TFT Issue 3342!

As time goes by, Macarthur FC are predictably getting better. There’s a good team underneath all of the sluggish, sideways stuff, and some elements of their play are beginning to really cause teams issues. For example, Spanish winger Susaeta is getting back to his old self. He caused Western Sydney Wanderers a few headaches in the derby at weekend, for example. The improved movement in wide positions has stopped the over-reliance on Franjic, and has made Benat’s job a lot easier in the middle of the park. A combination of the above has led to better service for Derbyshire, which has naturally led to more goals being scored. Things are getting better for The Bulls, basically.

Despite what the form guide says, Macarthur FC have performed well enough to win at least two of their last three games. I thought they were very unlucky against Sydney FC, considering that they were comfortable for sixty minutes of that game, even with ten men. They were good against the Jets, and they did well against Western Sydney Wanderers too, especially in the first-half. One could make the argument that Western Sydney Wanderers might not have got back into that one had it not been for two bizarre but magical moments with Dorrans lobbing Federici from a long way out, and Cox glancing home a header from an inspired scorpion kick assist from Baccus. Still, that’s football, and it wasn’t like they were the only chances that Western Sydney Wanderers had. 

I still have some concerns about Macarthur FC though. I have concerns about their slowness in the middle of defence (especially when they’re pushing out), Federici’s desire to be Neuer and play on the half-way line, and their lack of penetration. As much as they have improved – and they have – they’re still relying a lot on set pieces for goals. They’re good at them, to be fair, so I completely understand why they’ve done that. It’s not all that pragmatic for every game though, you know? They need to be that bit better from open play at both ends of the pitch before I start trusting them as much as their squad on paper denotes that I should.

Keeping in mind that this is a fairly old squad, the fact that this is Macarthur FC’s third game in eleven days is not ideal. At least veteran Milligan sat out their last game because of suspension, so he’ll be fresh. Are Benat, Derbyshire, and Susaeta going to be fit enough to last the ninety, though? Given that all of them have had injury-prone careers, I would be really surprised to see it. I think Macarthur FC will be tired here, basically, and although they’re still not an easy side to break down, they’re also not yet in synch enough for me to expect any team to really fail on that front.

Subsequently, I’m left feeling like backing Brisbane Roar to win here is the right thing to do here. They may not be the best team on paper but their squad balance is better than most in Australia right now. They know when to attack, when to defend, and they’re proving to be rather adept at both. I stand by everything I’ve said about this team this season though; they’re not very good on paper. In terms of the right players being in the right setup though, they’re absolutely perfect.

Quite how Wenzel-Halls has bagged as many as he has this season, I don’t know. Part of me is pleased for him, though. He may not be the most talented of players, but he sure does work hard. Defenders know they’ve been in a game after playing against him because he’s a real terrier; a very good pressing forward. He’s not a good finisher; there’s no nice, respectable way to put it. However, he’s got luck on his side at the moment, and sometimes that’s all you need. McDonald is the finisher, and he showed it with his rocket against Melbourne Victory last time out. My biggest crib is that Roar actually don’t convert enough chances but with the number they’re creating right now, it’s not proving to be a problem.

I just how love how perfectly this team is able to press its opponents. All of their forwards and midfielders are fit, fast, and determined. What more can you really ask for? You can’t sit back against such a team; you’ve got to try and play through them. Sometimes that’ll work, but generally it won’t .They move the ball quickly, exploit space quickly, and get enough men forward to ultimately cause teams problems. They’re now so confident that even conceding goals doesn’t sway them. Despite having a pretty average squad, their collective efforts are above the rest of the league right now, and that makes me trust them.

With Brisbane Roar outsmarting and outscoring each team they come up against right now, a still learning Macarthur FC should not have much joy today. For me, the home win at 21/20 is very appealing; I really can’t see how the Sydney outfit are going to have enough speed and stamina for such a game. My main pick is Roar to win; the other selections are long shots that I also fancy.