Adelaide United coach Gertjan Verbeek craves consistency for his side in a Jekyll and Hyde season
Adelaide United coach Gertjan Verbeek said postponing the A-League rather than playing behind closed doors makes more sense.
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Adelaide United coach Gertjan Verbeek says postponing the A-League rather than forcing clubs to play behind closed doors makes far more sense as the coronavirus pandemic grips the nation.
Adelaide could very well play its last match of the current season in front of fans on Sunday.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday said all mass gatherings attended by more than 500 people should not go ahead from Monday to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
Adelaide host Newcastle Jets at Hindmarsh Stadium.
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“It’s a big issue (the coronavirus) and Australia is a little bit lucky, it’s a big island and they (government) can make important decisions,’’ Verbeek said.
“The health of the people is the most important, it’s not what I decide.
“But I think playing in front of empty tribunes, it’s not the best solution.
“It’s better to stop the competition because you play for the people also.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea to play behind closed doors.
“But there are much more important things than playing a game.”
Verbeek will be celebrating his daughter Senne’s third birthday with his wife Sabina on the morning of the clash hoping the happiness from the festivities infect his side to become winners after a mini slump.
However Adelaide will again be missing Ben Halloran for the clash Verbeek said.
The winger penned a two-year deal at the start of the month.
Verbeek said he had recovered from a hamstring injury but an illness has kept him sidelined since the morning of the 5-1 drubbing to Western United eight days ago.
“He is sick, the only thing I know is that he has no coronavirus,’’ Verbeek said.
“He has a bacteria, a bad cough and he is getting treatment with antibiotics.”
Verbeek said the Reds was constantly reviewing why the side is inconsistent this season.
Adelaide’s season suggests it has mood swings a la Jekyll and Hyde winning nine matches and losing 11 to date without sharing draws.
“There has been lots of talking, lots of video watching and tried to get the players to be working like a team that’s what we want at this moment,’’ Verbeek said.
“We’re now getting to the end of the competition and we have been the whole year in the top six but when you lose too many games you fall out of the six and miss the playoffs, that’s the only thing that matters.
“We’re not in good shape.
“We’re physically OK but we really want to dominate and it’s not good at the moment.
“Of course we have a lot of injuries and changing of the team but the difference between now and the first few games of the season and the FFA Cup final and the start it’s too big.
“We have to make progress in the things we’re doing and the players have to become bigger.
“It’s disappointing.”