WHILE I was very happy Sydney FC won 2-0 against their bogey team Wellington Phoenix to go top of the table, I was more in tune with my Schadenfreude after the White Shoe Brigade got done by a Newcastle Jets sucker punch.
A wounded Gold Coast United should be fired against Sydney FC on Saturday evening. All of a sudden the Gold Coast Chavs look very beatable especially now that Jason Culina will not be playing due to international duty. I was exalting their performances last week and the large ego I carry around with me even thought that maybe some of them read my blog and actually believed the hype.Sydney FC have problems of their own to worry about for Saturday's clash. Lavicka's squad has been settled for the first month of this campaign. John Aloisi could miss out and that will be a big loss. Who would have thought I would ever be saying those words? Not last season that's for sure.
The midfield loses Terry McFlynn for this game. His partnership with Karol Kisel has not been spectacular. However it's been effective as the work those players do has allowed Alex Brosque, Kofi Danning, Mark Bridge, Steve Corica and Brendan Gan to create chances for themselves and John Aloisi.
Chris Payne could be used as the main striker if Aloisi succumbs to injury. Payne played that role during pre-season and I'd like to have another looksy at the former Manly United player again.
I write a weekly A League review for GoalWeekly a Melbourne-based fanzine. Regarding Gold Coast United's loss to the Jets I said: "The prophecy that Gold Coast United would go into their inaugural A League season undefeated proved a false one. Let's see what Clive Palmer and Miron Bleiberg will say this week. I'm sure other clubs will be happy to offer up servings of humble pie."
Paul Okon was more humble than his paymasters when he spoke to the media this week and it just feels kind of Schadenfreudy hearing him speak:
"There was a lot of disappointment in the dressing room on Sunday and now it's all about how we bounce back from it - that's what good teams do. We're very hungry to put it right this week," he said.
It's far cry from the chest beating of Professor Palmer only two weeks ago. Remember this quote?
"None of our contracted players are leaving and no further transfers during the current season will be considered for any amount of money," he said.
I'm sure the price has gone down after last week's performance and the price could go down even further. The tanned men of Gold Coast will not have Jason Culina around to make the rest of the squad look so good. Steve Fitzsimmons and Steve Pantelidis I'm talking to you.
Saying that, the White Shoe Brigade still have three Brazilians and Tahj Minniecon who could cause the Bling problems; let's not leave out Shane Smeltz and his Sharks Fin style haircut.
The away Cove will be there in numbers as the Gold Coast was the chosen location for its annual National Service trip. Hopefully there is a good crowd for this game otherwise it will be just the Cove serenading Gaz and his family for the entire match.(Gaz is a fellow blogger on 442)
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