'Player power too powerful at Roar'

The last time Ange Postecoglou visited Suncorp Stadium, he was the coach under fire after his decision to leave Brisbane Roar.

But on Saturday week when Postecoglou and his Melbourne Victory team return to the Milton venue, it's going to be the Roar's own coach Mike Mulvey who will be targeted from sections of the Brisbane crowd - regardless of how his team fares against Adelaide United this weekend.

"Mulvey Out" banners similar to the one that was confiscated eight days ago when Brisbane beat Wellington in an awful match are likely to again be scattered around the ground. And with good reason.

I've said it before, but I'll say it again - there was no need to re-appoint Mulvey long-term so quickly.

The club's reasons are that the re-appointment of Mulvey - who has hardly any runs on the board at A-League level - has given the Roar stability and that it pleases the players.

The latter is debatable despite what is being said publicly but, if it is true, it again suggests players still have far too much power at the Roar.

It has been that way since Postecoglou left 10 months ago and several members of the Brisbane squad remain in a dangerous comfort zone.

Mulvey's recruiting strategy since arriving in December should also be questioned.

Postecoglou would not have let Julius Doe leave the Victory if he was the real deal.

Thus far, the teenager has not given any reason to suggest he's a better attacking option than former Roar pair Rocky Visconte and Anthony Proia.

The jury is also out on Dutch playmaker Stef Nijland.

Mulvey originally said he wanted another striker to put pressure on Besart Berisha, but quickly backtracked after Berisha privately expressed his unhappiness at Mulvey calling him out. So in the end, Mulvey opted for Nijland, a player to "complement" Berisha.

But their combination is yet to work and time is running out for a Roar side still in desperate need of some attacking thrust.
 

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