SYDNEY FC 2011/12 Season Preview

After a disappointing season last year Sydney FC desperately need to make the top six again. New CEO Dirk Melton is slowly changing his club's fortunes off the field, but on the field it could be more of the same. That said new marquee signing Brett Emerton is tipped to be the Sky Blue's salvation and the weight will be heavily on his shoulders throughout the season.

Last Season
9th.

Credit: Kristy Beck

They'll Win The League Because...
...of their midfield. The experience Emerton, Nick Carle, and Karol Kisel bring is such that if these players are able to link together well they will be unstoppable. Whilst Kisel is currently injured and unlikely to make the first round of the Hyundai A-League, the key is for playmaker Nick Carle to use Emerton's width and take advantage of his technical ability.

If the preseason is indicative of the 2011/12 campaign ahead, coach Vitezslav Lavicka will be more confident using youth. Terry Antonis and Dimitri Petratos will both push for starting berths whilst Joel Chianese will look to make an impact from the bench. This should increase competition for places and therefore provide impetus for established starting players to perform.

They'll Be Cellar Dwellers Because...
...their preseason has been uninspiring. Sydney haven't won a game in three outings, their last being one month ago against Bankstown City Lions who finished second last in this year's NSW Premier League. When Sydney FC last won the Hyundai A-League in 2009/2010 they were undefeated throughout their preseason campaign.

Since last year's jump in quality, spearheaded by Brisbane Roar and the Central Coast Mariners, teams across the league are looking to step it up a notch. It is not yet clear whether the Sky Blues have managed to do so and one player (Emerton) will not be enough. Emerton has stated himself that he cannot be expected to perform well week in week out and so team performances will be key. Defense could be their downfall.

Talk Around The Watercooler... Look smart in front of your colleagues with this valuable piece of information.
In season one of the Hyundai A-League, Sydney FC signed American youngster Alejandro Salazar. You might not remember the name because the foundation player was released before the season even began. Salazar is son to marathon runner Alberto Salazar, who won the New York City Marathon on several occasions.

The Extended Off-Season Brought...
...a sense of stability to the club. With new CEO Dirk Melton at the helm the outlook is beginning to look bright for Sydney FC. Melton has made all the right noises and is now backing those up with the right movements to boot. Sydney should be one of the more stable clubs in the competition yet constant changes in the backroom staff as well as a multitude of further off-field issues have hindered the club's development. If Melton can continue on the path he is currently treading the Sky Blues will have a ten thousand strong membership base in two-three years.

The off-season also saw the highly publicised return home of Socceroo Brett Emerton. Sydney-born Emerton played three seasons in the Dutch Eredivisie for Feyenoord before making almost 250 appearances for English Premier League side Blackburn Rovers. Still at the peak of his career hopes are high that he will transform Sydney into a premiership winning side once again.

Key Player...
Terry McFlynn - While all the talk has been on Brett Emerton, the real key player is captain Terry McFlynn. Lavicka has shown faith in Sydney's most loyal clubman and McFlynn now needs to justify his captaincy. From his central defensive midfield role McFlynn is instrumental in leading the way for teammates young and old. Key to his impact will be his aggression on the field however he is all too often overcome by emotion. If McFlynn can temper the wayward tackles and outbursts his aggression will instead be channeled into winning matches and helping Sydney FC reclaim top honours.

One To Watch...
Terry Antonis - After signing with Everton, changes to FIFA rules meant he could not follow through with the transfer. Signing with Sydney FC last year Antonis succumbed to injury, subsequently condemned to the sidelines for much of last season. So far in preseason he has been covering for Karol Kisel and this could continue into Round One. Expect valuable contributions from Antonis throughout the season.

Full Squad List
1. Liam REDDY, 2. Sebastian RYALL, 3. Jamie COYNE, 4. Pascal BOSSCHAART, 5. Michael BEAUCHAMP, 6. Hirofumi MORIYASU, 7. Brett EMERTON, 8. Karol KISEL, 9. Bruno CAZARINE, 10. Nick CARLE, 11. Dimi PETRATOS, 12. Shannon COLE, 16. Joel CHIANESE, 15. Terry McFLYNN (c), 17. Terry ANTONIS, 18. Juho MAKELA, 19. Mark BRIDGE, 20. Ivan NECEVSKI, 21. Scott JAMIESON, 22. Nathan SHERLOCK, 23. Rhyan GRANT.