In this second section of a two-part article, we look at the players Newcastle Jets, Perth Glory, Sydney FC, Wellington Phoenix and Western Sydney Wanderers need to target in the January transfer window.
In this second section of a two-part article, we look at the players Newcastle Jets, Perth Glory, Sydney FC, Wellington Phoenix and Western Sydney Wanderers need to target in the January transfer window.
Newcastle Jets
Transfer Target: Midfield general
Newcastle Jets have won just one of their past seven A-League matches, conceding over two goals per game in that period. While Josh Mitchell, Tiago Calvano and Connor Chapman are hardly the most impressive central defenders in Australia, the Jets’ problems stem from further up the pitch.
With Ben Kantarovski and Jobe Wheelhouse on the injured list, Newcastle coach Gary van Egmond needs to find a central midfielder, who can provide solidity in the midfield. Van Egmond has assembled some very exciting young players at the Jets but they are falling apart without a strong leader in the middle of the park. Ruben Zadkovich’s volatile character means he will never be the answer.
Van Egmond’s first priority in the January transfer window needs to be a box-to-box midfielder, who can lead his youngsters when their backs are against the wall.
Perth Glory
Transfer Target: Playmaker
Before this season Shane Smeltz had scored 52 goals in 79 A-League matches. After eight games for Perth Glory this season, the Kiwi striker has troubled the scorers on just two occasions. Unsurprisingly, Glory are the A-League’s lowest scorers with 14 goals in 13 matches.
While Ian Ferguson has put together a very solid line-up, his side lack creativity. Ryo Nagai’s maiden starting appearance in Perth’s 1-1 draw against Western Sydney on Thursday showed the young Japanese winger will add creativity to Ferguson’s side but it is not enough.
Liam Miller is often labelled Glory’s main playmaker but although the Irishman is skilful, he rarely provides the final defence-splitting pass. Ferguson needs to find a player similar to Gui Finkler or Tom Rogic to sit behind Smeltz and create scoring opportunities for Perth’s main weapon up front.
Sydney FC
Transfer Target: Screening midfielder
Terry McFlynn, Paul Reid and Peter Triantis have all played defensive midfield for Sydney FC this season as first Ian Crook and then Frank Farina have tried to improve the Sky Blues’ form. Farina moved to a diamond in midfield in Sydney’s shock 1-0 win over Central Coast, which begs the question, where will he play Jason Culina when the former Socceroo is fit again?
Culina has played as a deep-lying playmaker in a defensive midfield pairing so far but if Farina persists with the midfield diamond, it will require a player who can both defend and keep Sydney FC ticking along. The defensive aspects of that role will not suit Culina.
Either way, however, Farina would surely love a player like Erik Paartalu or Mark Milligan to anchor his midfield. Those two could either play at the base of a diamond alone or alongside Culina without any concerns, providing some real starch to the Sky Blues’ formation.
Wellington Phoenix
Transfer Target: Forward with x-factor
Paul Ifill has been brilliant for Wellington since he joined the Phoenix in 2009. The 33-year-old winger-cum-striker has scored 30 goals in 84 games for the New Zealand-based A-League club, while also chipping in with 17 assists. But after 11 games this season and another injury, this time to his ankle, which required surgery and will leave him on the sidelines until well into January, it is clear Ifill’s career is coming to a close.
While Ifill may very well continue to play a role this season, coach Ricki Herbert cannot afford to build his team around the former Barbadian international forward anymore. Wellington really need a forward who can play either out wide or in behind in-form striker Jeremy Brockie to provide some creativity and goals in equal measure. Simply put, the Phoenix need an attacker with x-factor.
Western Sydney Wanderers
Transfer Target: Fox in the box
It is the worst-kept secret in the A-League this season; Tony Popovic’s newly-built Western Sydney side struggle to score goals. Do not let the Wanderers’ 6-1 thumping of Adelaide United fool you; Popovic lacks a genuine goal-scorer.
Western Sydney have moved up to fourth without a top-quality striker, so imagine what they could achieve if they had signed Joel Griffiths ahead of Sydney FC. The Wanderers’ leading goal-scorer heading into Round 14 is Mark Bridge with five goals. But the 27-year-old’s record in the A-League of 35 goals in 141 games (or less than one every four matches) means Bridge is unlikely to continue his scoring form. Popovic should find and sign a striker who will make the most of Shinji Ono and Youssouf Hersi’s creative talents. It could lead to silverware in the Wanderers’ inaugural season.
