Brisbane Roar coach Mike Mulvey has praised the impact of striker Henrique after the Brazilian played a starring role in the defending champions’ 4-0 hammering of a listless Newcastle Jets at Hunter Stadium.
The diminutive attacker came off the bench to net a second half hat-trick and help secure the Roar’s first win of their spluttering championship defence.
“It’s always a great situation where you can bring someone like Henrique in off the bench. He’s been excellent this season, it just hasn’t happened for him in every game,” Mulvey said.
“He’s a player that’s valuable to us and he proved just how valuable he was tonight. It doesn’t matter where he is, he does a great job for us.”
Mulvey said he was pleased with his side’s response following last week’s disappointing loss to Melbourne City FC and hit back at criticism which has been levelled at his team.
“That performance has been in us. What you saw tonight was a team that’s got belief, desire and quality,” he said.
“The thing that was probably out of order last week was the questioning of the desire or effort of the players.
“That was the thing that upset me and it was pointed at a couple of individuals. I think that should never be in question because these players always play to the end and always play their heart out.”
Although pleased with the performance Mulvey admitted there was room for improvement ahead of next weekend’s blockbuster with competition favourites Melbourne Victory.
“We might look like we’ve spanked them tonight but the bottom line is there’s no easy games and you’ve got to work damn hard in this league,” he said.
“Our away form this year has been very good. Once we’ve tightened up defensively which we seem to have done tonight, I want to see that done again next week and the week after. This is just the first step.”
