Adelaide United striker Bruce Djite has credited his return to form to the re-appointment of coach John Kosmina.
Adelaide United striker Bruce Djite has credited his return to form to the re-appointment of coach John Kosmina.
Djite scored just once in nine appearances under former coach Rini Coolen since he rejoined his hometown club at the beginning of the season.
The 24-year-old looked short of confidence as his forward partnership with fellow striker Sergio van Dijk failed to gel.
However since Kosmina’s second spell in charge began a month ago, Djite has found the net a further time while also proving a handful in the final third for opposition defenders having won his side two penalties in consecutive weeks which van Dijk coolly converted.
Djite said the renewed sense of confidence Kosmina has instilled in his short time at the club has been the decisive factor in the team’s turnaround.
“He has had renewed confidence in not just myself but in the whole playing group,” Djite said.
“He came in at a very difficult time and for any coach to turn it around as quickly as he did is testament to the qualities he has.
“He’s done a fantastic job and hopefully we can keep it going for him.”
To coincide with Djite’s form resurgence, van Dijk has also enjoyed a purple patch since Kosmina’s return.
The reigning Hyundai A-League Golden Boot winner failed to find the net at all under Coolen this season but has now scored three goals in as many games under Kosmina.
The third member in Adelaide’s attacking trifecta, marquee signing Dario Vidosic, has also shown he is back to his best following two goals and three assists in the last four games.
Djite said it was only a matter of time before the three-pronged attack started putting fear into opposition defences.
“There’s always questions when another striker comes along, I had the same thing happen at Gold Coast when Smeltzy (Shane Smeltz) came back but that worked very well and I think with Serge (van Dijk) it’s starting to work really well as well,” Djite said.
“You throw Dario (Vidosic) in the mix and us three have been causing a few headaches for opposition teams lately.
“I think everyone can see that we’ve all started to play some better football, individually as well, over this last month.”
“We’ve had a few injury problems between us but as long as we can all stay fit and healthy I think we will continue to cause a few problems for opposition teams.”
Djite believed there was no bigger clash for the trio to show off their attacking capabilities than the clash with rivals Melbourne Victory on Friday night at AAMI Park – a venue the Reds have come away from with maximum points in all four of their visits.
“It’s one of if not the biggest games of the season. These derbies are always very special not just to ourselves but to the people of Adelaide,” Djite said.
“It’s great to go back to AAMI Park where the team has performed well in the past, it’s relatively familiar to us, it’s a fantastic stadium and I’m sure there’s going to be a great atmosphere there.
“It’s the one game in the season that everyone wants to be a part of … we are going to go out there and give 110 percent and hopefully come away with all three points.”
Adelaide has made one change to the side that drew 1-1 with Brisbane last Saturday, with Osama Malik set to protect the back four in favour of Pancho Usucar who will take his place on the bench.
