Midfielders.
Right, so this is where a lot of blame was handed out for our seasons poor finish, Jonaton Germano had an injury plagued season, but showed enough that he was worth persisting with going forward, even though he takes a visa spot, he adds a nice set of versatility, Matt Thompson held the ceremonial title of chief whipping boy amongst fans this season, although his work off the ball remains unsurpassed on the team. The problem lies with the inability to take advantage of this, a box-to-box midfielder his entire career, this year he was asked to play a largely holding role, people are calling for him to be moved on, but he should be held onto as a mister fix it for any number of positions, given his ability to get through a power of work more freedom should perhaps be extended to him. Nicholas Kalmar was brilliant in patches, keeping Fred out of the team for parts, most notably his performances against Perth and Sydney, which were simply stunning and then turning out the next week against Wellington and having an average game at best, he’s been signed next year, which likely signals the end for our beloved Brazillian, who, at 33 (34 by the time next season rolls around) simply doesn’t have the body to stand up to the rigours of a full season of football (even when playing only once a week), much respect for the work that he’s done, but a visa spot is especially crucial going into next year. Marcel Meeuwis came in at the end of our season, so his performances, while not outstanding, were part of a larger problem that engulfed the last month and a half of our season, a difficult call on if he stays or not. I’m going to add Richard Garcia to this list, many people tip him to be player of the year (rightly so) but with Duganzic, Williams and Mebrahtu all showing that they are capable wingers and the addition of Ben Garrucio, I think his future could lie in the play making spot, rather then out wide.
So where too from all this? Our midfielders can be put broadly into two boxes, defensive, or attacking. In the defensive stakes, Mitch Nichols might be worth a punt, still young and while he’s been used to great effect as an attacking midfielder, it would be great to see him harnessed and used as a fiesty, ball winning midfielder, an expansive game and an energetic player, could fill either of the midfield roles in reality, should be strongly looked at. Jake Baker-Daish is a Melbourne boy who should be brought home, the ex Altona central midfielder has looked industrious at Adelaide and Gold Coast, he’d be an ideal signing and a great Victorian addition. Mark Bresciano has been mentioned for a while now and would be nothing short of a magnificent capture, realistic? I’m not so sure, although his career would benefit from playing a game a week, he likely has his eye on Brazil 2014 and will likely continue his career abroad. I’ve also got big wraps for Evan Kostopoulos from Adelaide, although he’s been an inconsistent player throughout his career so far. As for some overseas names that could be added to this list, Isaac Osbourne has had an injury interupted year at Aberdeen but is the definition of a tough tackling defensive midfielder, with the Englishman voicing concern about his contract in Scotland, a trip to wonderful Melbourne could be just the change he needs, fewer games and less stress on both the body and mind. Shunsuke Nakamura would be beyond class for the A-League and would add one of the deadliest free kicks in the game to a squad which has been largely poor from them. Tasmanian Jamie De Smit (not kidding, actual name) has trialled with Melbourne Heart before, the young man looked the goods last year, would love to see more of him.
All Heart 