A-League – Melbourne City mid-season review

A-League – Melbourne City mid-season review

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Our series of mid-season reviews continues with a look at Melbourne City.

The story so far 

If points were handed out in the A-League for entertaining matches and thrilling football, Melbourne City would be well and truly on their way to a first Premier’s Plate.

They don’t, however, and City find themselves four points adrift of league leaders Brisbane Roar in third spot – that is the bad news. The good news is that they have more than proven themselves as championship contenders this season with several demolition jobs and a 2-1 Melbourne Derby win which was symbolic, if anything. This Melbourne City side has aspirations of dethroning its rivals and, to a certain extent, stepping out from its shadow and, with the approach it has taken, this feat seems more possible than ever before.

City boasts the most potent attack in the competition, netting 35 goals in 14 games to date – 13 more than the closest side (Brisbane Roar and Western Sydney Wanderers, each with 22). Forget the stats though because it has been the way John van’t Schip’s side has reached these record numbers. City possess the firepower to break sides down, play through them or around them, are dangerous off set pieces and look dangerous in transition. They have all the qualities of a champion side going forward but with their philosophy of attack, attack, attack, comes the obvious folly.

City is prone to leaking goals at the back and also hold the second-worst defensive record to go with their astonishing attacking prowess. The loss of Connor Chapman has not helped their cause with constant reshuffles at the back, but such is the open and expansive nature of their play that any back four combination’s failure would almost be inevitable.

This being said, having only the one clean sheet to this point in the season is something they will need to rectify and quickly as they make their charge towards the Premiers Plate in the second half of the season.

The manager 

Van’t Schip’s two stints with the club have been night and day. In a developmental phase years ago, the team he has undertaken is now established – for the most part – and he has set about reaping the rewards.

As the record suggests, van’t Schip’s actions have had little effect on the defensive capabilities of a team that went 17 matches without a win last season, but to the former Dutch international’s credit, the confidence he has shown in his side to outscore opponents in open affairs should be admired.

His biggest challenge will be finding a system that works for the back four. A higher line was used against the Wanderers last week and worked to great effect in parts, so it will be interesting to see whether this trend continues and whether he can get captain Patrick Kisnorbo to lay a consistent platform for his front six to feed off.


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Standout player 

The problem with finding a standout player for City is finding just ONE standout player. French import Harry Novillo has been sensational. Uruguayan import Bruno Fornarolli has been scoring goals at an unbelievable rate, leading the Golden Boot race with 12 goals overall and seven in his last seven matches. Incredibly, he also has the opportunity to score a goal against every A-League opponent when City play the Wellington Phoenix Monday week.

Yet somehow, Aaron Mooy stands out above the rest. Mooy has been the best player in the A-League this season, almost unquestionably, topping the assists chart (nine) and sharing equal-fifth in the Golden Boot race with six goals.

However, it is the influence he has on this City side that has seen him linked to several top European leagues and reportedly rejecting a $2 million offer from Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr in recent months. This was accentuated in the last fortnight with an insipid performance against Sydney FC without Mooy followed by an outstanding 3-2 win over the league-leading Wanderers with Mooy’s inclusion the following week.

Perhaps it is not completely true to say that City’s contender status this season rests squarely on the fitness (or possibly even contract?) of Mooy, although City fans will be sweating on his availability for the second half of the season, especially come April and May.

Second-half prediction

This is untried water for City. They may have found themselves in good positions among the top teams in the past but it is fair to say that they have never found themselves regularly competing and performing as a top team. This may be their best chance to grab some silverware since their inception and with it, perhaps even a proper foothold within Melbourne.

Their reputation for entertaining football is beginning to spread, the crowds are beginning to swell and the influence of City Football Group is becoming more and more apparent.

If they can fix their issues at the back, they have the potential to be the dominant force in the competition, but nonetheless do not expect van’t Schip’s men to change their ways in the second half of the season. They are willing to live and die by their sword and it might just fill up some space in the trophy cabinet.

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