Around the grounds: Jakobsen says Reds need time to perfect Verbeek’s vision

Michael Jakobsen getting out of old habits will be the key to Adelaide United successfully implementing new coach Gertjan Verbeek’s attacking philosophy.

Verbeek has been bullish since his arrival, insisting he wants his team to win by playing football like teams as Ajax and Barcelona.

It’s music to the ears of Jakobsen, who has relished the fresh ideas and system of the new boss.

And the defender says adapting quickly to the Verbeek’s methods and eliminating previous habits and movements instilled in them will take time.

“It’s going to take some time before we get used to all that because we’ve all the mechanisms that we’ve done previously and that’s on people’s minds,” he explained.

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“So we need to get that out of our heads as quick as possible and then get used to what the new coach wants.

“I’ve played in a similar system before and it’s very enjoyable when you get it done in a right way and you know how to do it.

“So hopefully we can perfect it and be really good at it so we’ll enjoy all the benefits from it.”

Noone ready to ‘show what he can do’

Melbourne City will play their first match under new boss Erick Mombaerts on Tuesday night, and new recruit Craig Noone wants to make an immediate impact.

“I’m looking forward to showing [everyone] on the pitch that I can play football,” the Englishman said.

City are taking on NPL Victoria outfit Oakleigh Cannons at Jack Edwards Reserve.

Erick Mombaerts and Craig Noone reflect on their first full week of training and the squad's first pre-season friendly on Tuesday night. pic.twitter.com/iD5EWztJID

— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) July 22, 2019

The match will take place over 40-minute thirds, with Mombaerts expected to play his strongest eleven in the first two thirds.

After two weeks of intense training, Noone is looking forward to getting some match minutes under his belt and says he’s feeling settled in his new home town.

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“Jamie [Maclaren] is looking after me, as is Jamo [Scott Jamieson] the captain and a few of the other lads have chipped in with open hands for me and the other foreign players,” the ex-Bolton flyer said.

“Everyone has made me feel very welcome, players, staff, everyone in the building. There’s a great togetherness and it’s only going too stand us in good stead for the season.”

Fowler’s Roar squad hit the road

Brisbane Roar are stepping up their pre-season schedule, with a week-long training camp in Gladstone ahead of a third friendly clash this weekend.

Robbie Fowler’s side have already enjoyed two pre-season wins over the last two weekends, beating both Redlands United and Brisbane City 3-0 in promising hit-outs.

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They will take on a Football Central Queensland Select XI on Saturday following a week of intense training, as well as community events including coaching clinics and school visits.

“We’ve got a few clinics at schools and similar visits which is really good to get out in the community,” midfielder Aiden O’Neill told Roar’s official website.

“We’re the only [Hyundai] A-League team in Queensland so it’s a good opportunity to go out and represent ourselves as well in the right way.

“It’s huge for the local community.”

This weekend’s clash is crucial ahead of the club’s FFA Cup 2019 Round of 32 fixture against Sydney FC on Wednesday, August 7.