Quote Originally Posted by halo se7en View Post
The gap isn't widening at all this season.

We like to ignore our unknown signing in Brown, but highlight how much both Melbourne clubs have strengthened, despite what they've lost, or because of marquees/visa spots they haven't even signed yet. Most of the players are being recycled around the clubs, so how can the overall gap be widening?

Mariners - brought in some experienced players, but none of which are anything more than the same a-league plodders we end up with. I do expect them to be better, but I expect us to still finish higher.
Nix - Barbarouses and Finkler will help, but they've lost Sigmund, Muscat & Riera. May score a few more but let in a few more? They're notoriously inconsistent. These two signings don't automatically elevate them into finals contention.
Adelaide - just to replace what they've lost will be fantastic work on their part.
Melbourne City - replacing Mooy will take a lot, and who's to say whether the new player(s) will link up Fornaroli just as well? Who's to say he'll have another great season? They've also lost Wilkinson, Novillo, Zullo... they seem to replace like with like and it's a coin toss as to who will shine and who won't. They certainly aren't any further ahead of us this season then last.
WSW - brought in Lustica, the Uruguyan, the Japanese due, and Cornflakes. They've lost Castelen, Andreu, Alberto, Bridge, Vidosic. Same as City, are they really any stronger than last season? Possibly, but I don't expect them to make the GF this season.
Brisbane - they've lost Corona, Donachie and Henrique. Broich is another year older and even last year he looked slow and was unable to put his stamp on games. So far they've signed the world-beater that is Jacob Pepper.
Sydney - one of the few who genuinely seem stronger... but it's Sydney. They'll collapse when it matters.
Perth - I think Perth will build on last season and genuinely challenge.

Plus a big factor that will help us immensely this coming season.... Ben Williams just retired.
Can't possibly agree with that sorry. I always over estimate our chances but there is nothing that tells me we can improve on last year.

The gap is widening because all of the teams immediately around us, Gypos/Nix/SFC have all improved whilst we arguably gone backwards. I would agree that both Roar, Adelaide and Wanderers are all weakened not to our level. And all have plenty of recruitment to come where we don't.

Maybe next years recruitment will be better after a full season under new ownership, but I just don't see where we are going to improve. We are relying on a number of unproven players to suddenly become a lot better to that we can be competitive.

Put it this way, our biggest issue last season was our ability to attack and score goals. Our front 4 as it stands is so far behind all the other teams ion the comp, and this is where signing the Development Chinese player really annoys me. If we had of instead signed Castelen and a Visa striker we are after, then we start to have a starting team that threatens opposition sides.