. ACFC have won silverware every season since 2008. For the club it's the O League that's the most important, not least for financial reasons. To that end they've somewhat allowed Waitakere to dominate the ASBP final for the last three years, except ACFC did finish minor premiership champions in 2011/12 which really is the true test as the actual final is a one off. The club primarily gears itself for the O League while Waitakere seems to now focus on domestic honours. The results seem to reflect that.
Exposito: I have always said that he is not as gun as people think he is. I'm not saying that in a 'I told you so manner' because he did start off well in the league but then faded and as you rightly point out, after the CWC when he did not fire on the big stage, well that was really the end of any idea of kicking on. Gustavo I have only seen once (he reminds me of Nelsen such is his look) so I can't be objective on him really. I really do rate Berlanga and I think he is the big difference. He was a complete rock at the back and since he has left, things have not been as smooth. I think Berlanga would have to be one of the best imports I have seen in this incarnation of this league.
I guess my top of the tree comment was more around that each year, ACFC have pretty much been a sure thing. Yes they have not won the Premiership and I can accept that its not their focus but come O League, its was money time and always fired. This year, they look a yard off the pace and have picked up a couple of losses. Thats just an observation. Whether thats because of a long season or whatever, I don't know. I think Mont Dore picking up a draw was a real surprise to everyone and it does make it easier on this weekends game for them to succeed in getting through.
In regards to the other players. I think Corrales took a good season or two to fit in and it was obvious that he was a ball at feet player where as the ACFC style is a quick pass and move game. When he did click, he looked dangerous. I still think that Tade is a 20 min footballer ala Solskjaer. Bale has been the player of the season for you guys because he turned from being a thug into a solid 90 min footballer and whether thats because of the ACFC system or because the switched was flicked in his head, I have no idea. I still have zero time for Dickinson and Riera, I can take or leave.
Before I forget, McGeorge left for TW, why? Fenerdis starts most of the Premiership and now can't get a run, why? Morgan, Coombes and Mulligan move on, why? These are some interesting questions. What happened to the young Carmichael boy? He has talent. Arms looks a year too soon and Milne is transplanted at LB but gets a start only when that useless Japanese boy is not playing. When you look at these players, there is a backbone of a good NZ team that I suspect would do the job. So why are they not getting used or what have they moved on? Adam Thomas is a CB for me and I don't think he will kick on until he gets a coach that sticks him there and leaves him there. I think he would seriously kick on if he was played in that role. Thats is a different Declan trainwreck story....