Brisbane Roar returned to pre-season training yesterday eight weeks after their historic Grand Final win over Western Sydney Wanderers with Head Coach Mike Mulvey directing a clear message to his players – it’s all about evolving.
Brisbane Roar returned to pre-season training yesterday eight weeks after their historic Grand Final win over Western Sydney Wanderers with Head Coach Mike Mulvey directing a clear message to his players – it-s all about evolving.
The three-time Champions have a season campaign ahead with not only their Hyundai A-League title defence on the cards but another foray into Asia with the AFC Champions League as well as the inaugural FFA Cup campaign.
Mulvey said it was important to evolve their playing style to ensure continued success.
“It-s all about evolving and I think that-s really important for a football club,” the Brisbane boss said.
“You can-t stand still, because we-ve got a big target on our chest this year as the champions.
“I got asked last week at a charity function in Melbourne, what can you tell us about last season? And I said, I-ve got one word for you – history. That-s all it is.
“Our challenge now is to back up and do it again.”
The Roar drew reigning National Premier Leagues Western Australia premiers Stirling Lions for their FFA Cup Round of 32 match and will travel to Macedonia Park in Perth for the highly-anticipated encounter on Tuesday, 19 August.
As well as focusing on the developing the emerging youth players at the club, Mulvey said the FFA Cup would provide him with another opportunity to have a look at previously unseen talent.
“I expect to see some good talent from the teams that are playing from the state leagues and NPLs,” Mulvey said.
“We might be able to pick up somebody from there so we-re in no rush [to finalise our squad].
“We-ve also identified five youth players from last season and we want to give an opportunity to.
“That-s what this club is big on and we want to make sure give opportunities to our own, those players we-ve developed.”
With exactly seven weeks until their FFA Cup match, Mulvey and his coaching staff – including new assistant coach Ron Smith – will be busy preparing the squad for the Stirling Lions fixture.
