Melbourne Victory

Juan Mata is in a race against the clock to play in Melbourne Victory's A-League Men finals campaign after undergoing surgery on his arm.

A masterclass from Juan Mata highlighted the A-League weekend, while a keeper howler spelt the end of Giancarlo Italiano's time at the Nix.

Newcastle's stunning A-League success may have left Football Australia in a bind, while Sydney FC's visa spots continue to be wasted. That and more in this week's A-League Stocks.

Signing a Socceroos star gunning for a place at the World Cup? That's sound business from Macarthur, according to Joey Lynch. So how did all the A-League clubs fare in January?

Clayton Taylor's stocks soared with a fine hat trick for the Jets, but it's Michael Valkanis' post-game outburst that has the Roar in the firing line.

Sydney FC let their football do the talking on Saturday, dishing out a 4-1 humbling to crosstown rivals the Western Sydney Wanderers.

Juan Mata led Melbourne Victory to a 4-0 humbling of Sydney FC, while City got walloped 6-2. All that and more in this week's A-League Men stocks.

Alen Stajcic's time in Western Sydney has come to an end, while Craig Goodwin reminded everyone -- especially Socceroos boss Tony Popovic -- of his class.

The Central Coast Mariners are dealing with issues on and off the field. Meanwhile Perth put in the most dominant performance of the new Adam Griffiths era.

The A-League's new era of austerity has forced the competition to become something of a show window. So, who'll follow in the footsteps of Jordy Bos and Nestory Irankunda this January?