Recruiting:
Ins: Alemao (CA Juventus , Brazil – 2 years), Mark Birighitti (Australian Institute of Sport - 2 years), Cristiano (Willem II, Netherlands – 2 years), Daniel Mullen (AIS - 1 year), Sasa Ognenovski (Queensland Roar – 2 years) , Paul Reid (Brighton & Hove Albion – 2 years), Robbie Younis (APIA Leichhardt Tigers - 2 years), Scott Jamieson (Bolton Wanderers)
Outs: Richie Alagich (retired), Robert Bajic (released), Nathan Burns (AEK Athens), Bruce Djite (Genclerbirligi, Turkey), Dez Giraldi (released), Shaun Ontong (Newcastle Jets), Bobby Petta (released) and Milan Susak (released).
Re-signed: Daniel Beltrame (1 year), Fabian Barbiero (1 year), Angelo Costanzo (1 year), Eugene Galekovic (2 years), Lucas Pantelis (2 years), Kristian Sarkies (2 years), Michael Valkanis (1 year).
Analysis:
Aurelio Vidmar has continued his love affair for all things Brazilian by adding another two 'Samba Boys' to the club. Diego and Cassio have impressed in their time at the Reds but the two new arrivals are very different players. Alemao is a versatile wide defensive player who will fit in well in a back three, while Cristiano is a tall but skilful striker who will slot into the spot left by Bruce Djite. Unless the Reds can rattle the net regularly during the season, then a lot of attention will turn to the loss of Djite and Burns, especially with Paul Agostino still battling injuries. Sasa Ognenovski will be a big asset at the back, while Scott Jamieson's arrival will shore up the midfield and give the Reds a few more options from set pieces. The other additions, Daniel Mullen, Paul Reid and Robbie Younis add depth.
Pre-Season: The Reds were unbeaten in the Pre-Season Cup and they just missed out on the final after successive 0-0 draws against Perth and Newcastle. The 2-1 win over eventual champion Melbourne was a good start and it's clear that Vidmar's new look team has gelled very well.
Improvements: The Reds defence will clearly be all the better for the arrival of Ognenovski, Alemao and Jamieson, considering they conceded the equal third amount of goals during an ultimately unsuccessful A-League season in 2007/08. They finished sixth, and leaked too many silly goals.
Concerns: Any team that loses players with the potential and ability of Burns and Djite up front must have a few worries and Paul Agostino's inability to stay fit means that the pressure is on Cristiano to step up quickly. Robbie Younis, a highly-rated 23-year-old from the NSW Premier League, has been recruited as a back-up but could find himself heavily involved.
Key player:Travis Dodd. There is no doubting Dodd's ability, but the Reds need him to get heavily involved on a regular basis if they are going to fire this season. Two years ago, he was in Socceroos contention, but he has fallen off the radar. His delivery to the strikers, and strong runs down the right will be crucial to Adelaide's hopes.
Up or down?
Vidmar was clearly not happy with last season's effort, and Reds fans expect more from their side. But it may only be a slight improvement from a team which has bolstered its defence, but has lost some of its firepower. They may scrape in for a top four spot.
Adelaide United | Central Coast Mariners | Melbourne Victory | Newcastle Jets
Perth Glory | Queensland Roar | Sydney FC | Wellington Phoenix