THE SNIPER’S WEEKLY FOOTBALL GOLD COAST REPORT

Every Saturday’s Bulletin

A GOOD SIGNING – NOT GREAT

When looking at the defenders on offer in the Premier League, Kazuma Kobayashi’s decision to sign for Nerang might look like a great coup for the Eagles. Because of the overall landscape of the league it may prove to be the case but the Japanese defender has flaws teams will exploit. Coach Dave Benigno is building a wall at the back but will the Eagles be able to score goals?

GLOSS FADING FOR UNITED

Gold Coast United blew teams out of the water early on, making key major signings in the early stages of the off-season. However, with some players already jumping ship, has the gloss and glamour of the club’s resurgence under Kristian Rees started to fade? Unless the club can surprise the community with some more top-drawer players, the current crop may struggle with the demands of a long NPL season.

CLUB MERGER ON THE CARDS

Two Gold Coast clubs have been in deep negotiations over a possible merger as early as 2020. It is rumoured that the two wanted to make the deal happen for 2019 but the senior component of the merge complicated the process. If these two clubs were to join, it would potentially create a “super club” in all forms of the game. Watch this space.

MERRIMAC SET TO RETURN

After the unit development proposed on the grounds of Merrimac FC fell through, there is really no doubt that the club will return in 2020. At what capacity and to what level is still unknown but it would not surprise anyone if the Macs were to come back stronger than ever. Would anyone be surprised if they won a Premier League title in 2021? I definitely would not be surprised.