The signs are positive for Brisbane Roar after a first-round draw with Gold Coast United but skipper Matt McKay says competition points are the focus for the new-look side.
Brisbane finished second-last in 2009/10 but with a near brand-new roster and a hard pre-season behind them, coach Ange Postecoglou has the Roar looking like finals contenders.
By the Roar’s own admission, United were the better side last season, but when the teams met in Round 1 action it was the men in orange who held the advantage for the majority of the match.
Only a stellar effort between the sticks by Gold Coast ‘keeper Glen Moss prevented the Roar from registering their first ever win against their neighbours, but ultimately McKay could only rue the missed opportunity.
“We can have good performances through the season, but we need the three points.”
“So it’s a positive start, but we work our way towards (our Round 3 game against) Sydney now and hopefully we’ll get the right result there,” he said.
After tastes of the captaincy in 2009/10, McKay has been chosen by Ange Postecoglou as the man to lead the revamped Brisbane side back to credibility, and according to the hard-working international, the side is right on track.
“We did a lot of work in pre-season which was the design because obviously it was a changed team and the boys that have come in have done extremely well.”
“They’ve worked hard and the work ethic is brilliant.”
“The hard work has shown in the way we’re playing and the movement we have and the mobility of our side,” said McKay.
As for the added responsibility that comes with the captain’s band, McKay says it’s been smooth sailing thus far, and his focus in the role is to simply lead by example.
“We had no problems because everyone wants to be here and work hard, so from my point of view it’s quite easy.”
“I’ve been working hard myself, I pride myself on working hard, and everyone else is following quite well,” he said.
