Top coach leads charge at Wanderers

The passion and intensity of coach Paul Arnison will be a “massive” driving force for the Wanderers as they enter the state’s top tier, says captain Jeremy Stewart.

FOOTBALL: The passion and intensity of coach Paul Arnison will be a "massive" driving force for the Wanderers as they enter the state's top tier, says captain Jeremy Stewart.

The Sunshine Coast outfit are set to finally get their National Premier Leagues Queensland season under way on Monday against Moreton Bay United after their opening clash with Roar was washed out last week. And with Arnison guiding the squad, captain Stewart believes the Wanderers will enter the match and season ahead primed to attack.

The 42-year-old was named the Sunshine Coast Sports Federation's coach of the year last week for his efforts in helping the squad earn promotion.

"I think his player management and his passion and intensity at training and during games makes him someone that players want to play for," Stewart said.

"Obviously, he's played at the highest levels and now he's passing that knowledge on to the younger kids that we've got in our side this year and even the older heads that we had last year.

"It's (having Arnison as coach) going to be massive for the younger boys in the side that respond really well to his intensity and passion.

"He's probably one of the most passionate coaches I've ever played under and I think it drives us on as a playing group to put 100 per cent in week in and week out."

Wanderers were initially set to play Moreton Bay on Saturday, but weather postponed the match to Monday.

Stewart was itching to hit the field for the men's debut in the top tier.

"To have our first game away from home against Moreton Bay, which have always been up there in the NPL for a long time, it's going to be a big game for us," he said.

He believed they'd need to be firing from the first whistle in a bid to hold their own on debut.

"I think the first 20 minutes of the game is going to be vital," he said.

"(We need to) be nice and compact in defence and if we can keep it that way for the first 20 minutes (that'll be ideal).

All SEQ Round 2 FFA Cup matches scheduled for today and tomorrow were postponed to next weekend due to the weather conditions.

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