QA; it's time to slow down

ALMOST by universal acclaim, it was predicted the third version of the A-League would be closest yet, but this close?

After four rounds, almost 20% of the regular season gone, we're averaging a poor 1.8 goals per game, with nine of the 16 games ending in draws, four of them goal-less. Only four teams have experienced the winning feeling, only the Jets and Mariners more than once.

But it's not just been the draws that have been the problem, it's been the quality of football on offer, or lack thereoff.

Quite simple, the league has been too physical for it's own good. Everyone is fitter, more athletic and better organised, but it's been to the detriment of the quality on offer.

The prevailing belief in the pre-season was that the infiltration of 13 or so Brazilians and South American's would improve the quality of the product, but the reality so far is that most have struggled to adapt to the physicality, a case in point being the Jets's Denni, who was replaced in the first half on Saturday night after finding the going tough against United enforcer Jonas Salley.

Another technician, Adrian Caceres, also made way early in the Victory v Mariners game for the more competitive Steve Pantelidis.

Gary van Egmond stated bluntly after the match that Denni was struggling to adapt to the physical nature of the competition, as was the Argentine signing Jorge Drovandi, barely sighted.

Not surprisingly Denni's most effective game came in round 2 against Queensland, when the Roar were missing their own two enforcers, Craig Moore and Danny Tiatto, through suspension. With youngster Chris Grossman playing in the holding midfield role, it's little wonder Denni had more space.

Over to the competition's marquee man, Juninho, who has had to deal with the hits from behind more than most, because of his reputation. In round one, he spent the first 40 minutes trying to shake off Mile Jedinak, who took both man and ball every time Sydney played it to Juninho. It wasn't until Jedinak was yellow carded, just before the break, that Juninho finally had a bit of space and was able to create a couple of openings.

In round two, against Adelaide, he had to face up to not only Salley, but Angelo Costanzo, a double whammy. While he proved he is able to ride a challenge better than most, it eventually caught up on him, the little fella injuring his shoulder after hitting the ground for the upteenth time.

Salley isn't the only A-League hardman playing in midfield. The champions Melbourne have Kevin Muscat and Grant Brebner. The Mariners have workhorses in Mile Jedinak, John Hutchinson and Andre Gumprecht. Tom Pondeljak, a player appreciated for his subtlety, couldn't get a look in until Sasho Petrovski went down injured on Sunday.

Queensland Roar, after experimenting in the first two weeks, have moved tough man Danny Tiatto into the holding role where he's been very influential. Fit striker Reinaldo was used last weekend as a midfield workhorse.

In the past two weeks, Ross Aloisi has been partnered by Richard Johnson and the Phoenix have looked far more competitive. Not surprisingly, their playmaker, Felipe, has had two good games in the past two weeks against the Jets and Sydney respectively, two teams that like to play and let you play.

Perth Glory, with Mate Dragicevic struggling to adapt to the pace of the game here, had little choice but to go more direct and draft in Jamie Harnwell, with effect.

It seems A-League managers everywhere are obsessed with having competitors in the middle of the park, and workhorses all around them, often stifling the creators and leading to matches where midfields and defences dominate. Stalemates.

Yes, as Branko Culina points out, there is a dearth of quality finishers, but the problem is summed up well through Ron Smith's analysis;

Look at where the improvement has happened and, in terms of work rate and structure, each year the teams have improved. And by that, I mean the athleticism, not people's attitude towards hard work. You're starting to get players with good athletic qualities who can get up and down the field and they make it difficult for people to get chances to score by getting behind the ball quickly and getting back in numbers. Players are going to have to get better at breaking down defenders and be a little more precise. That will be the next step, that has to happen, or we'll forever and a day have tight, close games.

That's the fear, that unless things slow down a touch and the ball gets moved sideways and backwards instead of constantly being shifted forward, season three will be remembered as a close one, but by the end of it, how many will be watching?

Watching the second half of the Victory v Mariners clash on Sunday, there were some good signs, with the ball moved from flank to flank, some space finally created in the middle. Had it not been for a couple of fine saves, we might have had a goal or two.

When the league was launched, both Frank Lowy and John O'Neill spoke of the importance of providing "entertainment", but at the moment there's no doubt the emphasis is far too geared towards the result, as Culina pointed out;

It's a problem for the competition and what we need to do is take a few extra risks. There's all this pressure to get goals, sometimes the emphasis is more on the result rather than the way you play the game and teams will go out and say, 'I'd rather get a 1-0 win than a 4-all draw'.

Of course teams want and need to win, but for the collective good of the league, let's hope the bigger picture isn't lost.