Adelaide United coach Carl Veart picks ‘strongest side’ for crucial battle with Melbourne City

Adelaide United’s hopes of playing finals football should be boosted by the return of star attacking pair Archie Goodwin and Zach Clough to the Reds’ starting team for Saturday night’s game against Melbourne City.

Carl Veart has reinstated key pair Archie Goodwin and Zach Clough to Adelaide United’s starting team for Saturday night’s clash against Melbourne City, but it could be a case of too little, too late for the Reds in their bid to qualify for the A-League finals series.

A loss to City at AAMI Park will end Adelaide’s hopes of finishing in the top-six, while even a draw or a win will still leave the Reds at the mercy of other results in their quest to play finals football next month such has been their shocking run of form, ironically since a win over City on February 7.

In their subsequent 10 matches, the Reds have picked up just six points from a possible 30.

“It’s been a tough couple of months,” said Adelaide mentor Veart, who with the Reds having a bye next weekend, could be coaching the team for the final time on Saturday night after being told by the club earlier month that his services would not be required next season.

“We’ve had games where we’ve played well and not gotten the result, and others where we haven’t performed and been punished.

“The story of the season really has been our inconsistency. Over the course of the year we’ve made too many mistakes that have cost us goals.”

Zach Clough will return to Adelaide United’s starting team on Saturday night. Picture: James Worsfold/Getty Images

That was the case last Tuesday night when the Reds were held to a 1-1 draw by competition lightweights Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium,

Despite the urgency of Adelaide’s situation, Veart chose to leave two of his most potent attacking players in Goodwin and Clough – who have scored 20 A-League goals between them this season – out of his starting side.

It was a strange selection decision, and one that won’t be repeated this weekend.

“We’ll go with our strongest side, and they’re both in our strongest team,” Veart said.

“We need to go all out on Saturday. There’s nothing left that we can leave in the tank. We have to give everything.

“All I ask is that (the players) is to be at their best and give 100 per cent for the club.”

Standing in Veart’s way on Saturday night will be his friend and former Adelaide coach Aurelio Vidmar, who has guided City to second spot on the A-League ladder.

“I have a hell of a lot of empathy for Carl’s situation,” Vidmar said.

“I’ve known Carl for a very long time. He’s a good mate. He’s been an excellent coach for Adelaide. What he’s done with the resources that he’s had at the club has been remarkable.

“Unfortunately, the game is like this. It can be very ruthless. He’s a very good coach, and hopefully he’s not lost to the game.”