The Big Five Answers | Round 11

Well we were right about one thing – and that was it would be hard for the Jets to focus in the wake of all the goings on in the media with Nathan Tinkler.

Well we were right about one thing – and that was it would be hard for the Jets to focus in the wake of all the goings on in the media with Nathan Tinkler. But what are the other answers to the big questions posed in Round 11?

Central Coast Mariners v Melbourne Heart: Can anyone stop McBreen magic?
Danny McBreen just couldn-t get the rabbit out of his hat against the Heart but that didn-t stop another Mariner pulling off a couple of tricks. Pedj Bojic might just owe Heart keeper Clint Bolton a couple of beers for his brace. McBreen had his chances – as did a number of other Mariners – but just couldn-t finish them off.

Not that Central Coast didn-t completely boss the Heart. It wasn-t a bad performance from Melbourne, who looked pretty solid, but the visitors were unable to break down the Premiers- defence, and were too often undone by their quick transitions and movement on the flanks.

If they continue in this form, it won-t be long until McBreen gets that “contract goal” and the rest of the league might just get out of breath trying to keep up with Graham Arnold-s side, who are starting to set a relentless pace at the top of the table. Melbourne Heart certainly found themselves short of puff when it counted.

Perth Glory v Newcastle Jets: Can the Jets focus?
Short answer, no. Travis Dodd was given too much space for both of his goals and individual errors cost Newcastle the game.

What-s happened to Gary van Egmond-s side after all the verve and brio they displayed in the early part of the season?

That initial confidence seems to have collapsed into varying degrees of disorganisation. Each game different players seem to stand out – sometimes Griffiths, Virgili, Zadkovic or Goodwin – but there-s no consistency or coherence from the team as a whole, and it looks set to cost them a spot in the finals.

Glory, on the other hand, looked to have worked through a mid-season slump. They-re not quite there yet but the signs are promising that Ian Ferguson-s side, with all their options in midfield and dictated by Liam Miller, should at least make the finals again this season.

Melbourne Victory v Brisbane Roar: Who will win the battle of the coaches?
As it turned out neither would, both of them had to be satisfied with a draw, and while Rado Vidosic would have been the more excited of the two with the point, it was Ange Postecoglou-s Victory side who were the better of the two. They were simply unable to make the most of their opportunities, thanks in no small part to the form of Michael Theo in the Brisbane goal.

While the Roar were scrappy the Victory were stylish, but style only gets you so far and a point against the Roar isn-t enough if the Victory truly want to be title contenders

Sydney FC v Wanderers FC: Who can get two in a row?
The Wanderers did it in emphatic fashion. Not only did Tony Popovic-s men get the three points and their first win over their cross-town rivals, but they did it by taking the game to Sydney FC.

This was not your standard Wanderers performance of defensive grit and toil; they were actually the better attacking side and were inspired by a scintillating performance from Shinji Ono.

“Tensai” cut the Sky Blues to pieces through the middle and Brett Emerton and his cohorts simply had no answer for it.

The Sky Blues looked impotent in attack, even if their defence was reasonably solid for a change, it was not a performance Frank Farina would have been happy with.

Adelaide United v Wellington Phoeonix: Will the Phoenix pay for inviting Adelaide in?
A resounding yes; they were made to pay early and often as Marcelo Carrusca, Dario Vidosic, Bruce Djite and Fabio Ferreira ran roughshod over a Nix defence that was uncharacteristically brittle.

There was no excuse for the poor defending that left Mark Paston unsighted on the first goal and while the second was a result of the keeper not watching his near post closely enough the third saw Ferreira stroll in unmarked.

Adelaide took their foot off the pedal in the second stanza but still had enough in the tank to get the three points, but it-s something they will have to watch in coming weeks.

John Kosmina would not have been happy with the last 45, while Ricki Herbert probawas happy with the second stanza he wasn’t happy with the defensive lapses that led to goals, but in truth what he really needs is Paul Ifill to find his best form and fast.