Frustrated by his side’s ‘worst performance’ for the 2009/10 A-League season, Brisbane Roar coach Frank Farina has opted for a change in formation for Saturday’s clash against the Newcastle Jets.
Reinaldo has been promoted off the bench and will start up front alongside Dutchman Sergio van Dijk, with the side set to use a 4-4-2 structure with a diamond midfield.
Farina has also looked to re-jig his charges on the park.
Midfielder Danny Tiatto will drop back to the left side of defence while central defender Bob Malcolm will now be the holding man in the middle.
Injury-cover signing Ivan Franjic will also make his Hyundai A-League debut, with midfielder David Dodd dumped from the squad and winger Robbie Kruse no longer a part of the club.
Farina was still reeling from last weekend’s 1-1 draw with North Queensland.
“Last week was most probably our worst performance, and you’re going to get that,” Farina said.
“Hopefully that’s out of the way and we can move on and start to play as we can.”
“Last season we played on occasions with 4-4-2 and we’ll be trying that again tomorrow … we can revert to two wingers as well – if we need to or want to.”
The former Qantas Socceroos mentor was hopeful van Dijk and Reinaldo, who will be starting together for the first time this season, would be able to produce big things together.
“Unfortunately with Reinaldo’s injury, we haven’t had the opportunity for him to team up with Serg.”
“It’s certainly something I was thinking about a long time ago, but we just haven’t had the opportunities.”
Farina was likewise confident that Malcolm’s fitness levels and general skills would at the right level for the Roar’s engine room.
“Bob is an excellent passer of the ball, he’s comfortable on the ball – and he’ll play that holding midfield role – with Mitch (Nichols), Henrique and Charlie (Miller) … our go-forward guys.”
“Bob’s got a role to do, and he’s got all the attributes to do it well.”
The match will be the last chance for Nichols, Tommy Oar and Luke DeVere to make an impact before the Young Socceroos trio depart for a training camp ahead of the FIFA Under-20 World Cup.
