WestSydneyFootball.Com Season 2012/13 A-League Team Preview – Melbourne Heart

The Melbourne Heart are through the initial 'grace period'. They are now entering their third season and being a new club is no longer something they or their supporters can use as an excuse. They replaced charismatic Dutch manager John Van't Schip with Australian footballing legend John Aloisi, who was promoted to the first team from his previous position as the youth coach. This decision alienated the more experienced Ante Milicic. After a short delay Milicic left the club to join the Wanderers as Assistant Manager.

Last season for Heart was what in other leagues would be termed 'mid table obscurity'. 9 wins. 10 draws. 8 losses. A +1 Goal Difference. The main positive in the league season was their good performances in the Melbourne Derby. Two 0-0 victories and a 3-2 win gave them seasonal bragging rights over the Victory. They could have finished higher up the table but four score-draws in their last four games left them clinging on for 6^th position. In most leagues around the world a mid-table position would leave them without anything to play for but in the A-League it meant they entered the final series. 3^Rd placed Perth Glory took no mercy on the red side of Melbourne with a Shane Smelt hat-trick ending their finals campaign.

The Heart management oversaw a major clean out in the post-season. Dutchman Rutger Worm, set piece specialist Kristian Sarkies, Brazilians Maycon and Alex Terra, Kamal Ibrahim, Kliment Taseski, Nikola Roganovic, Adrian Zahra, Craig Goodwin and Wayne Srhoj all left the club.

Star striker Eli Babalj was sold to Red Star Belgrade of Serbia for a reported $430,000 transfer fee, Curtis Good was sold to Newcastle United of England for $600,000. Brendan Hamill was sold to Seongnam Ilhwa of South Korea for an undisclosed fee that would surely have been in a similar price range to the other two outgoing transfers.

To replace the losses Heart have brought in Andrew Redmayne as backup to Clint Bolton, Liberian Patrick Gerhardt, Golgol Mehbrahtu from Gold Coast United, Steven Gray of Ireland from the Oakleigh Cannons, Croatian Josip Tadic, journeyman target man Dylan Macallister as well as David Vrankovic from Bonnyrigg White Eagles.

Under John Van't Schip the Heart played an attractive attacking style of football which had elements of possession based play. John Aloisi is said to have used similar methodology in the youth setup and it is likely he will bring the same style to the first team.

Their pre-season form was good against the lower league teams, but against other A-League opposition they were found wanting. Adelaide United defeated them 2-1 in Melbourne, and they failed to score a goal against the Wanderers in Lismore.

Heart faced a hard test in their first 5 rounds. Their immediate concern will be the first round Melbourne Derby against the Victory. They have a home game against Wellington followed by a trip to Perth. They play the Mariners again at home and their 5^th round encounter is against the Western Sydney Wanderers. There is a clear potential for the Heart not to pick up a single win given their pre-season form against A-League teams and this could send them spiralling down the table.

John Aloisi has a very tough task on his hands. It is his first ever senior managerial role, his club have sold or released several of their key players and have brought in journeymen players which at a glance look to lack that touch of quality. If Aloisi is found wanting as a manager then it his the club that will suffer on the pitch. Heart have a bumpy road ahead of them, and they will do very well to make the finals once again. The club and supporters will expect that to happen but I do not believe they have enough quality on the pitch. If Fred becomes injured for a length of time their chances of a final series will drop dramatically.

I predict that Melbourne Heart will finish the season in 10th position.

1. Perth Glory
   
2. Central Coast Mariners
   
3. Brisbane Roar
   
4. Melbourne Victory
   
5. Wellington Phoenix
   
6. Sydney FC
   
7. Western Sydney Wanderers
   
8. Newcastle Jets
   
9. Adelaide United
   
10. Melbourne Heart