LIKE every other player and fan, Gold Coast United’s James Brown is chomping at the bit for the start of the Hyundai A-League next weekend.
LIKE every other player and fan, Gold Coast United-s James Brown is chomping at the bit for the start of the Hyundai A-League next weekend.
After what has seemed like one of the longest pre-season campaigns in living memory, Brown is fit and raring to go in what he plans to be his best season yet.
Blessed with pace to burn, a deft touch and the uncanny knack of sneaking into goalscoring positions, Brown is one member of United-s young brigade who can really make an impression this term.
Already an established member of the first team group, he is focussed on cementing a starting place in Miron Bleiberg-s side, but knows it won-t be easy.
“We-ve made plenty of good signings over the off-season so competition for places in this team is as high as it-s ever been. The squad is solid and we have a lot of depth, so my goal is to get a starting place and keep hold of it,” he said.
“Playing and starting as many games as possible is one of my goals for the season, as well as staying injury-free because that-s something I haven-t managed to do in the last couple of years.
“This pre-season I-ve been relatively free of injury apart from the normal niggles that every player gets. I-m on top of those little niggles now and I haven-t missed many training sessions this year.
“I-m feeling pretty fit as a result and hopefully I can go into this coming season in the best possible shape. My confidence is high and I-ve managed to score a few goals in pre-season as well, so the first game can-t come fast enough for me.
“It-s been a long preparation time as everyone has said, and it-s been pretty full-on as well. With only a week and a half to go before the first game the training sessions are picking up in intensity because we-re really excited about the league starting again.”
Brown has fond memories of playing against Wellington from last season, making it onto the scoresheet in both matches at Skilled Park as well as having a major influence on the 3-3 rain-soaked draw in round two.
Taking a huge amount of confidence from his previous performances against the Kiwis, he is naturally keen to continue the trend.
“I-ve been lucky enough to have some good games against Wellington and I-ve managed to score a couple of goals as well, so naturally I-m hoping to be in the squad for the opener on October 9th.
“The game in the downpour over there was a good one for me and it was one of the first games that I started in. I thought I did pretty well and grew in confidence because I felt I was up to Hyundai A-League standard and every young player needs that confidence boost,” he said.
