As he returns to full training this week, Roar marquee player Thomas Broich has stressed the importance of the club’s next three pre-season matches, starting against Newcastle Jets FC at Cleveland on Saturday (kick-off 2pm).
The German playmaker has been sidelined with deep bruising to his right foot after he was felled in a wild tackle in the first half of the Roar’s Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32 tie against Western Sydney Wanderers FC last month.
Broich is hoping to get some game time in Saturday’s match against the Jets to get his own pre-season preparations back on track.
“Getting injured is not ideal but it is the nature of the game . . . better now than later in the season,” Broich said.
“It is about getting fitness in the legs and catching up with the boys.”
But Broich added that the bigger focus this weekend was for the Roar to give a squad-wide strong showing against Hyundai A-League opposition.
“We can’t expect to just turn it on come the first game of the season,” he said.
“We have to continually improve and show that we are improving. It’s got to happen on the training ground every day and in these next three pre-season games.
“We have to consistently be at our best.”
After the Jets, the Roar play the PS4NPLQld Under-23 All-Stars at QSAC Nathan, Saturday, 19 September (kick-off 4.30pm) and Central Coast Mariners at Sunshine Coast Stadium, Saturday, 26 September (kick-off 7pm).
The Roar’s first game of the Hyundai A-League season is against the Wanderers at Pirtek Stadium on Thursday, 8 October.
The first home game is against the Mariners at Suncorp Stadium, Sunday, 18 October (kick-off 4pm).
While Broich had an interrupted season in 2014/15, having to undergo ankle surgery in January, he said he had not set himself any personal targets for the 2015/16 season.
“It is not about my personal goals or what I may, or may not, achieve,” Broich said.
“I want us to be the best football team we can potentially be and create an environment where I can contribute to that as much as I can.
“If you score 15 goals and your team plays rubbish, then there is no point. I want us to be successful as a team and every player does as well as they possibly can.”
Broich was a spectator at Southport last week when the Roar’s new No.9 Jamie Maclaren knocked in eight goals in a 10-0 win over the Gold Coast All-Stars.
The experienced German was impressed, but just as quick to put things into perspective.
“I have every confidence in Jamie, he is a very talented guy. He makes smart runs, he’s got a good finishing touch,” Broich said.
“But we need to be patient with him and not to get too excited.
“Pre-season is pre-season. I don’t want to take anything away from any player but if you peak now it means nothing.
“What we are doing now is laying the foundation . . . every player has to show what they can do for the club over the whole season. That is how we will be successful again.”
Redland City Council today confirmed it had come on board as a major sponsor of Saturday’s match. The Council support, along with the support of Redlands United FC, has ensured admission to the match is FREE.
