The Scouting Report: APIA Leichhardt Tigers 2013 Season Preview

The senior squad will have a new manager in charge with Englishman Gary Ward pulling the strings as the likes of experienced campaigners Franco Parisi, Michael West and Stephen Kayes will all look towards a strong finish this season.
The Team: APIA-Leichhardt Tigers start its 2013 campaign eager to commence right from where 2012 finished. The Tigers have in fact started both of the past two seasons slowly, however the second part of both seasons have been exceptional, the side twice falling, only just, short of finals football.
2013 sees a new coach at the club with a new philosophy, one that the playing group appears to have captured with open arms.
Senior players Michael West and Franco Parisi will again play major roles in assisting the new boss with his role, the latter very happy with the pre-season to-date.
A good mix of youth in the group, with the experience across the park of Adel El Jamal, Stephen Kayes, Michael West and new signing Keith Shevlin, the club and its supporters can have every hope of giving the season a good shake.
One player that will be sure to catch the eye of many is the big frame of French striker Gerard Ouffoue who has already been amongst the goals during the Tigers’ Pre-season Cup campaign.
Also, a late signing but former Rockdale City Suns and Sydney FC National Youth League keeper Ryan Norval will also strengthen the Tigers’ outfit at the back.
Despite the inconsistent run of results in the Pre-Season Cup – most alarmingly was the loss against Sydney United 58 FC – the Tigers did display some very positive showings against South Coast Wolves and Sutherland Sharks, auguring well for the opening round of the season.
The Coach: Englishman Gary Ward has been signed as head coach for APIA-Leichhardt Tigers this season. Boasting an impressive ‘CV’ from his playing days in England and the North American Soccer League, Ward vested the jerseys of Preston Lions, Melbourne Knights, Brunswick Juventus, West Adelaide Sharks and APIA-Leichhardt Tigers in the mid-80s.
A striker in his playing days, Ward is looking to implement a positive, attacking style of football at Lambert Park this season. The Pre-Season Cup has seen the Tigers collect some indifferent results, though the emphasis is strictly on being ready for the opening round of the season.
Player to watch: Apart from playmaker Franco Parisi and captain Michael West to lead the Tigers this season, midfielder David D’Apuzzo will be another talent to keep a close eye on. Returning from an injury that all but ended his 2012 season, the talented midfielder is ready for a big return.
A massive engine in the Tigers midfield, D’Apuzzo has a hunger to win the ball and an equally impressive ability on it. Speed and finesse, in addition to an ability to score goals, make D’Apuzzo one of the big talents, not only in the Tigers squad, but in the entire competition.
Rising Star: Right-sided defender Brendan Reilly made an impressive debut last season, and the 21-year-old is primed for more success in 2013. A very fit and aggressive defender, Reilly boasts a great reading of the game, matched with some fine man-marking skills.
In what is arguably an important season for the club – in anticipation of the works to take place at Lambert Park – expect to see Reilly figure prominently for the Tigers this season.
Also look towards the rise of striker Nicola Taneski who caught the eye of many during his season with Sydney FC’s National Youth League side.
2013 squad: Ryan Norval, Mark Byrnes, Adel El Jamal, Brendan Reilly, Michael West, Stephen Kayes,Gerard Ouffoue, Franco Parisi, Keith Shevlin, David D’Apuzzo, George Khoury, Brad Bartels, Sean Symons, Clayton Musumeci, Nikola Taneski, Adam Raciti, Joshua Symons, Anthony Costa