Australia NewsBlog: International Spots Up for Grabs |
SO, THE season is over. Even Mitch has admitted so.
The more philosophical Glory supporter, despite riding the all-too familiar 'we might still make it' rollercoaster that this 8-team league throws up, has known this to be an inevitable event.And so we must look forward. Unfortunately, events of the past 10 days have made me think the future is bleaker than I hoped it would be. In particular, I have been wondering over the Christmas period – what will come of two thirds of Trini-dadi-kita – the wonderful attacking trio, responsible for the best team goal from any A-League side this season, which we have seen far too rarely?
Trinidad's future at Glory must be in doubt. With the arrival of Fully Sick Sikora, who seems, on first impressions, classy enough to live up to his nickname, and the inconceivable starting of Nick Rizzo on the left-side of midfield, the tricky Argentine has found himself third in line for the position that he is most likely to play (not his best, of course) in the team – left midfield.
Possessing decent creative vision and that all-too-infrequent ability to beat a man by bamboozling, the unfortunate and, at times, unfair 'diving' controversies this season have overshadowed the reality of Trinidad's game – a hard-working player not afraid to take a decent kick to the shins or get back and lay a tenacious tackle.
Depending upon what happens with Mitchell's overseas recruiting for next season, we may not see very much more of Adriano at MES. Indeed, why should Mitch take up an international spot with someone he doesn't rate?
And then there's Eugene. The big Frenchman, or Ivorian or whatever the hell he is, has been constantly in the news since his arrival in Perth. And not without reason.
Dadi is precisely the type of larger than life personality that Glory have needed for years (since Bobby really) – recognisable, quality with a cool accent - a player that fans can adopt as a cult hero.
But his time at Glory has been tumultuous almost from the outset, suggesting that all has not been rosy between him and the gaffer.
Rumours of walkouts, being benched whilst being one of the league's top scorer, Mitchell's refusal to negotiate on a new deal with Dadi despite his desire to stay and then, finally, his complete omission from the match day squad against Central Coast.
After a week of the Glory boss calling the game at Bluetongue Stadium a 'win at all costs' encounter, what possible reasons could he have had for not including one of his most potent scoring weapons, at least in the squad?
Whether driven by a personality rift or otherwise, it seems that that reason will ensure the former Tranmere Rovers star will not be re-signed for 09/10. But don't despair Perth Glory fans. Perhaps we'll have the pleasure of watching him at Newcastle games?
And if these two are unlikely to be back, who will be the replacements? Bring them on.
So, to the Top 5. Whilst we ponder our club's recruiting future, it's at least good for the soul to remember that our A-League recruiting has never been better.
Mitch has, compared to his incompetent predecessors, excelled in this respect. There have been some absolutely shockers recruited to our squad in the past. Here are the Top 5 (players that is – I couldn't take up half the list with coaches):
5. Stan Lazaridis – a more unfortunate signing than poor. The Socceroo legend and probably greatest-ever WA footballing export returned to Perth with great expectations. Unfortunately, the balding ex-West Ham and Birmingham city man wouldn't even get to train with the team for most of his time at Glory, and parted ways in less than ideal circumstances.
4. James Robinson – the fact that this Englishman is number 4 rather than number 1 speaks volumes for the ineptitude of this list. Prediction for Robinson in the new year? A woeful time at Nth Queensland with his only bright spot being a hat-trick at Members Equity Stadium.
3. Mate Dragicevic – despite being named after an Australian term of affection, the Croatian just couldn't adjust to the game here. Or he was just complete rubbish.
2. Brian Deane – The fact that he was in his late 30s when he arrived at MES didn't help his cause. Nor did the fact that he was always a useless footballer.
1. Steve McMahon Jr – Familial preferences shouldn't even occur at under 8s level, so how it was allowed at the start of the A-League is completely beyond me. Does anyone else remember a quote from McMahon senior along the lines of "If I didn't think he was good enough for this level, I wouldn't be recruiting him." Still makes me laugh.
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