After conceding eight goals in two weeks, Gold Coast centre-back Bas Van Den Brink has declared his side is ready to sure up its defence and get back on the winners list against Sydney FC.
After conceding eight goals in two weeks, Gold Coast centre-back Bas Van Den Brink has declared his side is ready to sure up its defence and get back on the winners list against Sydney FC.
Coincidentally, the flood of goals against United came after Kristian Rees was injured in the Wellington drubbing, and after two weeks without Rees Van Den Brink is looking forward to having his defensive partner back on deck.
“I really like to play with Reesy, I think we are used to each other’s style so it’s a good thing for myself and for the team to have him back,” Van Den Brink said.
“We have to make sure we get organised again, we have got the players to defend well but our organisation has just gotten away from us the last few weeks.”
League-leader Sydney has been on fire in recent weeks and Van Den Brink is under no illusion as to the task that is ahead of his men.
“(Alex) Brosque, (Steve) Corica and (Mark) Bridge have done a good job for Sydney over the last few games so it is a big job to defend them.”
“All three are good on the ball and have good movement so we are going to have to be very focused, and if one gets subbed for John Aloisi then that’s another good striker so we can’t afford to just focus on one player.”
Gold Coast accounted for Sydney 2-1 in their round 5 clash (also at Skilled Park) and Van Den Brink says that preparations for the re-match have been based around that result rather than United’s recent woes.
“You have to learn from losses, but you can’t be standing still every loss or you will drive yourself mad, so I think we should definitely take an example from the last game against Sydney.”
“We played well then so that is a good starting point for us.”
Third placed United sit five points adrift of the league-leading Sydney, which makes this weekend’s matchup pivotal going into the second half of the season.
A win would drag United within two points of top-spot, but a loss would see it fall behind by eight and possibly out of the top-four.
“We have no excuse for a loss or draw and everyone knows what is at stake so I am pretty confident going into the match.”
