Brisbane Roar interim coach Frans Thijssen refused to blame his players for Wednesday night’s 4-1 capitulation to Western Sydney Wanderers, a result which almost ends their Finals Series hopes.
WRAP: Brisbane Roar 1 – Western Sydney Wanderers 4
The reigning Hyundai A-League champions were without several first-team regulars and struggled to gain a foothold against a team previously without an away win for the season.
“It was always going to be a difficult game. That’s what we knew beforehand,” Thijssen said.
“In the end it was a difficult game but I can’t blame anybody. Everybody did their best.
“It’s always hard but if you change so many positions then that can happen.”
Thijssen moved midfielder Luke Brattan back into defence for the match alongside natural fullback Shane Stefanutto, but remained firm that it was the obvious decision with Roar’s heavy schedule in mind.
“No, (it wasn’t) really a gamble,” the former Netherlands international said.
“He’s always good in the build-up but it’s not only one position – it’s more positions you change but you have to change and you have to play.
“That’s what we had to sort out and we didn’t have many options of course.”
Thijssen ruled out major changes to the squad for Saturday night’s crunch clash away to Melbourne City, predicting the “same group” would travel south for what will be a ‘mini-final’ at AAMI Park.
