Brisbane Roar desperate for a better start against A-League champions
Brisbane Roar are intent on avoiding a seventh loss in eight matches when they visit Gosford to meet the Mariners.
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Brisbane Roar coach Ben Cahn has urged his struggling team to play without fear from the opening whistle against reigning A-League champions Central Coast after a string of poor starts.
The Roar have conceded the opening goal – all in the first half, once as early as the opening minute – in their past six matches.
By the time they click into gear, it has too often been in the second half when games have been as good as over.
“It’s a big aspect of what we’re talking about as a group,” Cahn said ahead of Saturday night’s clash in Gosford.
“I think there’s the mentality where we play with a lot more freedom at the end of a game. We’re a little bit fearful at the start of the game.
“It’s just about being braver in and out of possession from the start and trying to impose ourselves on the game as much as we can.”
Rather than return to Brisbane after Tuesday night’s 3-1 loss to the Jets in Newcastle, the Roar went straight to Terrigal, near Gosford, to prepare for their battle against the in-form Mariners.
“Time together is important,” said Cahn, whose side is hoping to avoid a seventh loss in eight matches.
“The team mood’s really good. This group is a tight group. They have a lot of fight in them, they have a lot of character.
“We just need to turn that into being a little bit more dominant in games and getting the results we need.”
After deciding against appealing the straight red card awarded to star midfielder Jay O’Shea in their loss to the Jets, the Roar will be without their Irish talisman in Gosford.
Recent loan signing Keegan Jelacic will also be absent as he serves the second game of a two-match ban.
With injured French playmaker Florin Berenguer also still out, the Roar’s creative stocks are low.
However, attacking midfielder Henry Hore’s return from injury off the bench against the Jets was a positive, and he’s a chance to start in Gosford.
“We’ll look at his training numbers for the week and make sure we’re happy with the risk to start Henry,” Cahn said.
Originally published as Brisbane Roar desperate for a better start against A-League champions
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