Brisbane Roar defender Scott Neville has highlighted the togetherness of the playing squad as a key element in the team’s strong recent away record and his own outstanding form.
Neville has played almost every minute since returning to Brisbane from India, tasting defeat just once in his eight games and featuring in four wins.
Three of those have come on the road, something the tireless centre-back attributes to a tight-knit atmosphere.
“It’s a really close group,” Neville said. “You can see that on away trips. Everyone goes for coffee with everyone, everyone’s really comfortable around each other.
“If we lose certain players to injury or if they leave the team, we still manage to produce the results and we fight for each other.
“I think everyone really has that belief and spirit and we’re all buying into the culture here in Brisbane.”
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One team-mate Neville has been especially impressed with is Kai Trewin, who has gone from strength to strength in his 18 appearances this season.
Stepping up in place of the injured Tom Aldred, 19-year-old Trewin has been instrumental to the team’s success in recording three clean sheets in their past five fixtures.
“I like Kai, he’s one of my favourites since I got here two years ago now,” Neville said.
“He’s developed exceptionally, he’s worked hard on his game. I think the small details outside of football, that people don’t see, he’s really taken on board. I’ve got a lot of time for Kai and if he keeps progressing the way he is, he’ll have a good future in the game.
“He’s been exceptional the last few weeks.”
Neville and the squad will be searching for another important away win when they meet Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium on Sunday.
It will be the side’s sixth game in less than three weeks, but Neville prefers to look at the positives of the challenging fixure schedule.
“It’s a good opportunity – we’ve got a few players out at the moment and we’re having to rotate the squad. It gives a chance [to other players],” he said.
“Cyrus came on the other day, Alex Parsons has been doing well, young Kai has been playing exceptionally, and Danny Kim got his first minutes [of the season] the other day.
“It’s a collective unit, a team effort here, so we’re going to need everyone.”
