Our editors run through the big issues for all the matches in Round Two of Hyundai A-League action.
Every week we will ask five questions before the action kicks off and find out the answers on Monday morning. So what are the big stories for Round 2 of the Hyundai A-League?
1. Will the Wanderers suffer?
You often hear about second year syndrome, where a player can-t follow up an amazing debut season, but what about second week syndrome for Tony Popovic-s men?
The fanfare of their initial home game and all the hype helped the new boys pump themselves up for their historic opening game – but all that-s behind them and now they make the tough trip to Adelaide to face a high-flying Reds outfit.
Add to that the fact United are way ahead in their season preparations, thanks to their participation in the ACL and that the Wanderers have had little time together, it might be a case of being between a rock and a hard place.
2. Which marquee will matter?
Neither Alessandro Del Piero nor Emile Heskey had the Hyundai A-League debuts everyone wanted to see, and this week all the talk has been about the problems both Sydney and Newcastle had bringing their star men into the game.
Who will bounce back quicker? Which player will grab the game by the throat? Can their teammates adapt?
The latter being the big question. In Sydney ADP said his teammates need to run smarter, while in the Hunter everyone is saying Heskey needs better service; this game comes down to which of their respective teammates adapt better and quickest.
3. Who has the brains?
Thomas Broich fired an early and somewhat uncustomary salvo at former boss Ange Postecoglou suggesting new Roar coach Rado Vidosic was the brains behind Brisbane all the while and that they had a few “surprises” in store for the Victory.
Surely Postecoglou will also have some surprises in store for the Roar. After all he coached all bar Ben Halloran and Dong-Hyun Do when he was at the club and knows what to expect from each Roar player.
It-s going to be a game of mental chess, the question is who will win it? Master Ange or apprentice Rado?
4. Strength or speed, which is better?
After struggling to dominate the Wanderers last weekend, the Mariners might come up against a similar problem on home turf in Round 2. Graham Arnold-s athletic and organised side have to cope with a physical and attacking Perth Glory, who proved against Brisbane that they remain serious challengers.
Will Arnold-s side be muscled out of this fixture, with the likes of Rogic and Ibini going up against Thwaite and Van den Brink, or will their consistent and systematic approach play unlock Glory-s defence.
The contrasting styles make for a fascinating match-up.
5. Can the youngsters step up?
It-s no secret that the Nix are short on troops and experience as the All Whites take half of their squad, but what might be being overlooked is that they will also be missing master tactician Ricki Herbert, which means Chris Greenacre will be at the helm for the first time.
Question is, can he get the best out of the Nix- youngsters and find a result?
As for the Heart the question has to be how will they play the Nix and can they keep up the energetic pressing game they played against Victory, and even if they do, will it work against a team more settled in its approach than Postecoglou-s new-look Victory, and more willing to match their physical style?
