I fear that the 2010/11 season may be a long one for the North Queensland Fury.
The Townsville club, now in their sophomore year, have experienced an extremely interrupted pre-season which begun with the turmoil of the club finding themselves in financial difficulty.
That led to all player contracts being reviewed, a change of coach and a massive player turnover which is not an ideal preparation heading into a new season.
Another negative is the loss of crowd-magnet Robbie Fowler to Perth Glory. Will his departure cause crowds to drop at Dairy Farmers?
Regardless of that, the club is basically starting again this term and it looks as though they may slump to the bottom of the table.
Last season: 7th tribalfootball's Prediction: 11th
Arrivals: Adam Casey (Sydney FC), Brett Studman (Bankstown City Lions), Andre Kilian (FC Schalke 04 II, Germany), Simon Storey (Airdrie United FC, Scotland), Panny Nikas (Sutherland Sharks), Matthew Ham (Brisbane Roar), Isaka Cernak (Brisbane Roar), Chris Payne (Manly United),Mark Hughes (Walsall, England), Gareth Edds (Tranmere Rovers, England), Eric Akoto (OFI, Greece)
Departures: Robbie Fowler (Perth Glory), Jeremy Brockie (Newcastle Jets), Rostyn Griffiths (Central Coast Mariners), James Robinson (released), Paul Kohler (Sutherland Sharks), Terry Cooke (released), Fred Aguis (released), Jacob Timpano (Sydney United), Scott Wilson (released), Robbie Middleby (retired), Shane Steffanuto (Brisbane Roar), Chris Tadrosse (released), John Tambouras (Guangzhou FC, China), Beau Busch (Manly United), Karl Dodd (released), Paul Henderson (Sydney Olympic)
Biggest signing: Mark Hughes
Biggest loss: Robbie Fowler
Key men: Ufuk Talay, Dyron Daal, Mark Hughes, Justin Pasfield
Team list
Goalkeepers
Matthew Ham Justin Pasfield
Defenders
Eric Akoto Jack Hingert Mark Hughes Andre Kilian Brett Studman
Midfielders
Adam Casey Isaka Cernak Gareth Edds Chris Grossman Osama Malik Panny Nikas Jason Spagnuolo Simon Storey Ufuk Talay
Forwards
Dyron Daal Chris Payne David Williams
Coach
Franz Straka
