Brisbane Roar are enjoying their share of top spot on the Hyundai A-League ladder after a hard-fought 1-0 win over the Wellington Phoenix, and in a warning to rival clubs coach Ange Postecoglou promises the best is yet to come.
With 12 new signings teething problems were expected of Brisbane in the early stages of the 2010/11 season, but after drawing with the Gold Coast and beating Sydney and Wellington, the Roar have shot out of the gates, going undefeated against of three of last season’s top four teams.
Well-pleased with his team’s start, Postecoglou says not only did the Roar show they had the mental-steel to match their high-quality football, but as the side continues to gel there will be further improvements ahead.
“We had to fight in the end a little bit.”
“It’s not just about playing good football, you’ve got to show some real resilience and I thought we did that this week.”
“While I was always confident that we’d do well this year, I think a good start just gives you a foundation to move on.
“I think we can play better and I think we will play better,” said Postecoglou.
With their shut-out of Wellington, Brisbane remain the only side in the A-League yet to concede a goal and while their attacking flair is understandably drawing attention, the Roar’s unblemished defensive record is what pleases Postecoglou most.
“We don’t expect to just dominate teams for 90 minutes every game.”
“It’s just as important for me what we do when we need to defend and work hard and I thought that was the most pleasing thing tonight,” he said.
In the 2009/10 A-League season Brisbane turned in six clean sheets. Three games into this season and they’re halfway to matching that total, and while it has taken a collective effort, understandably much of the praise is falling on accomplished gloveman Michael Theoklitos.
A former Hyundai A-League Goalkeeper of the Year with Melbourne, Theoklitos has been a rock for Brisbane in the opening rounds, and after earning Man of the Match honours against the Phoenix, the Brisbane No.1 received some much deserved praise from Postecoglou.
“He’s been good, Michael. From my point of view he’s meeting expectations. I knew he was a good goalkeeper, and more than that he’s a real good presence on and off the field.”
“Keepers get judged by clean sheets, and three clean sheets is a pretty good effort. He was fantastic tonight,” said Postecoglou.
For his part, the likeable Theoklitos is happy to share the credit and at the post-match press conference he did his utmost to spread the positive attention.
“The boys in front of me have been tremendous, but not just the boys in front of me, the boys in attack. They start the hard work and close the opposition down,” he said.
