The Roar have faltered. It had to come. Squad stretched thin, everybody else picking up their game. A few defeats were inevitable. Granted, no one expected five on the bounce, but haven’t they’ve been getting stick for it?
Ange Postecoglou, hailed a genius for his man management and passing game, the man who coached his side to a 36 game undefeated run, is being roundly criticised for eh, not having enough tactical nous, or for insisting they continue to play a brand of football that has drawn much-needed attention to the sport in this country (other than for signing EPL past-its); a style of play which has arguably raised the standard across the competition. If he really is so singularly dimensional in his game strategy would he have gotten them through a Grand Final, toilet lid in hand, or onto eclipsing the Australian sports code undefeated record?
I like theRoar.com. I like it a lot. It’s smart, sharp and on the money. As Australian sports opinion and press go, it’s as comprehensive, entertaining and insightful as the ABC’s Offsiders. Maybe more so. I even agree with some of what Athas Zafiris has to say in his most recent article (above).
My response, as a local Brisbane Roar fan, is to say that this is the time for us to stand behind our team. The Brisbane Roar will come good. They will get better. They’re are a lot of good, young players there and room for a couple of signings.
My response, in terms of the code, is while the composer is only ever as good as the orchestra, Ange has been getting a rare tune out of his players for long enough that I think he deserves a wee break. The sports press in this country is too often quick to turn on perceived failure, I include theroar.com on this occasion. Performances over the season count, not just in the last few games. The boys have risen to the occasion more than once for the coach and they will do it again. Any football fan knows this.
In trying to rationalise your bewilderment Mr Zafiris, you may, like the Brisbane Roar strikers of late, have missed your target. I’m sure you’ll be firing them in before too long too.
