Coach Grae Piddick discusses keys for Gold Coast Knights in FFA Cup clash with Sunshine Coast

HE is the most successful Queensland coach in FFA Cup history and Grae Piddick believes he has uncovered the key to another prosperous run with the Gold Coast Knights.

HE is the most successful Queensland coach in FFA Cup history and Grae Piddick believes he has uncovered the key to another prosperous run with the Gold Coast Knights.

With two quarterfinal appearances (2014 and 2017) and Round of 16 (2015) and Round of 32 (2018) berths on Piddick’s CV, the Knights have the perfect man to guide them in tonight’s Round 5 battle away to high-flying QPL outfit Sunshine Coast Wanderers.

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Third on the NPL ladder, the Knights have not played since downing Brisbane Roar Youth 3-0 on April 27, with their last cup appearance a 3-0 defeat of Sunshine Coast Fire on April 13.

But despite their lack of recent action, Piddick said there were bigger issues for his players to address in their quest for a long cup assault.

Knights coach Grae Piddick. Picture: Glenn Hampson

“It adds a bit of spice knowing it’s a knockout game and teams tend to lift in that situation. It’s just making sure we’re at the top of our game and lifting as well,” Piddick, who took the Knights to the Round of 32 last year, said.

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“Every game is must win but we always have that mindset where we want to win every game, whether it’s a cup game or not. It’s having that mindset to play well even when you’re travelling to the Sunshine Coast on a Tuesday night.

“It’s having the big picture and that mentality to win every game you play in. We want to qualify for the FFA Cup and we want to win every game.

“If you asked any NPL or semi-professional footballer, they want to be in that cup competition. It’s just a matter of continuing what we have been doing.”

While his squad has returned to full strength amid their enforced break, Piddick said they were wary of a Wanderers side that has risen to third on the QPL ladder.

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“We know they’re a pretty good side, one of the best QPL sides. Some of the players in their team have won NPL championships before so we’re not taking them lightly at all,” he said.

“We’re preparing like any other game. Everyone is good to go, having had the weekend off. We know we’re a good team when we’re at our best.”

Kick off is at 8pm.

Piddick’s Cup Success

■ 2014 – quarterfinals (Palm Beach)

■ 2015 – Round of 16 (Palm Beach)

■ 2016 – preliminary round exit (Gold Coast City)

■ 2017 – quarterfinals (Gold Coast City)

■ 2018 – Round of 32 (Gold Coast Knights)