UNDERWHELMING AGAIN

Melbourne City is expected to be one of the top teams in the W-League ever since they joined the league in 2015. Each season they have one of the best rosters which puts a large target on them to perform well. 

The last two rounds for City has had them with underwhelming performances. They barely defeated Canberra last week and tied the Newcastle Jets 1-1 in the opening round.

And today’s 1-0 defeat is showing a trend in their play. 

A wonderful slew of passes and build up from Melbourne City in the seventh minute led to the opening goal. Kyah Simon and Ellie Carpenter were 100% in sync with one another and made the Adelaide defenders look like they were standing still. 

Often an early goal is a sign of what is to come, constant pressure on the opposing defence and at least one more goal. But the seventh minute goal was the only one to end up on the score sheet. 

City was not held the rest of the game, but the majority of their chances either had a bad final pass or a ball going every direction besides on goal. Just six of their 18 shots were on frame. 

Criticizing an undefeated team seems like nitpicking, but City has not faced any team that finished in the top four from a year ago.

Their incomplete performances may be getting them results now, however against the other top teams they will have to do better.

DISAPPOINTMENT CONTINUES

Last season Adelaide United finished with four losses and this year after just three rounds they already have three losses. 

Not only are Adelaide winless, but they have only scored one goal. Their lone impressive stat is that they have only conceded four goals. Adelaide is not getting blown out of games rather they are frustratingly losing close ones. 

Their defence is the one keeping them in the games since their offence is lacking. Today they had seven shots on goal, but zero of them on target. 

Even the best defences can only do so much when they are having to protect their goal the majority of the match and seeing little production from their own offence.

You have to score to win and Adelaide is simply not scoring. 

All seven of their shots came from different players. It is tough for players to score with only one shot on goal. They need their forwards like Mary Fowler taking more shots to give them a better chance of winning.

The best news for Adelaide is that they have a break next round where they can try and regroup and fix what is not working.

BROOKS IS THE BRIGHT SPOT

Amber Brooks was quite possibly the best player on the pitch for either team today. She was all over the field, putting Adelaide in the best position to win the game. 

Even though Brooks lined up as a defender she was not limited to just her half of the field. She was one of the most offensive players for her club today.

Brooks even netted the only goal for Adelaide in the 53rd minute before it was waved off for offside. Whenever the team has set pieces Brooks is the player they are looking to connect with.

A key reason Melbourne City only scored one goal is because of how Brooks played. She was making tackle after tackle keeping the City forwards at bay.

Brooks is the master at the shoulder tackle, simply pushing players off the ball in what looks like an effortless manner.

She is the captain of the team and you can tell she leads them by how hard she plays.

If Adelaide are going to turn it around it will be because of Brooks. She garners the respect of her teammates and competitors. 

But Adelaide can’t keep relying on Brooks to do everything for them, they need to have a full 11 out there playing as hard as Brooks plays.