END OF PRE-SEASON UPDATE
Welcome to the end of the pre-season update. In this update, i will give you spot on screenshots of all our friendly results, with the results themselves, and the other showing our goalscorers. I will also show you our October fixtures in the A-League, which are quite tough and review some major transfers. Let's begin with the results of the friendlies, some of which you already know.
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So, i have to be honest, this is quite a horrible pre-season. We started things off with a lucky win over Sydney Olympic. We were a man up and still conceded 3 goals which was utterly disappointing. But we managed 5 goals, which was a plus. Then in a much better display, we took on Balmain SC and defeated them by 4 goals to 1, comfortably. Then i had what might have been the most boring draw in history, no highlights at all on the 'key' match setting, meaning no chances were created, and the game ending 0-0. This did make me happy in a way, knowing my defensive training was helping in not letting the opposition make any chances, but on the front end, we were poor.
Then we had a 2-2 draw against Bonnyrigg. This was unacceptable, teams like this we should be beating, so it's a worry in my opinion. Albeit beating Balmain 4-1, i feel that the 2-0 win away to Blacktown City was the best result of the pre-season, as we took a 2-0 lead in the first half, and no highlights were shown in the second, meaning the boys went in and maintained and controlled the half, not letting Blacktown come close to pulling one back.
Here are the goalscorers for our friendlies;
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The final game, i will get into detail later in a 'media' like update. But before that, let's preview the fixtures ahead, which is the start of the league campaign!
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So we kick the season off against the team who always performs well in the league, the Central Coast Mariners. In front of what i hope will be a strong 10+k crowd for the opener, we should do well, barring a collapse. Would be nice to pick up three points, but gee that will be tough against them. If we do pick all 3 up, i will be very happy! Then we move away to Adelaide in our first competitive fixture away from Wanderland. Our away form is going to be key in the league this season, as in the A-League, away form is always crucial to getting you higher up the ladder. Adelaide won't be easy beats, but if we can get a result i will be pleased.
Then, the first Sydney Derby! this will be huge!! I can't wait to see how the game reflects a derby. In real life, during these derbies, the RBB and The Cove always tend to throw a flare or two, i know the game has flared, will this derby count? i hope so! The game itself will be a tough one, albeit it being at home. I will for sure be looking for the three points, and this would be a huge confidence booster, that's for sure! Finally to end October, we take on the Brisbane Roar over there at Suncorp Stadium. The two time champions, and defending champions will be tough to beat, another result will be good over there, any kind to be honest.
For the month of October, 12 points are up for grabs. My realistic goal is 8 points, with two draws away from home, two wins at home. I feel that is achievable, any more than that i will be over the moon. Minimum 5 points is what i want for the month.
Now, onto transfers in the off-season. There were plenty, all FREE transfers, but i have highlighted only a few.
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Some of you may know this guy, some might not. He played for Sydney FC last season, but was released. He was quite effective up front, and now brings his talents to the Central Coast Mariners. That's some more firepower for us to worry about come day 1 of the season.
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David Carney, Socceroo, talented player. With Ivan Franjic already the right wing back for the Roar, Carney as left wing back will cause teams heaps of problems. Both men play the same way, and Franjic tears it up! Can you imagine both of them in the same time, on opposite flanks running at both sides of your defence? Great pickup by Brisbane!
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I'm sure alot of you know Harry Kewell. The Socceroo, the former Leeds and Liverpool star. He has joined the Perth Glory after a season with the Melbourne Victory. Harry is a good pickup. Perth are already a tough team to face, as with Wellington, they are one of the hardest away trips, as they are all the way in the West side of Australia, now with Harry, it's even harder!
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Ljubo, Ljubo, Ljubo. A-League fans, you will know this fella quite well. Formerly playing for the Newcastle Jets, until he moved on to Croatian Club, Hanjguk Split. He now will apply his trade for the Central Coast Mariners. He is a central defender, and i bet the Newcastle Jets boys cant wait to try and take him on!
I now leave you to the Fox Sports News crew with their sum up of the pre-season we had!
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Well it's been a tough pre-season for the new boys, the Western Sydney Wanderers. With two early wins, came multiple draws, another win and a horrible defeat. That defeat, at home to the Marconi Stallions has Majurovski wondering what to do come crunch time. It is the worst time to be defeated by that many goals (3-0). Losing like that must be putting some headaches in Majurovski's head, as the season is set to kickoff this weekend. He must have had tactics in mind, but now, he had a decision to make, stick with the same one that failed? or change things up in a risk that they could fail aswell?. Who knows, but we did speak to Majurovski following the match to see what he thought of the selection dilemma.
FoxSportsNews: "Nick, it's been a tough pre-season, and it just ended today. What are your thoughts on the entire pre-season?"
Majurovski: "I am not happy at all with how our pre-season went. The boys trained well, they were focused and committed, and we felt we had some strong tactics in place heading into the pre-season. The matches on the other hand were poor. Even when we won, we were poor, other than the Blacktown City match. Things need fixing, but it will take some time, as well know the squad only just came together months ago."
FoxSportsNews: "The Mariners, they will be tough Round 1 opponents, are the boys ready?"
Majurovski: "The boys will head into training tomorrow with a good attitude. They are a little down after the performance today, but im sure they will get there heads up and perform."
FoxSportsNews: "Tactics wise, will things be changing?"
Majurovski: "I will reveal that i did rest some players i had planned to start against the Mariners, as the fixtures in pre-season have been coming thick and fast. I do have a opening tactic in mind, but things might change come game day. When the team sheet is released, you will know what's happening."
FoxSportsNews: "Thankyou Nick."
Well with the pre-season complete, the season itself begins! I will go through the month of October, and i will return with a monthly update, just like this one, maybe a little more or a little less, depending on the situation. I don't know if you guys want media articles during the month, i can do that, but it will ruin the monthly surprise. Let me know! and Thanks again for the support!