Brisbane Roar coach Ange Postecoglou has promised to deliver an attacking style of football where ever his side play, starting this Sunday against Newcastle Jets at EnergyAustralia Stadium.
After a short road trip to the Gold Coast and two home games in a row, this weekend marks the first ‘real- away trip for Brisbane and Postecoglou made it clear his side won-t take a conservative approach into the game.
“I don-t think we can be with the type of players we-ve got and we don-t want to be,” Postecoglou said.
“Everywhere we go we-ll take the game to them and it means we take some risks but we-re prepared for that and that-s the kind of team we want to be.
“I-m sure we-ll get bitten on the bum a couple of times this year but at the same time I think if we can keep our quality of play up more often than not, we-ll get the right result.”
After back-to-back wins at home, the former Young Socceroos coach said it was just as important to collect the three points on the road.
Over the past few seasons Brisbane has had an excellent away record, but Postecoglou said that counted for little as he takes his new-look side on the road.
“You-ve got to pick up the points away from home to make the points you pick up at home count even more,” he said.
“We-ve got to go down there to get a result definitely.
“We haven-t hit that period yet when all the midweek games start and that-s when it-s really going to test out teams and squad depths.”
Brisbane is yet to concede a goal or lose this season and excluding Ivan Franjic (quad) and Luke Brattan (virus), Postecoglou has almost a full squad to select from ahead of the clash with the Jets.
With new boy Jean-Carlo Solorzano a chance to travel and Massimo Murdocca to come off the bench, the Roar mentor said wasn-t a bad situation to be in.
“When the team is playing well, everyone wants to play which is a good position to be in,” he said.
“From our point of view, it-s just about managing the situation so that we can continue to have depth because we-re obviously going to need it at some stage.”
Despite the Newcastle side being without a win in their past nine outings, Postecoglou maintained his focus on his team.
“We expect it to be a tough game for sure and I guess from our point of view, we-ve just got to keeo the momentum going that we-ve built up so far,” he said.
“Any points we get are going to be vital.
“I think the teams that pick up more points away will be successful, particularly this early in the season.”
Newcastle Jets v Brisbane Roar
Sunday, 5 September 2010
EnergyAustralia Stadium, Newcastle
Local kick-off: 3.00pm
Referee: Kris Griffiths-Jones
Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 1, FS1 HD & delayed on Sky Sports 2. Hyundai A-League club broadcast partner is 1233 ABC Newcastle. To purchase tickets visit www.ticketek.com.au
Newcastle Jets squad: 1. Ben KENNEDY (gk), 2. Taylor REGAN, 3. Adam D-APUZZO, 5. Ljubo MILICEVIC 6. Ben KANTAROVSKI 7. Kasey WEHRMAN 8. Michael BRIDGES (c), 9. Zhang SHOU, 11. Tarek ELRICH, 14. Labinot HALITI, 15. Sean ROONEY 16. Jeremy BROCKIE, 17. Marcello FIORENTINI, 18. Marko JESIC, 19. Ali ABASS, 40. Matthew NASH
*one to be omitted*
In: Matthew NASH (new signing), Zhang SHOU (returns from injury), Marcello FIORENTINI (promoted)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Brodie MOOY (not selected), Kaz PATAFTA (hamstring – 1 week), Neil YOUNG (illness – indefinite), Nikolai TOPOR STANLEY (hamstring – 1 week), Ruben ZADKOVICH (hamstring – 1 week), Sash PETROVSKI (not selected), Jobe WHEELHOUSE (hamstring – 1 week)
Brisbane Roar squad: 1. Michael THEOKLITOS (gk), 2. Matt SMITH, 3. Luke DEVERE, 4. Shane STEFANUTTO, 6. Erik PAARTALU, 7. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 8. Massimo MURDOCCA, 9. Jean Carlos SOLORZANO, 10. HENRIQUE, 11. REINALDO, 12. Matt MUNDY, 14. Rocky VICSCONTE, 15. Matt McKAY (c), 17. Mitch NICHOLS, 20. Andrew REDMAYNE, 22. Thomas BROICH, 23. Milan SUSAK
*two to be omitted*
In: 9. Jean Carlos SOLORZANO (promoted), 12. Matt MUNDY (promoted), 14. Rocky VISCONTE (promoted).
Out: Nil
Unavailable: 5. Ivan FRANJIC (quad strain – 1-2 weeks), 18. Luke BRATTAN (virus)
Head-to-Head: All matches (played 16): Newcastle Jets wins 7, Brisbane Roar wins 6 (3 draws)
