Brisbane Roar goalkeeper Matt Ham will be looking at his side’s clash with the North Queensland Fury in Townsville on Saturday as an opportunity to both propel his side towards a finals berth, and press his claims for a spot with the Roar next season.
Following the Roar’s signing of hot prospect Andrew Redmayne from the Central Coast Mariners, Ham knows he must perform if he wants to edge out Griffin McMaster for the second goalkeeping spot on Brisbane’s roster for the 2010/11 season.
“Nothing’s really changed. We all suspected there might be signings. It just makes us all put in a little extra at training,” said Ham.
“It’s football, that’s always the case. We’re always playing for our future. For a goalkeeper probably more so. If you make one mistake everyone remembers that mistake, but if you make 10 saves in the game no one remembers that.”
“Four weeks ago I was working as any other normal person, so I’m taking this opportunity with both hands. If I play well, I make it hard for the gaffer to not choose me. I’m doing everything I can.”
While former under-20 international Redmayne has secured a two-year deal with the Roar, Ham, who has been plagued by injuries throughout his career, has ironically been granted his chance to play for a contract after an injury to the Roar’s current first-choice keeper, McMaster.
“Me and ‘Grif’ are fighting for another spot. There are other names out there. But that’s fine. Nothing’s changed for me,” Ham said.
“Grif’s hurt himself a little bit, which is unfortunate for him, but I’ve been there before so I can understand. It gave me an opportunity to get my first game under my belt last week.”
“I’m looking forward to capitalising. Hopefully I get another couple of games under my belt if I can play well just like anyone else there. Hopefully we get a win and continue in the finals.”
Roar coach Ange Postecoglou, who handed the big gloveman his debut last week, says the opportunity is there for Ham to seize.
“If he can put in a couple of good performances between now and the end of the year he’s got a good chance of winning the second spot on our roster,” said Postecoglou.
“Him and Griffin are still there battling away.”
“Matty didn’t do too much wrong last week, he didn’t have a lot to do to be honest. He’s keen to take his opportunity and it’s up to him.”
Standing in the way of another successful performance for Ham is North Queensland’s marquee player Robbie Fowler, who, though quiet of late, is one of the most dangerous attackers in the Hyundai A-league.
“I’ve trained up there with him (Fowler). He’s a class act. Great touch, great finish. He always makes an opportunity to score. (He’s) high class and a class bloke,” said Ham.
“It’s a bit nerve wracking, but what an opportunity. How many people can say they’ve played against Robbie Fowler?”
Ham, like Postecoglou, believes that confidence will be the key to Roar’s chances of reigniting their season and a win against the Fury might provide them the platform they need to surge towards a spot in the finals.
“We’re all in a bit of a downer at the moment, but one game in this league can change everything,” said Ham.
“If we win four games, no one will be talking about what we’re talking about now. Everyone will be talking about the form team. It’s a funny league, but it’s a great league because it is so close.”
