Brisbane Roar coach Ange Postecoglou believes his league-leading side has the versatility to deal with any other side as they continue their march towards this season’s title.
Following on from Wednesday’s 3-2 win over Perth, a record-equalling 13th consecutive undefeated game, the Roar have established themselves as a multi-dimensional side capable of playing – and winning – in many different ways.
The Roar have vanquished their early-season goal-scoring woes and now lead the league with 30 goals scored after 18 games.
On the other side of the park, they also boast the competition’s third stingiest defence; only Newcastle and Gold Coast United have conceded fewer goals so far this season.
Game-planning against Brisbane has been a challenge for the Roar’s opponents, who have implemented varying strategies in an attempt to dismantle their attractive passing build-up.
And, Postecoglou believes his side has the ability to adjust to whatever the opposition throws at them.
“We’ve worked really hard at ensuring we’re not one-dimensional in the way we play,” he said.
North Queensland opted to drop men deep behind the ball and shrink the available space for quick-footed Roar midfield interplay last Saturday.
Their approach was somewhat successful, and the league’s last-placed side nearly stole a victory at Suncorp Stadium but for an 85th minute equaliser by Ivan Franjic.
However, Postecoglou dismissed notions that other teams will necessarily follow Fury’s formula in an effort to frustrate his team.
“People are saying they’ve figured out the way we play, but it was pretty easy to work out how we play after the very first game. It’s whether the opposition can stop us doing that [every week],” he said.
“The players know we’ve got various solutions for whatever the opposition throws at us.”
Enforcing midfielder Erik Paartalu does not expect Central Coast to sit back and let the Roar attack freely.
“It’s tough to know what teams are going to throw at us; they’ve tried everything,” Paartalu said.
“I expect the Mariners to be physical; they’re at home so they’ll give everything they’ve got and probably press quite high up the pitch.”
“That will suit us, we can play around that. And if they sit off, we’ll just do what we did against North Queensland and battle our way for 90 minutes and try to get a result.”
Brisbane also expects explosive attacker Henrique to be fully recovered from a serious left arm fracture by January, which will add yet another dimension to their attack.
“When Henrique comes good, hopefully by the start of the New Year, I hope he will add some more enthusiasm and energy to the group,” Postecoglou said.
