Western United coach John Aloisi has warned his in-form side against complacency as they set their sights on a club-record fourth consecutive A-League Men’s win in the home clash with Adelaide United.
A positive COVID-19 case in the ranks has been a setback for Western this week and while Aloisi declined to reveal the player’s identity, it could become apparent when the team sheets are submitted at AAMI Park.
In better news for the former Socceroos striker, his watertight defence will be bolstered by the return of experienced Swiss centre-back Leo Lacroix after one week on the sidelines.
Western tasted defeat in their opening ALM fixture under Aloisi but have since surged up the ladder with successive clean sheets in single-goal victories over Perth, Melbourne City and Brisbane.
“The confidence is there but we’re still working and making sure that we’re putting in each day in training and trying to improve, not only as a team but individually,” Aloisi said.
“That’s always a pleasing thing. Just because you’re getting results, you don’t want people to become complacent, and this group isn’t.
“They want to keep on getting better and know that we can get a lot better.”
Aloisi will make a late call on whether Serbian striker Aleksandar Prijovic plays against Adelaide, while Rene Khrin is still unavailable for personal reasons.
Despite the positive COVID-19 case, who is isolating and not suffering major symptoms, Aloisi said the rest of his players have been able to go about their business as usual for Friday night’s game.
“The boys are really robust and ready, knowing that we’re prepared,” Aloisi said.
“This group is a strong group and if we have anything going against us I’m sure that they’ll fight even harder.
“We’ve prepared really well for this one even though there are disruptions, but no one’s making any excuses.”
Aloisi has kept a close eye on Adelaide, where his brother Ross is an assistant to head coach Carl Veart, and is wary of the Reds’ ability to get numbers into the box.
Adelaide are winless from four games, including three draws, but Veart has been happy with his side’s performances to date.
“It’s just some minor things that we need to improve on, especially our finishing,” Veart said.
“In all the games we’ve had good opportunities, we just haven’t taken them.
“We’ve really pushed the players this week to take more opportunities, take more shots and take more risks in that final third.”
Adelaide are resigned to being without defender Nick Ansell for the rest of the season after he had surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon.
The 27-year-old centre-back is expected to return to competitive football in “six to nine months”, with the Reds already in talks to extend his existing one-year contract.
