After an up and down opening three weeks of the season, consistency is a word Head Coach Rini Coolen would like to be able to start using to describe the Reds.
After an up and down opening three weeks of the season, consistency is a word Head Coach Rini Coolen would like to be able to start using to describe the Reds.
Being a coach at an elite level can provide both fulfilment and satisfaction, but on the same hand it can also bring a fair degree of frustration. Reflecting on Adelaide United-s first three results, it is probably accurate to assume that Coolen has experienced his fair share of both so far.
A flat first up display in Perth before a highly charged performance against Melbourne Victory was most recently followed by a disappointing home loss to Sydney FC. These opening three games portray somewhat of a rollercoaster ride, and while it is still only early in the season, it is a form line that Coolen is keen to start seeing level out, preferably at the top.
“I think what we have to work on, and it was the same last year, is the consistency in our games,” Coolen said following the 2-1 loss to Sydney.
“That (consistency) happens in training sessions, it happens in games, last week we had a good game (against Melbourne) after a big loss to Perth the week before, so that-s something we have to work on because the third one (against Sydney) was not good.”
One only needs to go back 12 months to see the form and evenness Coolen is talking about. The Reds went 11 games undefeated to start last season, which included a run of six wins in seven. But at the same token, the 2010/11 campaign also highlighted the opposite end of the consistency spectrum, results scattered with a number of losses in among some impressive victories.
Coolen knows as well as anyone that being able to achieve and maintain a high level of consistency breeds confidence, and the Dutchman needs to look no further than the Reds- opponents on Friday night to see arguably the best example of what can come from it.
Incredibly, heading into Friday night-s encounter at Suncorp Stadium, the Brisbane Roar have gone unbeaten in a record 31 Hyundai A-League matches, a run that ironically started against the Reds way back on September 18 of last year. Take in their only loss of the season, to Melbourne Victory on September 12, and the Roar have tasted defeat just once in 33 games. The team from Brisbane also has three wins from as many starts this season, making it appear a daunting prospect for the Reds to take three points home with them on Friday.
But while there may be a significant difference in the teams- respective form guides leading into the match, Coolen knows the quality of football his side can produce and is certain it is good enough to give the Roar a serious scare. At this point it is also relevant to make light of the fact that this Reds squad features a host of new names and that it is more likely consistent performances will come as the season progresses.
“We know that we are capable and good enough to come back and play a good game next week,” Coolen said.
“I really believe that, but still we need to bring more consistency in our results and our playing.”
It is almost fitting that Coolen-s emphasis on wanting his team to start finding consistency comes as the Reds prepare to face the club that is and has been the benchmark of the league in this area.
“We are going to work very hard and be ready for the game against Brisbane because it-s definitely going to be a hard game against the best team in the league,” Coolen said.
“But we have a very good squad as well and if we are focused and doing the right things and playing football the way we want to play football, of course we have a chance to beat Brisbane.”
