Brisbane Roar’s Caltex Socceroo striker Jamie Maclaren is set to explode into form in the Hyundai A-League, starting Friday night. Opta Data explain why.
If there was one fixture that could turn around Maclaren’s goal return it would be Friday night’s clash against Western Sydney Wanderers.
Last season’s NAB Young Footballer of the Year simply loves taking on the Wanderers in Roar colours, as we saw to stunning effect last season.
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Maclaren notched seven goals in just four meetings with Tony Popovic’s side, including five in three games at Wanderland.
|
Hyundai A-League 2015/16 |
||||
|
Player |
Team |
Opponent |
Goals |
Games |
|
Maclaren, Jamie |
Brisbane Roar FC |
Western Sydney Wanderers FC |
7 |
4 |
|
Castelen, Romeo |
Western Sydney Wanderers FC |
Brisbane Roar FC |
4 |
4 |
|
Fornaroli, Bruno |
Melbourne City FC |
Perth Glory |
4 |
4 |
|
Santalab, Brendon |
Western Sydney Wanderers FC |
Central Coast Mariners |
4 |
3 |
|
Trifunovic, Milos |
Newcastle Jets |
Melbourne City FC |
4 |
3 |
|
Castro, Diego |
Perth Glory |
Melbourne Victory |
4 |
3 |
|
Fornaroli, Bruno |
Melbourne City FC |
Sydney FC |
4 |
3 |
|
Powell, Blake |
Wellington Phoenix |
Western Sydney Wanderers FC |
4 |
2 |
Can he continue that trend in Harvey Norman Friday night football in the new surroundings of Spotless Stadium?
After finishing second in the golden boot standings last season (20 goals from just 25 games) much was expected of the 23-year-old attacker heading into the 2016/17 Season.
It’s been a slower start to this season by the Caltex Socceroo striker, with two goals from six appearances for Roar.
While that would appear a meagre return for someone as prolific as “Macca”, his issues in front of goal are not necessarily performance related.
Despite sitting third and losing just once all season, John Aloisi’s side has only scored seven goals so far this campaign. Only Wellington (five) have managed less.
But Maclaren is still Roar’s most potent attacking weapon.
His two goals and one assist means he has been involved in 42.9% of Roar’s goals, with only seven other players across the competition involved in more.
|
Hyundai A-League 2016/17 |
||||||
|
Player |
Team |
Goals |
Assists |
Goals Involved In |
Team Goals |
% of Team Goals |
|
Krishna, Roy |
Phoenix |
4 |
1 |
5 |
5 |
100.0% |
|
Rojas, Marco |
Victory |
4 |
4 |
8 |
14 |
57.1% |
|
O’Donovan, Roy |
Mariners |
3 |
1 |
4 |
7 |
57.1% |
|
Fornaroli, Bruno |
City |
6 |
0 |
6 |
12 |
50.0% |
|
Santalab, Brendon |
Wanderers |
4 |
0 |
4 |
8 |
50.0% |
|
Keogh, Andy |
Glory |
6 |
1 |
7 |
15 |
46.7% |
|
Nabbout, Andrew |
Jets |
1 |
3 |
4 |
9 |
44.4% |
|
Maclaren, Jamie |
Roar |
2 |
1 |
3 |
7 |
42.9% |
|
Berisha, Besart |
Victory |
4 |
2 |
6 |
14 |
42.9% |
|
Sergi Guardiola |
United |
3 |
0 |
3 |
7 |
42.9% |
And despite Roar’s apparent troubles going forward, Maclaren has still managed to get openings in front of goal, registering 11 shots on target in 2016/17.
Only Perth Glory star Andy Keogh, who has six goals to his name, has had more with 13 shots forcing a save from the opposition keeper.
