North Queensland Fury coach Franz Straka admits the continued uncertainty surrounding the A-League club’s future is taking a big toll on his young side.
Speaking after Fury’s 2-0 loss to the Melbourne Heart at AAMI Park, the charismatic Czech says life for those at the Townsville-based club hasn’t been easy as they wait for the green light past this season.
“No-one knows what’s happening,” Straka said.
“The boys come to me and ask always that they want to know what-s happening with the club. It is hard to explain to them (we don-t know).”
Straka re-affirmed his commitment to the Fury-s cause, saying if the club survives for a third season in 2011-12, he wants to remain at the club.
“I can promise you if we survive, the Fury will be a much better team,” Straka said.
But Straka will more than likely have to rebuild North Queensland from the ground up as his top goalkeeper Justin Pasfield, bustling striker Chris Payne and midfielder Isaka Cernak are already confirmed as departures when the season ends.
“Nobody wants to wait too long (to find out) if we are to exist or not,” Straka said.
“(Some boys) already have some offers – Pasfield, Payne and Cernak, it is a very critical point (to find out) if we exist or not.”
The Heart loss means Fury remains second-bottom on the HAL table, one point ahead of Sydney FC, with Straka lamenting his side’s inability to convert chances as pivotal in the final wash-up.
“The big chance from Chris Payne was the critical moment of the game,” Straka said.
“All season has been the same problem for us, every game we have a lot of chances, but the problem is we didn-t score.”
“We missed a better final pass (today) and creativity in the midfield. Heart’s experience was a big difference, we have a young squad and what we need is more experience. But we have to respect the Heart they had the good chances (today).”
One man that stood tall for Fury was English defender Mark Hughes, who earned glowing praise from Straka.
“I think Mark Hughes is the leader of the team, he’s the most important player for us, but he’s also young, 22 years old,” Straka said.
“He has a big future and big quality – he did the best for us today and has been very good for us off the field as well.”
