Bleiberg talks, but so do results

The annoyance generated by the perceived arrogance of newcomers Gold Coast United is understandable, but for as long as they retain their perfect A-League record they'll say whatever they want, writes Marc Fox.

A-League.

You have to wonder at the barrage likely to head the Gold Coast's way should they lose a match in this, their debut season.

Three straight victories against Brisbane Roar, North Queensland Fury and Adelaide United, on Friday night, proves the club are intent on realising owner Clive Palmer's prediction they will win the title at their first attempt without losing a game.

Before seeing his side ruthlessly dispatch Adelaide at Hindmarsh, Palmer had angered locals by forecasting a 4-0 cakewalk for his star-studded outfit.

As it was two was enough to outclass the 2007 AFC Champions League finalists, with striker Shane Smeltz's sixth goal in three games setting the obvious result in motion.

"Certainly for the first 60 minutes, absolutely," Adelaide coach Aurelio Vidmar responded when asked whether his team had been outclassed.

Vidmar had been as the centre of a heated exchange between Gold Coast coach Miron Bleiberg and Adelaide assistant Phil Stubbins in the build-up.

Bleiberg, although later claiming he had been misquoted, was reported to have branded Vidmar an average A-League coach (Vidmar is the reigning coach-of-the-year).

Unimpressed Englishman Stubbins fumed in retaliation that Bleiberg was a "professional talker" and said anyone could lead a cashed-up Gold Coast side featuring current national team midfielder Jason Culina and forward Joel Porter as well as Smeltz (who was linked with a move back to Adelaide when he left Wellington last year) to the championship.

Stubbins, who had worked under Bleiberg in the former national soccer league, was merely the latest to snap at the Coast's showboating.

Smeltz, the German-born Gold Coast-raised New Zealand international, has stolen the headlines, particularly after scoring four times - including three in 10 second-half minutes - past dejected state rivals North Queensland in round two.

The 27-year-old is the reigning A-League player-of-the-year and holds the Golden Boot after last season scoring 12 times in 20 appearances for the struggling Phoenix.

There was always a hint that Smeltz was simply the star of a below average Wellington squad which finished bottom and sixth in their two seasons with the All Whites international leading the line.

But his explosive start in Gold Coast colours has seen Smeltz tipped to break the magical 20 goals in this year's expanded 27-round competition.

The only worry, and it's a realistic one, is that an offer of a mere $300,000 (£150,000) would trigger an escape clause after the first year of his three-year deal.

Bleiberg's side have already suffered the significant disruption of losing Socceroo Adam Griffiths to Saudi side Al-Shabab after just one senior game since joining from Newcastle.

The ill-timed exit of Griffiths, twin of Beijing Guoan's Joel and brother of Ryan, perhaps hints at Bleiberg's capabilities more than his constant verbosity.

Descriptions of the former Queensland Roar coach vary - 'colourful character' seems most often used - and sure he has decorated former Socceroos captain Paul Okon as his right-hand man and Palmer's billions at his disposal.

But Bleiberg hasn't quibbled about the raid from Al-Shabab, instead setting about proving he can extract the most from players overlooked for A-League contracts at other clubs.

Winger Steve Fitzsimmons, also a goalscorer against Adelaide, was not offered permanent terms at the Roar after a trial but has grabbed his second opportunity in the big time with grateful fingers.

Zenon Caravella and Kristian Rees are notable others enjoying an A-League renaissance under Bleiberg.

Whatever his madcap public image, results really do talk.

"They gave us a bit of a lesson at times," said Vidmar.

"They remind me of Melbourne last season - and they went on to win the title."

Brisbane Roar.

Marc Fox



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