Football Season Guide

Coach Aloisi tried to refresh the oldest squad in the A-League over the summer, several veterans departed, but still Roar remain the team with highest average age in the competition and also the gaffer hasn’t shown ability to improve and mix the displays or the formations very well in the last few campaigns. Roar lost two full-backs this transfer window, while their only new arrival in these positions was the inexperienced Nigro and it is obvious that the Tangerines are very short on options for the wide defensive positions. The team’s main incoming transfer was striker Taggart, who will definitely be the main figure in attack, but after missing more than half of last season due to two different injuries (knee and hamstring) he is far from certain to stay fit all campaign now and Roar don’t have quality cover options in attack. The health of numerous other players in the squad was an issue last term, with veterans Holman, McKay and Kristensen unlikely to remain fit all campaign as they haven’t managed to do so for several years now. Just like last term a lengthy injury list could spell problems as the campaign progresses. Newcomers Mauk and Lopez are fresh alternatives for the heart of the midfield, youngster Akbari could also be getting much more playing time this season. In the wide attacking positions all 4 options are veterans, none of them is younger than 32, while in stark contrast only one of the full-backs is older than 21. With this in mind Aloisi might try something different and several times in pre-season wingers Ben Khalfallah and Bautheac were tested as full-backs. This hardly brought any success though, but it comes to show that Roar struggle for balance in their squad.