Brisbane Roar might have lost both Queensland Champions Cup games, but after the 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa, their boss Warren Moon was still all smiles.
No wonder; his side, three months out from the Isuzu UTE A-League season, made life difficult for Steven Gerrard’s Premier League outfit, and were markedly more competitive following their nervy opening 20 minutes against Leeds United.
For a team that finished 11th last season, it was two performances that provide the perfect tonic heading into a meaningful fixture: Roar’s Australia Cup round of 32 fixture, next Thursday away to NPL Victoria outfit Heidelberg United, and the season beyond.
So after hitouts against two high quality oppositions, here’s what we’ve learnt about the Roar.
Austin is here and his presence is infectious
Stepping out as a Brisbane Roar player for the first time on Thursday night, Charlie Austin was a sight for players and fans alike. A footballer with Premier League pedigree is never a bad thing, but it’s his attitude that is already catching people’s attention.
From the outset, the Englishman could be seen barking instructions and coaching his teammates through the contest. The best example of his character, however, came more than 24 hours earlier at a training session in sweltering conditions.
He pulled aside trialist Joe Knowles and walked him through goal scoring scenarios.
This is precious for the youngsters. With Knowles barely blinking, Austin marched him around the 18-yard-box, imparting his wisdom on the Oakleigh Cannons striker.
Through his words in the media, and deeds at training, Austin is quickly proving he is here to make an impact, and for the right reasons.
“I have enough knowledge in me I can lend onto younger boys,” Austin told KEEPUP prior to his new side’s two fixtures against Premier League opponents. “I am at the backend of my career as such I can help them, and I get enjoyment out that too, I want them to grow…the younger lads are keen to learn which is a good thing; and I am here to help them as much as I can.
“But of course, I have my own job to do also.”
When they can maintain possession, they create scoring chances
There’s no hiding from the fact last season, any time Roar looked threatening, it was coming via Jay O’Shea. Leading the league in chances created, a tally that extended well into the 90s, the Irishman was at the crux of everything good about the Roar last season.
Against Leeds United on the Gold Coast last Thursday, we saw he might have a bigger supporting cast next season.
Creating a host of inroads, Brisbane probably should have left CBUS Super Stadium with more to cheer about. Although this wasn’t the case, names like Jez Lofthouse, Louis Zabala, Rahmat Akbari, Joe Knowles & Jesse Daley were really lively, and it was no surprise they were close by when Brisbane found the back of the net via Knowles.
Defensively, they’ve continued to improve
Conceding goals at a rate of 1.5 per game in 2022/23, they ranked sixth in the competition last season. It wasn’t so much their struggles with keeping the ball out late on in each fixture, but rather, starting well and not allowing themselves to be on the back foot early.
Prior to the Townsville fixture, defender Scott Neville admitted that had been an area the squad was attempting to rectify this off season and it showed against Aston Villa.
Facing an attack led by England international Danny Ings, with the brilliantly talented Philippe Coutinho sitting in behind, you would have excused the Roar for conceding more than they did, as earlier as they did.
It is clear that Moon has developed a stubbornness – and discipline – in his side defensively. It is a trademark that he can build on in the months ahead.
The young talent is there, it just needs to be nurtured
The Roar flew under the radar in this regard last season. Besides Henry Hore, who looks to be well on his way to becoming another A-League Men graduate abroad, there wasn’t a lot to cheer about for the fans when it came to youngsters, last season.
This looks to be changing, and even for the neutral, it’s exciting. Lofthouse, Akbari, Zabala and Daley all look to be amongst the next class of raw talent to rise through the competition’s ranks in 2022/23.
From Akbari’s neat turn and assist on the Gold Coast, to Lofthouse taking on Villa defender Matt Cash and flashing a strike inches wide, Roar have an exciting pool of talent that will get you off your seat. Having more leadership – and Charlie Austin is a major boost to that – will help balance the pressure on the youngsters.
