There were calls of ‘Warren who’ when Melbourne City wheeled out the former Wigan Athletic manager as their new head coach in June.
City, the richest club in the A-League, had indicated that they were looking for a big name with a big European pedigree. Stuart Pearce, Roy Keane and Alan Pardew were linked with the job. Instead the Victorian outfit plumped for Joyce, who’s best managerial feat came as a player-manager in 2000 when he helped Hull City avoid dropping out of the Football League, and more recently he was sacked after just 24 games with the Latics.
Even in Joyce’s first Melbourne City press conference the 53-year-old was comically asked about his lack of pedigree and background by the local press pack. But with the last round of the A-League season upon us and the finals soon to start, Joyce is having the last laugh.
It hasn’t been all roses, but with City now sitting in third on the table and primed for a strong run at the grand final, the Oldham-born coach is defying predictions.
Despite a falling out with marquee man Tim Cahill, who left the club in December, and Ross McCormack’s return to Aston Villa, City are firing. They are on a four game unbeaten run and have scored eight goals in their past four fixtures, conceding only one goal.
Joyce has blooded Daniel Arzani, one of Australia’s brightest young talents, and been rewarded. He has given the 19-year-old regular game-time and the attacking midfielder has responded with two goals and three assists in 15 appearances. Since New Year’s Day he played in every City game, either starting or off the bench, and made a big impact in the final third. Similarly the faith he has put in another 19-year-old, right back Nathaniel Atkinson, has also paid off.
The signing of former Socceroo Dario Vidosic at the end of 2017 has been crucial. Vidosic is back to his best and has bagged five goals in 14 matches. The return of Bruno Fornaroli from injury, who has been playing since February, has also been telling. The Uruguayan has scored four goals in his past five matches and is hitting his peak at the right time. City’s attack is multi-layered and no longer one-dimensional.
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With the recent collapse of Newcastle and the flaky form of Adelaide United, Western Sydney, not to mention Perth Glory and Brisbane Roar, who are fighting for the final semis spot, Melbourne City look best placed to stop Sydney FC going back-to-back. Only City and pereniial challengers Melbourne Victory appear to have the pedigree and depth to possibly match the Sky Blues in a grand final.
Beat Wellington on Saturday as expected and City will go into week one of the finals full of confidence and momentum. They should breeze past that opponent in the elimination final and then be just one game from the A-League decider.
The next month could be a very good one indeed for Warren Garton Joyce.
