Five things we learned from A-League Round 8

Expansion enigmas, bizarre brain-snaps and title talk headlined an action-packed round eight of A-League football this past weekend.

Source: AAP

We need Wellington

After a week in which Football Federation Australia announced the A-League’s two newest teams, Wellington Phoenix reminded everyone just why they deserve to stay.

The Kiwi club are in danger of losing their place in the competition at the end of next season should they fail to fulfil certain expectations set in 2016.

To some, their downfall is inevitable, but perhaps their efforts for the 2018-19 campaign should warrant further consideration.

Last season’s ninth-placed finish forced the club to make several changes in the off-season, including the appointment of new coach Mark Rudan as well as the signing of  star imports Steven Taylor and Mandi.

Long-neglected by A-League clubs in favour of the foreign and familiar, Rudan’s arrival represented the Phoenix’s faith in the NPL level and the caliber of its coaches.

And with the Nix sixth through eight games this season – fresh from Saturday’s 2-0 win over Central Coast Mariners – a return to the finals could woo FFA officials to revise preconceived plans for a license revoke.

To the uninitiated, Wellington’s presence in the A-League is not uncommon in world football, with Wales’ Cardiff and Swansea City both involved in the English Football Leagues for identical reasons.

In fact, Wellington’s presence, in the eyes of Melbourne Victory’s Kosta Barbarouses, presents “opportunities” to players struggling to crack the A-League’s glass ceiling.

Simply put: the A-League cannot afford to continue cutting teams as soon as one arises, particularly in Melbourne and Sydney.

Unlike Gold Coast and North Queensland, the Nix have been involved in Australian football for 12 years and, aside from an A-League Championship, are no different to Saturday’s fellow crowd-stricken opponents.

There appears to be a change brewing across the Tasman and it’s imperative the FFA sit up and take notice of it, otherwise their “staggered” approach to expansion will remain stagnant.

Thunder and lightning

If Western Sydney Wanderers fans thought the weather was bad on Saturday night, one duo of their own was a whole lot worse.

Oriol Riera’s faint finish midway through the first half handed the Wanderers a deserved lead at ANZ Stadium, but in the three minutes that followed, everything changed.

A bizarre brain-snap and subsequent red card to Vedran Janjetovic awarded Sydney FC a stream back into the contest and they duly took advantage of it.

The eventual 3-1 defeat, though a result of Janjetovic’s illegal handle, was hindered by Markus Babbel once again after the German elected to substitute Alexander Baumjohann, much to the surprise of both sets of supporters.

Speaking at half-time, Babbel cited Baumjohann’s defensive fragility for his decision; despite witnessing Rhyan Grant fly past an unusually ineffective Bruce Kamau on countless occasions.

With 12 possessions, an assist and three balls into the penalty area after 27 minutes, had Baumjohann remained on the pitch in a compact 4-4-1, perhaps the Wanderers could have preserved a positive result.

But instead, a fourth-straight derby loss leaves the club wondering what could have been – all while their coach continues to blame and isolate his players: “This is the DNA in this team. We are not hungry… we don’t have to be surprised if you lose this game.”

Frozen frontman

Bruno Fornaroli appears to have played his final game for Melbourne City.

The Uruguayan was again left behind for their 2-0 victory over Adelaide United on Sunday, stretching his absence to four games.

But if fans harboured any hopes of reconciliation between the 31-year-old and coach Warren Joyce, the latter’s stance should put them to bed.

“No, there’s been no difference,” Joyce said when asked if Fornaroli’s attitude had changed.

It leaves the pair heading towards an inevitable divorce in the January transfer window, with City still to play Melbourne Victory in the meantime on Saturday.

Fornaroli has scored 51 goals in 73 games since signing for the Citizens in 2015 but it appears even that won’t save his status with club hierarchy.

An own goal to Jordan Elsey and driven effort from Luke Brattan steered City past the Reds and up to fourth on the league ladder.

Worst kept secret

Tony Popovic has finally accepted Perth Glory’s place in the A-League this season: as title favourites.

Neil Kilkenny and Jason Davidson helped the league leaders past the Newcastle Jets on Sunday, stretching their unbeaten start to the season to eight games and move back on top of the ladder.

Popovic admitted there was now expectation surrounding his side.

“We’re in an unfamiliar position for the club, to be eight games (in) and you’re sitting on top,” he said.

“We want the expectation to grow on the club. To do that, you have to perform consistently.

“You have to get results, and then people expect more. So now, people expect.”

The Glory hold a two-point lead above closest challengers Melbourne Victory and will approach next Friday’s clash with Sydney FC looking to cement their claim as the country’s best.

Dear John

Brisbane Roar coach John Aloisi cut a frustrated figure following his side’s 4-2 defeat to Melbourne Victory on Friday night.

A poor opening 20 minutes at Suncorp Stadium left the hosts both behind and down a man after Eric Bautheac earned a second yellow card for acting out at James Troisi and Ola Toivonen.

The one-man advantage only served Victory’s cause and the damage was done by half-time, the 4-2 scoreline enough to leave Aloisi’s side stuck in second-last place on the A-League ladder.

But for all Aloisi’s agony at the result, perhaps he shouldn’t take it to heart.

Kevin Muscat’s men look every bit the world-beaters right now, with Friday’s result their sixth straight victory of the season.

Kosta Barbarouses,Toivonen and fellow marquee Keisuke Honda found themselves on the scoresheet yet again and will look to do so against rivals City next weekend.

The defending champions will be out to avenge round one's derby defeat, memorably marred by the VAR.