The second instalment of the A-League season reviews is here with second-bottom Brisbane Roar falling under the microscope. The Roar did not enjoy a successful 2009/10 season after playing in a Preliminary Final the season prior and fans will overall be disappointed with a poor showing from their team who were overshadowed by the two new Queensland clubs, North Queensland Fury and Gold Coast United, who both finished higher on the table than their more experienced neighbours.
Check back tomorrow for the analysis of 8th-placed Central Coast Mariners.
Finished: 9th Record: Wins - 8; Draws - 6; Losses - 13; Points - 30 Goals: 32 Against: 42 Top goalscorer: Sergio van Dijk (11)
What went wrong? Things didn't start very well for the Roar as they conceded six goals in the first two matches but they soon regained control and although they only lost two of their first seven, there was only three wins in their first thirteen. This so-so form did not really pick up and when coach Frank Farina was sacked after being caught drink-driving, the season was safely in turmoil. Enter Ange Postecoglou who came in, rid the club of key senior players who were at odds with his new regime but failed to get the results the club was after and they missed the finals for the first time in three seasons.
What went right? Not a whole lot. Probably the emergence of teenager Tommy Oar as Australia's 'next big thing'.
tribalfootball.com's Player of the Year: A tossup between striker Sergio van Dijk and Oar but with the A-League naming him as the NAB Young Footballer of the Year, he is the top pick.
Crowds: Home average - 8654. Biggest - 19,902 (Rd 1 vs. GCU). Lowest - 5801 (Rd 18 vs. AU) The fans wanted to stay away from Suncorp Stadium this season and the average of less than 9000 would have been seen as a loss by Roar officials. Poor results did not help and too often the punters preferred to simply not show up.
The coach: Frank Farina - oversaw a 3 wins, 3 draws and 4 losses record so you could say his influence was average. On the other hand, Ange Postecoglou led the club to 5 wins, 3 draws and 9 losses and they ended up worse than when they were in Farina's hands.
Surprises: Allowing so many key experienced men including Craig Moore, Danny Tiatto, Liam Reddy, Charlie Miller and Bob Malcolm leave the club during the season.
Disappointments: Not making the finals, the sacking of one coach and the departure of many players.
Where to from here? They will be hoping to hold onto youngster Oar (although they won't stand in his way if he gets an offer in Europe or elsewhere) and maintain their youthful playing squad but will need to replace van Dijk after he signed a short-term deal with Adelaide United and will likely move on next season.
