Eddie VukovicCentral Cost Mariners vs Melbourne Victory Round Five Preview
So now that Loogeygate is over with, we can all get on with the real business of A-League football. I was supposed to do a preview of last night's game between the Roar and the Jets, but due family comittments (the wife started screeching and screeching at me about not mowing the lawns) I couldn't. I guess it doesn't matter much now, what with Queensland doing their best to be the most frustratingly ineffectual home team in the world. Seriously, why do they even bother with playing at Suncorp anymore? It's be easier if they just gave the points to travelling sides and then went down the pub for a couple of quiet ones, a counter meal and some games of pool. But they'd probably be there all night as none of them could put the little balls into the holes.
But I digress. Let's talk about tonight's clash at the Bluetongue Stadium. Central Coast, much like last season's other grandfinalists, have had an indifferent start to the season, winning only once. Goals have been flowing reasonably regularly, but unfortunately for them, at both ends. The Mariners welcome back Nik Mrdija and Dylan McAllister from illness, but are still without a raft of players on the long term injury list, including Ahmad Elrich, Dean Heffernan and Andre Gumprecht, who I'm sure used to play guitar for the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Top of the table Melbourne are telling everyone that they've put the Ney Fabiano incident behind them.
and have strengthened their squad with Michael Thwaite and Juan Luiz Lopez returning from injury and internationa duty respectively.
Sadly, Loogeygate has dominated the press this week, detracting from Melbourne's stirling performance against the Reds at Telstra Dome. Merrick has so far been true to his word and allowed Victory to play some wonderful attacking football. It will be interesting to see how they reshuffle the pack, now that Ney Fabiano will contemplating his navel for the next 9 weeks. I have a feeling Celeski will move up the field and slot into the attacking foursome, while Lopez takes up his customary position at the heart of Melbourne's midfield. Ex Mariner, Pondeljak may will also get a chance to shine against his old side, as will Adrian Caceres for the Mariners. Caceres has a lot to prove, after electing to leave Melbourne, following contract negotiations.
Tussles between these sides in the past have usually been entertaining goal feasts, with the standouts being last season's New Year's Eve 5-2 drubbing at the Bluetongue Stadium
and the 9 man come from behind win at Telstra Dome the season before.
I predict another cracker of a match, with Melbourne winning 3-2.
But I digress. Let's talk about tonight's clash at the Bluetongue Stadium. Central Coast, much like last season's other grandfinalists, have had an indifferent start to the season, winning only once. Goals have been flowing reasonably regularly, but unfortunately for them, at both ends. The Mariners welcome back Nik Mrdija and Dylan McAllister from illness, but are still without a raft of players on the long term injury list, including Ahmad Elrich, Dean Heffernan and Andre Gumprecht, who I'm sure used to play guitar for the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Andre Gumprecht
Top of the table Melbourne are telling everyone that they've put the Ney Fabiano incident behind them.
Ney Fabiano and Robbie Cornthwaite
and have strengthened their squad with Michael Thwaite and Juan Luiz Lopez returning from injury and internationa duty respectively.
Sadly, Loogeygate has dominated the press this week, detracting from Melbourne's stirling performance against the Reds at Telstra Dome. Merrick has so far been true to his word and allowed Victory to play some wonderful attacking football. It will be interesting to see how they reshuffle the pack, now that Ney Fabiano will contemplating his navel for the next 9 weeks. I have a feeling Celeski will move up the field and slot into the attacking foursome, while Lopez takes up his customary position at the heart of Melbourne's midfield. Ex Mariner, Pondeljak may will also get a chance to shine against his old side, as will Adrian Caceres for the Mariners. Caceres has a lot to prove, after electing to leave Melbourne, following contract negotiations.
Tussles between these sides in the past have usually been entertaining goal feasts, with the standouts being last season's New Year's Eve 5-2 drubbing at the Bluetongue Stadium
and the 9 man come from behind win at Telstra Dome the season before.
I predict another cracker of a match, with Melbourne winning 3-2.
