WestSydneyFootball.Com Season 2012/13 A-League Team Preview – Sydney FC

In 2011/12 Sydney FC's season was a relative failure. Expectations were to go deep into the final series after a top 2 league finish. Under Vitezslav Lavicka they languished in mid-table for the entire year, unable to overcome the workmanlike consistency of the Central Coast Mariners, the exciting attacking football of Brisbane or the tactically astute and star filled Perth Glory team. They finished in 5^th placed and were sent packing from the final series by an 86^th minute penalty to Paul Ifill of Wellington.

Vitezslav Lavicka was replaced by Englishman Ian Crook, promoted from his youth team manager position. Sydney have one of the largest transfer listings in the league. Leaving the club were Liam Reddy, Jamie Coyne, Michael Beauchamp, Hirofumi Moriyasu, Karol Kisel, Bruno Cazarine, Shannon Cole, Juho Makela, Mark Bridge and Scott Jamieson. Several of those players moving to local rivals Western Sydney Wanderers.

Two major pieces of news came out of the club, with Nick Carle moving on a high paid loan move to Baniyas of the UAE. This left them with a gaping hole in their attacking, as well as the desire for a marquee. After short speculation on a potential marquee, the club paid several million dollars for Alessandro Del Piero to join the resurrected 'Bling FC'.

Sydney FC have scored a goal off the pitch with the capture of De Piero. At 37 years of age many have questioned his ability to perform in the very fast paced and physical A-League. It also puts major pressure on new manager Crook to perform and win games. If Crook fails to take advantage of Del Piero or get Sydney back in the top 4 then the newly found Bling FC fans will start calling for his head. The board themselves are unlikely to tolerate any failure with such a massive and expensive signing with a worldwide following.

The early season for Sydney FC is not travel intensive. They play Wellington in Wellington as their first match, a very winnable game for both teams looking to score points on their likely finals position rivals. They play Newcastle at home, a game that looks like a victory for Sydney FC, and they will need to impress the bandwagon fans coming to see Del Piero playing for the first time. The first ever Sydney Derby is their 3^rd game of the season. By this match the pre-season cobwebs should well and truly have been shaken off and this will go a long way to showing the rest of the league what Sydney FC will do this season. They have a tough home match against Perth Glory in week 4. With an emotionally draining Derby just past it will take steel and nerve to hold off one of the best teams in the league. Their 5^th game of the season is travelling the short distance to Gosford to play the Mariners.

Sydney FC have assembled an average squad, with a marquee player of significant age. The loss of Nick Carle will be crucial. Terry Antonis has his chance to put a stamp on the competition this season and to earn a move overseas if he can provide quality service to Del Piero and Emerton. Defensively Sydney FC should do enough to fight for a top 6 finish but there will be heapings of pressure on the squad and Crook should they start the season badly.

I predict that Sydney FC will finish the season in 6th 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