Brisbane coach Ange Postecoglou is confident his underperforming side has finally turned the corner after an impressive 2-0 win over North Queensland on Wednesday night.
Postecoglou delivered an ominous warning to the other nine A-League clubs, and indeed those franchises set to join the competition next season, after a bevy of youthful attackers helped the men in orange grab the full points at Suncorp Stadium.
“People saw the future of Brisbane Roar tonight,” Postecoglou said.
“This was the first time we were able to throw them all out there together and we’ve still got Reinaldo to come back in a week’s time.”
“We’re starting to get the team out there that I want to play, and the personnel that I think are the future of this club.”
“We were always confident that once we got the players out there that it would happen.”
The pieces largely all clicked into place against the Fury, with attackers Tommy Oar and Henrique providing quality service for Dutch striker Sergio van Dijk, who banged in the only two goals of the game.
Matt McKay (knee and quad), Massimo Murdocca (broken leg), Michael Zullo (groin), Ivan Franjic (hamstring), Oar (ankle, quad and international duty) and Henrique (knee and suspension) have all spent significant time on the sidelines in the 2009/10 A-League season.
Postecoglou deployed Zullo in an innovative left-back role and believed the sight of the talented youngster streaming down the sidelines will bring smiles to the faces of long-suffering Roar fans for many a season.
“He’s got all the attributes to play that position and I think with him and Tommy (on the left), they’d be a handful for any opposition,” he said.
“Him (Zullo) and Tommy on the left, and Ivan and Henrique on the right – all four are quick and good on the ball.”
“It worked well for us tonight and it’s something that I want to persevere with.”
“It makes our team more exciting and more attacking and gets us playing the kind of football we want to play.”
Postecoglou took a swipe at those, such as former coach Frank Farina, who had questioned the club’s decision to grant an early release for goalkeeper Liam Reddy and playmaker Charlie Miller.
“I’ve read and heard plenty of things about people who are leaving the club, but people don’t talk about the ones that are still here,” he said.
“Tommy Oar didn’t play on Saturday night and people all of a sudden went from pushing him for Socceroos selection to not mentioning him, they wanted to mention other people.”
“But we know what we’re doing.”
“We’ve got a young and exciting group of players, who are all committed for next year and beyond, and that’s what we’re going to build this team around.”
Whether or not that future includes van Dijk, who is coming off contract at the end of this season and yet to come to terms with the club, is still unknown.
The Dutchman, who Postecoglou revealed had been carrying an injury, has attracted offers from other clubs but he will be under no pressure to sign from the former Young Socceroos mentor.
“We want to keep Serg and we’ve put an offer to him.”
“I’ve stated publicly that Serg would definitely earn a lot more overseas but here we are limited by the salary cap.”
“He’s an absolute pro, he has played every minute of every game this year and he never misses training.”
“He’s good around the club and we’ll wait for him to make up his mind … there’s no rush with Serg and he’s doing the right thing.”
Postecoglou was confident Oar, Franjic and Matt McKay – who all returned from injury against the Fury – would backup against the Central Coast this weekend.
North Queensland coach Ian Ferguson lamented his side’s inconsistency, which leaves them facing a crucial clash against an in-form Newcastle side.
“It’s a massive game for us,” Ferguson said.
“We have to pick ourselves up, wipe ourselves down and get on with it.”
