‘I think they’ve peaked’: Questions asked of Roar as brakes pumped on title charge

Brisbane Roar’s status as a Ninja A-League title contender is no longer assured amid a form slump that has resulted in the Queenslanders falling from first to fourth on the table.

But what needs to change if the Roar are to get back to the form that saw them win six games from a possible seven between Rounds 2 and 8?

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Brisbane’s seesawing season and the potential causes for their inconsistency were up for debate on this week’s episode of Dub Zone, as A-Leagues commentator Teo Pellizzeri and Sydney FC legend Teresa Polias reacted to the Roar’s 3-2 loss to Adelaide United at home in Round 12 – a result that sent the Reds above the Roar into the top three.

Brisbane have now lost three of their last four games, having lost just twice through the first eight rounds of the season.

“I’m not sure what to say about Brisbane,” Polias said.

“I think they peaked. They certainly peaked earlier than a few other teams that are now hot on their tails. And two losses in a row, they’ve dropped down a bit.”

After eight rounds, Brisbane had firmed as a clear title contender having surged into second spot off the back of a 6-1 win over Newcastle Jets, and an 8-2 win over Western United. Goals were flowing freely for the Roar attack but they’ve since dried up, with Alex Smith’s side scoring just three goals in their last three games.

Analysing Brisbane’s recent woes, Pellizzeri pondered whether international recruit Evi Popadinova had done enough through her first nine appearances for the club to warrant a continued starting role in Brisbane’s attack; the Bulgarian striker scored in Round 1 but has failed to add to her tally since.

“They’re creating chances, but Eva Popadinova, for a foreign striker in this league, does not finish them,” Pellizzeri said.

“I’ve said this a couple of weeks in a row: it’s time to play Tanaye (Morris). It’s Tanaye time. If Grace Kuilamu, first year back from an ACL, is able to start most weeks, that’s great, but you can’t put too much pressure on a teenager.

“Tanaye Morris (is a) a few years older. I’m just thinking that the seniority here for the Brisbane Roar maybe is ruling over who’s actually taking the chances in training and who’s taking them out on the pitch.”

WEEKEND PREVIEW: What you need to know for Round 13 of the Ninja A-League

Popadinova has one goal from nine games this season.

Polias replied: “Well, she’s got that element of aggression out there, Popadinova, so perhaps, you know, they like her presence out on the pitch as well?”

Pellizzeri added: “It’s one thing to have the presence, but it’s another to actually put the ball in the back of the net, and it hasn’t happened now since Round 1.”

Brisbane travel to Perth to take on an out-of-form Perth Glory outfit in Round 13. Then, they host fifth-placed Wellington Phoenix before an away trip to Wanderers Football Park to play last-placed Western Sydney.

CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR TICKETS TO THE NINJA A-LEAGUE

WEEKEND PREVIEW: What you need to know for Round 13 of the Ninja A-League