After Adelaide secured a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Brisbane Roar at the weekend, the South Australians have the opportunity to make club history if they can get a positive result across the Tasman.
The Reds’ resurgence extended to 13 games unbeaten with that win against John Aloisi’s men, equalling their longest undefeated streak. If they avoid defeat in New Zealand it will set a club record of 14 consecutive league matches without a loss.
It is something which was unthinkable at the beginning of the season following United’s floundering start under coach Guillermo Amor. However, the Spaniard has managed to turn his side’s fortunes completely around. They are now genuine title contenders, a testament of Amor’s unflappable temperament and scrupulous attention to detail when studying opposition tactics.
Huge credit must go to the Adelaide boss as well as the players for the dramatic improvement, especially when fans were growing increasingly frustrated with their team’s underwhelming performances in the opening eight rounds. And understandably so. But more often than not, when a new manager is employed, it does take time for the coach to instil his system on the squad and for the players to quickly adapt to his philosophy. The situation at Adelaide was no exception.
Amor’s limited English at the time of succeeding his predecessor Josep Gombau, can partially be attributed to Adelaide’s poor start. Communication is obviously a fundamental aspect between a coach and player and perhaps the squad struggled in understanding the messages the Barcelona legend was conveying.
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But after 21 rounds, those initial woes seem a distant memory. The Reds have since surged into second place on the A-League ladder and remain the form team of the competition. Wellington play host to the city of churches outfit at Westpac Stadium on Saturday night – a place where the visitors have rarely tasted success.
United have mustered only two wins in Wellington against the ‘Nix with their most recent arriving in a narrow 1-0 victory during the 2013-14 season, courtesy of a Marcelo Carrusca penalty. This season Amor’s men suffered a 4-2 hiding back in November in Wellington, but how times have changed.
Adelaide were in the middle of a disastrous form slump, compounded by becoming the first team in A-League history to concede a staggering three or more goals in four successive games. However, since shipping 14 goals in four straight matchdays, the Reds have been extremely miserly defensively. To put that into context, during their current 13-game renaissance United’s defence has yielded just eight goals.
Although Wellington lie in ninth place, in what has been a struggling campaign they are more than capable of securing an upset against Adelaide – highlighted by their shock 2-1 defeat of Melbourne City last time out. And with the club’s future now assured, Ernie Merrick’s men can solely focus on playing football without the lingering trepidation in the back of their minds surrounding the club’s uncertainty.
Adelaide cannot afford to take their counterparts lightly and will be without midfield general Isaias for another three to four weeks. The Spanish pass master has a lateral ligament strain in his right knee and will be sorely missed, but in any squad with depth he is replaceable. George Mells had an excellent performance against the Roar in filling the massive void left by Isaias and could feature again from the outset this weekend.
Italian Iacopo La Rocca is back from serving a three-match suspension and could be deployed in the centre of the park to act as a screen in front of the back four. La Rocca is versatile and despite playing as a centre-back for United, he did occupy the defensive midfield role countlessly for Western Sydney Wanderers.
Essentially, it is all up for Amor to mull over. Does he resist the temptation of making alterations and name the unchanged eleven that dispatched Brisbane? Or does he decide to relegate Jordan Elsey back to the bench to partner Dylan McGowan in central defence?
Whatever ploy the Spanish tactician decides on he will be hoping for another positive result as the Adelaide juggernaut continues the march towards a finals berth and in the process set a new club record.
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