Players let down John Aloisi, says Roar import Eric Bautheac
Eric Bautheac feels responsible for John Aloisi’s Brisbane Roar demise and wants to make amends by guiding the club to a ninth successive A-League finals appearance.
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ERIC Bautheac feels responsible for John Aloisi’s Brisbane Roar demise and wants to make amends by guiding the club to a ninth successive A-League finals appearance.
Brisbane’s French marquee man scored his first goal of the season on Wednesday night in the Roar’s 2-2 draw with Newcastle Jets at McDonald Jones Stadium.
The result snapped a run of five successive defeats. Amid the losing streak, coach Aloisi resigned, frustrated by the workings of the club’s owners, Indonesian conglomerate the Bakrie Group.
The Roar are eight points adrift of the top six, and face the tough task of beating competition leaders Perth Glory at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.
Bautheac said while Wednesday’s draw was at least a step in the right direction, a similar performance against the Glory would not be enough.
“We played better (against the Jets) but we need to play well now because it was not perfect,” the former Lille winger said. “We need to play together, we need to fight together. Sunday we have a big game against Perth, but if we play like we did (in Newcastle), we can’t win.”
Bautheac had no doubts Brisbane could play finals football this season, but admitted the team’s shoddy defending had to be rectified.
The Roar have conceded at least two goals in each of their past nine matches.
“We can get back in the six, but we need to stay concentrated in defence,” he said. “We stopped the bad streak, but now we need the points.”
Bautheac felt the Roar, still under the guidance of interim head coach Darren Davies, owed it to Aloisi to save their season.
“I feel responsible for John leaving because we couldn’t do the job on the pitch – it’s our fault,” he said. “I like John so much. He’s a good coach and a great person, but he doesn’t play. It’s us on the pitch.
“We need to change our mentality on the pitch, and we need to have character.
“In my career, I’ve had a lot of coaches, but John was different because he was a really great person. I’m sad for him and I hope he will find a new challenge because he’s a good coach.”
Davies was impressed with Bautheac’s performance, including his late header, which ensured the points were shared against the Jets.
“He always looks dangerous, Eric, and gives his all,” Davies said. “I was happy he was inside the far (post) to get on the end of (Nick D’Agostino’s cross) and secure a point for us.”
The Roar yesterday named an extended squad for Sunday’s clash against the Glory, with defender Daniel Bowles, available again after suspension, and Danish enforcer Thomas Kristensen added to the 16-man squad picked for the visit to Newcastle.
The Glory, who are spending the week in camp on the Sunshine Coast, will be without star attacker Chris Ikonomidis, who is on Asian Cup duty with the Socceroos.
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