A-League. Version 6. (part 2)

Here are the next four previews, Melbourne Heart, Melbourne Victory, Newcastle Jets and North Queensland Fury:

MELBOURNE HEART

Notable Inclusions/Exceptions:
Heart have done very well with there inaugural season recruitment and everyone involved with the club can pat themselves on the back. Here are some of the excellent signings, Simon Colosimo(Sydney FC), Dean Heffernan(Central Coast Mariners), Josip Skoko(Hajduk Split, Croatia), Wayne Srhoj( Perth Glory), Matthew Thompson(Newcastle Jets), Gerald Sibon(Heerenveen,Holland), Alex Terra(Rio Branco, Brazil), just to name a few. As you can see there nothing short of talent in this squad. It's just about finding a solid gameplan and strategy now.

Key Players:
The Alex Terra and Gerald Sibon partnership looks the goods, and could turn out to be one of the best partnerships in the league. Also look for Josip Skoko, Matthew Thompson and Wayne Shroj to provide Sibon and Terra those killer balls, and make those forward runs that they did so well for there former clubs. The defence shouldn't be a problem, with Heart boasting Simon Colosimo and Dean Heffernan, two proven A-League defenders. Clint Bolton should be solid in goal.

Prediction: 3rd. Should be a good side towards the end of the season when they gel even more and become a well oiled unit. But the big thing everyone's been talking about is they may have one of the best first elevens in the league, but, they have one of the weakest second elevens in the league. If they get any key player injuries or suspensions, the Yarra-side should get worried.

MELBOURNE VICTORY

Notable Inclusions/Exceptions:
Both goalkeepers leave the club, Mitchell Langerak (Borussia Dortmund, Germany) and Glen Moss(Gold Coast United), but are replaced but the highly capable Michael Petkovic (Sivasspor, Turkey). Other than that only Diogo Ferreira(Green Gully,Melbourne) and Petar Franjic (Youth) have been picked up.

Key Players:
Once again Carlos Hernandez will be absolutely vital in that attacking midfield role. Also Robbie Kruse needs to step up with the loss of Archie Thompson until at least November. The defence should be solid once more, its just the goals that I think they will need.

Prediction: 4th. Without Archie Thompson and Danny Allsopp (until at least November) I stuggle to see this Melbourne side winning titles. Sorry, but, I don't think Robbie Kruse can win them titles and score more goals than Thompson. I am happy to be proved wrong.

NEWCASTLE JETS

Notable Inclusions/Exceptions:
Newcastle have done reasonably well in the off season with the signings of Ruben Zadkovich(Derby County, England), Kasey Wehrman(Fredrikstad FK, Norway) and Marcello Fiorentini(Palazzolo, Italy), to replace the departed Matthew Thompson(Melbourne Heart), Song Jin Hyung(Tours FC, France) and Fabio Vignaroli(released). Also Jeremy Brockie comes to the club to replace Jason Hoffman who has left for Melbourne Heart.


Key Players:
Newcastle are gonna rely heavily on a creative, exciting attack, and a strong, no-nonsense defence if there gonna be up in and around the top six again this year. It's still undecided whether the signings of Wehrman, Zadkovic and Fiorentini will make up for the huge losses of Vignaroli, Thompson and Song. There gonna have to if Newcastle are gonna be competitive this year. Also Michael Bridges takes over the captaincy from the departed Matt Thompson.

Prediction: 10th. There's still a bit of uncertainty around the squad with so much new faces and there three genuine quality midfielders leaving the club. This could be the deciding factor whether there top six or wooden spoon.

NORTH QUEENSLAND FURY

Notable Inclusions/Exceptions:
Alot of action on the transfer market for North Queensland, in total, sixteen players have left the club and thirteen players have came in to a new look Fury side. Some of the departures include Marquee signing Robbie Fowler who has left for Western Australia side Perth Glory, also impressive Defender/Midfielder Rostyn Griffiths has left the club for the Central Coast Mariners and New Zealand international Jeremy Brockie has left to rival A-League side the Newcastle Jets. Chris Payne(Sydney FC), Mark Hughes (Walsall, England), Eugene Sseppuya, Gareth Edds (Tranmere Rovers, England) and Eric Akoto (OFI, Greece) are just a few of the signings for North Queensland.

Key Players:
With midfield being the strength in this underwhelming North Queensland squad, it will need to be on top of its game(and a whole lot more) if the Fury are gonna go even close to getting anywhere near the top six. Chris Payne, David Williams and Dyron Daal are, simpy,(imo) not gonna be able supply enough goals to accomplish the dreams and hopes of the North Queensland faithful, although i'm yet to see new signing Sseppuya in action, so he could be a great coup and there also may be the odd game where everything go's right for the Fury and they get a result.

Prediction: 11th. Without Fowler, I struggle to see this Fury side bringing in crowds and get enough wins to see them as top six contenders. For those reasons I'm willing to predict them as favourites for the dreaded wooden spoon.