Yeah, IMO it's a stronger squad now than it was when we played Melbourne last August.
Absolutely!!
Defensively we should be as tight as - only potential risk is around Lia (ability to adapt to role and temperant to not get yellow carded). For not only this reason, but also because we have no obvious cover for Lochhead, I would like to see another wing back signed but no question with Durante, McCain and Dodd in the middle our defense will have the backbone and hardness it lacked last year.
In the midfield Bertos will do the job El**ch was signed to do - beat players and create goals for the strikers. Much as I enjoyed Filipe I think the addition of Gao and Bertos will mean we have a better balanced midfield. I also think Daniel will be a better player having had the benefit of a season to adjust to the A-league and having quicker players running off him should also give him the opportunity to demonstrate his passing abilities more than last season.
With Smeltz's ability to hold the ball and Kwasnik running off him we will also be more dangerous up front. Still exposed to a Smeltz injury - COVs is good but he doesn't have 90 minutes in him any more. I still think we need another striker to cover for Smeltz.
We also have good bench strength, Ricki more hands on, a great fitness coach ........
All in all I think we will be very competitive this season.
Roll on August 17.
good points mate, i think as far at right back goes, if lia fails we still have dodd to look at, and if he fails we have christie, who, after all the bemoanings, wasnt actually that bad, and would be a lot better with a solid central defence next to him. also cover for lochhead is daniel, he's played there before, and we have enough attacking mids to cover easily.
o and also, everyone is so keen on costa, if god forbid something happens to smeltz, play covs for 50-60 and bring on costa, problem solved