Football Season Guide

Adelaide had mixed last season, they once again won the FFA Cup but then went on to miss out on the play-offs by a single point. However, the Reds were nowhere near the top 6 when Verbeek was sacked and Carl Veart took charge so even getting so close to the play-offs was considered a success and gave Veart the job permanently. Adelaide had very tough off-season so far though with no less than 5 regulars, amongst them key figures McGree and Opseth, leaving the club that collapsed in financial difficulties after the 2 main sponsors backed out. This meant that Veart had to rebuild with hardly any money to spend. He focused on signing mainly promising youngsters that he plans to develop, with the one major new arrival so far proven goalscorer Tomi Juric. His A-League record is very good and undoubtedly all the forward actions would be focused through Juric. Defensive line looks the strongest part of the squad right now, but on goal would be relying on an inexperienced youngster, as both newcomers Gauci and Delianov hardly have much playing time at this level and both are very young. Last season no less than 6 teenagers made senior debuts and Adelaide are known to have one of the strongest Academies in the country, so the same could be expected this season too. Also, now in their second years as professionals, the Toure brothers and speed-merchant Yengi could be having breakthrough campaign as they all showed plenty of promise under Veart back in June-July.