Despite significant departures in the off-season, Brisbane Roar coach Ange Postecoglou is confident his revamped squad can challenge for Hyundai A-League title this season.
The club has been plagued by the losses of top scorer Sergio van Dijk to fellow Hyundai A-League strugglers Adelaide United and established youngsters Tommy Oar, Michael Zullo and Adam Sarota to overseas club FC Utrecht.
But Postecoglou believes his squad is finding the form and rhythm needed to improve on last year’s second-last finish, the worst in the club’s history.
“Pre-season is tracking well so far,” Postecoglou said.
“We’ve been going for about five to six weeks so we’ve got a bit of a way to go … but overall I’m really happy.”
Brisbane has brought in eight fresh faces including German midfielder Thomas Broich and Scottish left winger Rocky Visconte.
Postecoglou said with the exception of midfielder Erik Paartalu – who arrives in Brisbane this week – all the club’s new players had reported for pre-season training.
“The new players are fitting in well and we still have a few additions to add to the squad,” he said.
“Currently we are still looking for a new striker and defender.”
With the squad’s recruits arriving at different times, the Roar coaching staff have been forced to tinker with individual schedules.
However, Postecoglou said his squad was quickly building a positive team dynamic – despite a few players still being held back from full training.
“Shane Stefanutto is coming off his knee reconstruction but he is working hard and is on track to come back when he was originally slated to,” Postecoglou said.
“Thomas Broich has fitted in pretty quickly, but obviously it will take a little while for him to understand the game here.”
“Rocky Visconte is a little behind in terms of fitness so were doing some extra work with him, but I expect them to be ready to go come the start of the season.”
