A-League: Craig Goodwin could miss clash Adelaide United ‘most definitely’ needs to win

Carl Veart says Adelaide United “most definitely” needs to take all three points home from Gosford, but the side may have to do it without its skipper.

The Reds could be without their skipper for a game which coach Carl Veart says will be crucial. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

Coach Carl Veart says winning Saturday night’s clash with the Central Coast Mariners could set Adelaide United up for success in the finals, but the Reds may have to do it without newly minted skipper Craig Goodwin.

After knocking together a three-match hot streak, the Reds have taken just one point away from their last two hit-outs and sit in third spot on the A-League ladder.

Watch the world‘s best footballers every week with beIN SPORTS on Kayo. LIVE coverage from LaLiga, Bundesliga, Ligue 1, Serie A, Carabao Cup, EFL & SPFL. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >

Veart said the Reds “most definitely” needed to take the three points home from Gosford, or risk opening the door for the likes of Macarthur, Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory.

“This is a game that could set our season up because there’s a lot of teams chasing us,” Veart said.

“Central Coast are one of those teams. It’s important that we go there with the mindset of getting the three points.”

Veart believes Saturday night’s clash with the Mariners could set the Reds up for success this season. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Veart said he would wait until Saturday morning to make a call on the availability of Goodwin, who is currently in Covid-19 isolation.

Appointed to the captaincy earlier this month, Goodwin will be released on Saturday and is still a chance to travel from Adelaide to the Central Coast on game day.

“We’ll see how he pulls up. It’s been a little bit difficult for him, in isolation, not being able to train, so we’ll just have to wait and see,” Veart said of his skipper.

Veart said he had confidence in Goodwin’s ability to play at a moment’s notice.

“‘Goodie’ is a great athlete and a true professional,” he said.

“Last year, he was in quarantine for 14 days and he came out and had one training session and he played for us and scored in the first minute.

“We know he can do it, it’s just a matter of whether we want to take that risk with a very important player at this time in the season.”

Goodwin could travel to Gosford on game day. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

Veart said other than Goodwin, no Reds player was currently in isolation.

“It’s pleasing to see, at this stage of the season with Covid, that we’ve got so many players available,” he said.

With or without Goodwin, Veart said the Reds needed to find a way to execute in the final third.

“The football we’re playing at the moment is quite good, but we’re just not rewarding ourselves and finishing off the good work that we’re doing,” he said.

“It’s been a little bit of an issue that we’ve had – starts and stops, this year.

“It’s something that we really need to focus on tomorrow and get the goals when we have control in the game.”

Veart said there could be more than one reason his side had only scored one goal across its last two matches.

“Maybe our decision making at times is not quite right, but sometimes it’s just the bounce of the ball. Sometimes it doesn’t go your way. So we’ll just keep working on what we’re doing,” he said.

“We’re very happy with the way our football is going at the moment and the way we’re travelling.”

Originally published as A-League: Craig Goodwin could miss clash Adelaide United ‘most definitely’ needs to win