By Olympic1957 - 14 Apr 2010 9:46 AM
http://www.nswpl.com.au/index.php?id=554&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=3609&tx_ttnews[backPid]=537&cHash=150b38cbf1
An upbeat Manly United coach Phil Moss believes his inconsistent side is headed for another successful season despite sitting outside the Top Five after seven rounds.
The club has recently suffered two consecutive defeats against NSW Premier League rivals West Sydney Berries and South Coast Wolves over the past fortnight.
The peninsula side went down 1-0 to the Wolves at Cromer Park on Sunday despite enjoying the lion’s share of possession and chances.
It followed just a week after Moss’ men suffered a demoralising defeat at the hands of the Berries which saw them down 2-0 within the first 15 minutes to claw their back to a narrow 3-2 loss.
Moss said this period was character building for his charges.
“We are used to getting off to flying starts over the past three seasons and this has been anything but,” Moss said.
“But there are reasons – rather than excuses – for it that everyone inside the dressing room is aware of and we know we have to stick together and work hard to turn things around.
“We were all bitterly disappointed after the Berries game because we let ourselves down.
“But the performance against South Coast was much improved and we should have had at least three or four goals but for some outstanding goalkeeping by their ‘keeper Brody Crane. He just had one of those days between the sticks.
“And then we fell for the sucker punch with their goal late on.
“It happens in football and there is no point beating yourself up about it – you just have to move forward and have the belief in yourself and those around you.
“My players know how much belief I have in them and I know they are very dangerous when they are hurting – and believe me they are hurting.”
The return to first team action of strikers Robbie Cattanach, Craig Midgley, Joey Gibbs, Justin Hayward and Adam Foti is a massive bonus for the club with big games against Bonnyrigg, Marconi, Sutherland and Sydney United coming up to complete the first round.
The long-time Manly United boss believes game time together is the only answer.
“Guys like Cattanach, Midgley and Gibbs haven’t played a lot of football till now but the more they play the better they are getting and the combinations will start to return,” Moss said.
“The chances we created against South Coast were good chances at the end of quality phases of football so things are starting to look up. We just have to finish our chances now and we will then be capable of going on a run.
“We have big games coming up now and they are the games that this group of players relish so there is no one coming up in Bonnyrigg, Marconi, Sutherland or Sydney United that we fear.
“It’s quite the opposite – we can’t wait to meet the challenge head-on!”
Another piece of the jigsaw – albeit at the other end of the park – is close to a return with experienced former Socceroo defender Luke Casserly on the comeback from a hamstring injury.
Casserly, who came out of retirement to pull on a Manly United jersey this year, has been sidelined for the past month and Moss admits his loss has been keenly felt.
“’Cruncher’ is so vital to us because he is that experienced head at the back that holds things together,” Moss said.
“Our other centre halves are all good players in their own right but having a Casserly next to them takes them to that next level.
“Luke is close to a return and it will be great to have him back on board. He is such a professional and has been fantastic around the dressing room despite being injured.”
Manly United take on Bonnyrigg at the Serbian Centre on Saturday night with the hosts suffering a last-round loss to Blacktown City.
Brian Brown has assembled a squad that most are tipping as title favourites but Moss believes it will come down to how the players handle the pressure of favouritism that will count most.
“’Bomber’ is very experienced at this level and knows how to win things and what players he needs to achieve that,” Moss said.
“But the Bonnyrigg players – being at the club they are at with the history it has – are under pressure every week and last week’s loss would have increased that pressure.
“We will go there with a nothing to lose attitude but we love playing their. It’s a fantastic surface with a great atmosphere on a Saturday night.
“My players are champing at the bit to get out there so it should be a cracker of a game.”
Manly United tackle the Bonnyrigg White Eagles at the Bonnyrigg Sports Club with kick-off set for 7pm.
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By sasha - 14 Apr 2010 10:11 PM
da640 wrote:sasha wrote:da640 wrote:south coast wolves are getting 500 hundred or more to home games. However it is still really poor but the club has suffered from extremely poor leadership the last few years, this year after unification of Football south coast, the club is back on track and will build slowly. the club is farked the committee is holding the members to ransom, if i knew what was going to happen this year i would not have paid my membership. i will never watch them again unification is a joke Edited by sasha: 14/4/2010 12:36:14 PM the unification has been good for the other 6 or so associations that used to be illawarra. Its just some of the same morons are still involved with the wolves. But the new coach is good because he is not just a mate of a board member.
yes he is good and seems to be doing a good job
but the committee are a discrace
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