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Semester summary
It's difficult to be critical of the Brisbane Roar, their season thus far has helped set a new standard for the A-League. Many have touted the current Roar side as the best team the A-League has seen, and they're not far off. Their come from behind draw against the Melbourne Victory is testament to the clubs consistency and decision making ability, which has been evident not only on the pitch, but throughout the club. Their only loss, a 3 – 0 drubbing by the Victory, is a small blemish in what has been a clinical season to date. What's impressed me most about the Roar is their ability to bounce back, not only in the week-to-week grind but in their ability to have a teams measure even when behind.
Areas of excellence
The Brisbane Roar have one man to thank for their success; Ange Postecoglou. Arriving at the Roar mid last season following the sacking of Frank Farina, many thought his hard nose attitude wouldn't be tolerated by the Roar playing roster, and it wasn't. So, Ange cleaned out the closet, did away with much of the ageing driftwood and replaced it with a youthful, exuberant team that have the hunger for more than the mediocrity of recent seasons. I spoke earlier about their ability to reel teams in after letting them get away early in a match. What's most evident is the change in performance after half time - obviously fresh from a tune up from Postecoglou. And although I'm a firm believer that if speeches were necessary in sport, then Winston Churchill would have been a great coach, whatever Postecoglou is saying to his men is working. They're responding, which is the sign of the effect he has on these men.
Areas in need of improvement
Concentration. Once the season gets down to the nitty gritty, and sides begin peaking for the finals, the Roar must focus for the full 90 minutes. If they let teams score early, it's going to be difficult to bring them back.
Top students
Brisbane have unearthed some of the best talent so far this season. Thomas Broich, Ivan Franjic, Matt McKay and more recently Jean Carlos Solorzano have stood out as leaders in what has been a well-balanced side. Kosta Barbarouses and Massimo Murdocca have also featured heavily throughout the year.
Class clowns
It's tough to pinpoint any in particular. Farina deserves a mention, but his exit has shown the amount of tolerance the Roar are willing to accept. Perhaps their goal keeping coach, Fernando vaz Alves, deserves a mention for getting in the way of an angry Kevin Muscat. He and and the rest of the coaching staff in the A-League should know better.
Grade
A
Outlook
I'm tipping the Roar to win the comp. Their form has been exceptional of late, however I'm of the opinion that they'll need to lose a little form before they can gain any more. Postecoglou has done a terrific job so far - how he manages his sides form from now on in will test his metal as a coach.