Adelaide United believes Mathew Leckie’s pace has opposition defenders worried but fell short of tagging him a match-winner ahead of its clash against North Queensland at Dairy Farmers Stadium on Saturday.
Leckie scored the Reds’ last-minute equaliser against the Gold Coast last week and had Miron Bleiberg’s boys scrambling to keep up with him. Indeed, his pace was responsible for forcing Gold Coast defender Kristian Rees to tackle him from behind, seeing Rees sent for an early shower just after the half hour.
The 18-year-old became only the fourth United player to score multiple goals this season and is again poised to join captain Travis Dodd up front.
Dodd said the new attacking formation can only get better in time.
“It was good last week working with Matty, he’s definitely got some good qualities and it will be good getting a better understanding with him out on the pitch and hopefully starting to form a good partnership up front with him,” he said.
Dodd, who may have found his pace superior in Leckie, said the Victorian’s speed was definitely a weapon the Reds could use.
“I think you saw against Gold Coast, he got the ball and went at the defence probably three or four times and created the opportunity for the red card,” he said.
“A couple of other times he got pulled down so he’s unlucky there but he certainly causes a lot of headaches for defences.”
Coach Aurelio Vidmar was also full of praise for Leckie but didn’t expect too much of his young recruit.
“There’s pressure on everyone but we are not hanging our season on an 18-year-old kid, he’s here to learn like all our young kids,” Vidmar said.
“He’s got probably some great strengths and great abilities that a lot of players don’t have in the league.”
“There’s absolutely no pressure, absolutely no pressure on Matty Leckie to win us a game.”
Meanwhile Adelaide is hopeful a greater forum for feedback between players and coaches will help the Reds finish the season strongly.
Dodd confirmed the coaching panel had asked the players to give greater input at training sessions this week.
“That’s something new for us. I guess in the past we’ve always been brought up to do what the coach says and deal with it,” Dodd said.
“It’s good that those lines of communication are starting to open up within the players and the coaching group and it certainly has its benefits.”
“That’s something we both need to work on as a playing group and a coaching staff to make sure it gets better.”
