We’re taking a strong squad to McDonald Jones Stadium for Sunday afternoon’s Hyundai A-League clash against the Jets.
After having their game time last week against the Reds reduced due to slight injuries, both Adam Taggart and Eric Bautheac are part of John Aloisi’s 18-man squad for the trip to Newcastle.
Aloisi stressed that both Taggart and Bautheac will be given every chance to prove their fitness.
“Eric pulled up well from his knock, the swelling went down, and he’s trained fully this week,” Aloisi said.
“Adam’s been building nicely, we’ll see how he goes [at training] and we will make a call closer to the game.”
“He’s [Taggart] progressing well.”
Despite a slow start to the season by last year’s runners-up, Head Coach John Aloisi and the Roar squad are still weary of a dangerous Jets outfit but will be well prepared and ready for Sunday’s challenge.
“They [Newcastle] are still a very dangerous side. We know they have some good players and can hit you quickly on the break,” Aloisi said.
“We have to make sure we’re switched on defensively, even when we have the ball.
“We enjoy going to Newcastle. In the past, Brisbane Roar has always seemed to perform well down in Newcastle and picked up the points.
“We are looking forward to this game.”
The Jets attacking third will be missing their notable marquee Venezuelan Ronald Vargas, who has been ruled out with injury.
However, the Roar don’t plan on taking a backward step or a different approach to claim the points in Newcastle according to Brisbane’s Head Coach.
“Our preparation doesn’t change, we still set up and attack them the same,” Aloisi stated.
“We know he [Vargas] is a good player and it’s better for him not to be in the side then for him to be in the side from our point of view.
“They still have other quality players. The main thing is that we play to our structures and the way we know how to play.”
Brisbane will be particularly keen to pick up three points on Sunday after their dramatic 2-1 loss to Adelaide last Friday night, from which Aloisi believes his side deserved plenty more.
“The disappointing thing about the Adelaide game was not getting any points,” Aloisi added.
“We showed in Adelaide that we aren’t afraid to attack even away from home and cause teams trouble.”
A Brisbane victory this round would see the Roar earn a second win of the season and remain in the 2018/19 top 6.
MATCH DETAILS
Hyundai A-League 2018/19 – Round 7: Newcastle Jets v Brisbane Roar
McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Sunday, 9 December (4:00pm KO)
Newcastle Jets squad: 1.Glen MOSS (gk), 3.Jason HOFFMAN, 4.Nigel BOOGAARD (c), 5.Ben KANTAROVSKI, 6.Steven UGARKOVIC, 7.Dimi PETRATOS, 8.Jair, 11.Mitch AUSTIN, 13.Ivan VUJICA, 14.Kaine SHEPPARD, 16.Nick COWBURN, 17.Daniel GEORGIEVSKI, 18.Johnny KOUTROUMBIS, 20.Lewis ITALIANO (gk), 23.Matthew RIDENTON, 32.Angus THURGATE, 44.Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY **one to be omitted**
Ins: 8.Jair (return from injury), 11.Mitch AUSTIN (promoted), 14.Kaine SHEPPARD (return from injury)
Outs: 10.Ronald VARGAS (injury – groin), 22.Lachlan JACKSON (injury – nose)
Unavailable: 9.Roy O’DONOVAN (suspension – 2 rounds), 24.Joe CHAMPNESS (foot – TBC)
Brisbane Roar FC squad: 1.Brendan WHITE (gk), 2.Dane INGHAM, 4.Daniel BOWLES, 6.Avram PAPADOPOULOS, 7.Thomas KRISTENSEN, 8.Jacob PEPPER, 9.Adam TAGGART, 11.Eric BAUTHEAC, , 14.Alex LOPEZ, 15.Stefan NIGRO, 17.Matt MCKAY (c), 19.Jack HINGERT, 21.Jamie YOUNG (gk), 22.Tobias MIKKELSEN, 23.Dylan WENZEL-HALLS, 24.Connor O’TOOLE, 26.Nick D’AGOSTINO, 33.HENRIQUE **two to be omitted**
Ins: 2.Dane INGHAM (promoted), 15.Stefan NIGRO (promoted), 26.Nicholas D’AGOSTINO (promoted)
Outs: 13.Stefan MAUK (suspended – 1 match)
Unavailable: 10.Brett HOLMAN (knee – TBC)
Referee: Kurt Ams
Assistant Referee 1: Ryan Gallagher
Assistant Referee 2: Matthew McOrist
Fourth Official: Adrian Arndt
VAR: Craig Zetter
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