Not much to cheer about up here in Newcastle. Seems we can't seem to string two wins together. I think it is the same problem as last season, we have a very good team but no strikers. The raise in ticket prices hasn't helped the crowds much but I think that will pick up in the finals if we get that far.
One general thought as my coverage of the NSL keeps shaping itself... the top six seems to be changing new members every week-- Sydney United and the Football Kingz are the surprise packages-- but there seems to be a massive gulf in class between the top two sides and the other four-to-six teams contending for places in the finals... The Olympic Sharks and Perth Glory are far and away the class of the league. Then there's Newcastle United (Sammy, your side is a pretty good one, and starting to show some cohesion now), South Melbourne are unbeatable at Bob Jane Stadium, and then there are the iffy clubs-- the pretenders, if you will-- that might make an impact in the finals, as long as they show enough mettle to get there in the first place. It'll be interesting to see which teams shape the top six, or its last two or three places, from one round to the next (I am writing ahead of the Perth Glory-Football Kingz Round 16 match, incidentally). One team which I think can still shape the top six, if not bulldoze their way into it themselves, is the Melbourne Knights-- if they can sort out their massive lot of injuries and settle on a striking combination, then they can do some considerable damage. Quite a ways to go yet, but those are my impressions at the New Year. Cheers, William
I think newcastles biggest problem is going to be injuries. The first team has already been thin on players and this week there was 4 more injuries. As you noted, it isn't going to take much to fall from the top 6. I think adelaide will be there in the end. Brisbane have benn by far the best team to play in newcastle this season and they seem to be turning things around. I wouldn't be surprised if they snuck in. My call on the top six playoffs (No Particular order except the first two) Sydney Olympic Perth Glory Newcastle United South Melbourne Adelaide Melbourne Knights