As every year, the winter transfer window is an opportunity for the end of each team’s improvements: to fix what did not go, to strengthen what is possible, and most importantly – to come out with renewed energies towards the last straight in the league. So it is true that the very existence of the league at the moment is in some doubt, and the window will surely be affected by it, and yet – with the requisite caution, it seems possible to find a direction: we have chosen five teams, and the desires of each for the month that may change everything.
Maccabi Haifa: In one word? depth
In many words: the team that went through, by all accounts, a (almost) perfect first round does not need a lot of corrections in the lineup. Overall – he runs quite nicely: Josh Cohen demonstrates good ability at goal, Bogdan Planic is progressing well as a stopper (despite the not-so-good opening), Cherry and Rokavica – what more could you ask for? But Haifa’s main problem is the lack of a support staff. Barak Bachar, in many games, looked back at the bench – and did not really see anyone there (with all due respect to Godsway Donio or Stav Nachmani, these are not players with whom they run for the championship). This is the biggest weakness point against Maccabi Tel Aviv, which comes to this struggle with two good players for every position. And that will be the main goal of the Greens – to enrich the staff, including the lineup, to produce more options.
Signing a noble Omar for example (and ignoring, for a moment, the other aspects of this move) will open up possibilities on the wings – take someone down from a wildcat or a firecracker to the bench, which will allow much more room for maneuver. The same goes for the possibility of a right-back, or another attacking player who will allow a little more air for Rokavica – who plays all the time, at a higher pace than ever before. Regarding the weight of Reuven Atar’s famous statement, Maccabi Haifa needs a “fuel supplement”, even if its car drives well.
Maccabi Tel Aviv: In one word? protection
In many words: True, the relative abandonment from the time of Yorgos Donis has calmed down in the meantime in the time of Patrick Van Levon, but in the three games (as of this writing) – one was against Kiryat Shmona and was decided deep in overtime, one was in a derby against an opponent in historic offensive low, And one is Maccabi Petah Tikva, which could have scored several goals and missed due to bad luck. The key of Ivica’s Maccabi Tel Aviv, a team that will be remembered in history, was at its back – and the key of Maccabi to return to a situation where that team (or at least close to what it was) passes through the defensive squad.
Although Amador is not with us and Geralds has already returned, strengthening these positions is the most desirable thing – along with Tibi and Saborit who continue to be good. The attack will work out – it even scored more than in the same period last year (25 this season, 21 last season after 14 rounds). The defense was the weak point, and it is the thing that Maccabi will have to overcome, in order to try and return to the championship fight.
Betar Jerusalem: In one word? Seder
In many words: the Jerusalem club has always been known as the one whose “chaos” is its middle name (long before “Cellcom”, “Resido” or “Rain”), one that lived from noise, commotion, mental turmoil. But when Betar succeeded, she always knew how to balance it with meticulousness and order on the field. Not just the greatest coach in the history of Betar was and remains the tough Dror Kashtan – a man who believed in a certain way, and did not move an inch from it.
The current Betar is almost the opposite of the Kashtan legacy: methods change frequently, players leave and join the team frequently in the twenty-first Knesset, and Drapich and Barda – two excellent coaches – seem to have yet to find the team they want to see. January – Stability, order within the “Run & Mess” which is Betar Jerusalem, model 2020/21. How do you achieve this? Perhaps through a creative connection (Dor Micha’s name was mentioned), perhaps through reinforcement to the back with another stable figure instead of the unstable Conte.
But in any case, Betar is desperate for a stable figure on the field, who will instill confidence in the crazy offensive bunch up there. Because only when the “mess” (in the positive sense of the word) meets order and order, will Betar be able to take off as she thought. If not, she will continue to sway.
Hapoel Tel Aviv: In one word? Quiet
In many words: this text is not meant to let go of any of the people who oppose the Nisnov brothers. There is no doubt that the owner of Hapoel has a connection to the problematic situation in which the club finds itself, perhaps even too much contact. But Hapoel Tel Aviv, so it seems at least when these lines are written, is starting to get on the right track. Yes, on the way there was a derby that ended in humiliation, and it is never easy – but the right reinforcement brought, in the form of Lidor Cohen, Dan Einbinder, Shlomi Azulai and Ben Bitton (along with Gil Yitzhak who is already playing), along with Nir Klinger – should be enough for Hapoel Tel Aviv A. In its goal: to stay in the Premier League.
Now, she needs to understand that only adapting to the situation can allow her to survive. Just an understanding that relegation in any case will collapse the club again on its occupants, with no horizon, and that if the claim was that the Nisnovs are not trying to strengthen – then they are doing it now. Hapoel Tel Aviv, in the current squad it is building, can and should stay in the league – it has more than enough, considering some of its competitors (for example, a coach on the lines. Not a matter of course). The question is just how much the terrain and chaotic environment will frustrate her on the way to another season in the major leagues.
Hapoel Beer Sheva: In one word? Upgrade
In many words: in the end, the chaotic predictions about Hapoel Beer Sheva (as with quite a few teams in our league) come true. The table is always in balance, and Be’er Sheva is a top playoff team in any scenario. It does not take much to finish in the top six in our league – one Vitor is enough, and one Joshua, one Accult and maybe half Varane on offense, and you have at least fourth place (maybe even a trophy).
Still, Joshua’s ability should ignite a spark in Alona Barkat’s eyes – she has a foreign player like us that we have not seen in many years in Israeli football (and his lovers and haters alike say so). It has offensive power that other teams can dream of. This may be an opportunity that will not return for Beer Sheva to take the step forward also in terms of the top struggles. Transform from a fourth or third place group, to a second place group (and maybe even beyond that). This begs the question, is Alona Barkat even built for such a move? We’ll probably have to see that in the coming month. But it has the basic conditions for breaking forward. Now, she’s going to need a few more players to make it work.
