The Lady Reds face another stern test when they host Melbourne Victory at Burton Park on Saturday in Round 7 of the Westfield W-League.
The Lady Reds face another stern test when they host Melbourne Victory at Burton Park on Saturday in Round 7 of the Westfield W-League.
United come into the match on the back of five straight defeats and consecutive 4-0 losses to Newcastle and Sydney FC.
Coach Dave Edmondson admitted Victory will be another tough opponent especially with their recent form that has seen the visitors lose narrowly to Brisbane last round after defeating champions Canberra United 3-0 the week before.
“Melbourne are in a rich vein of form and have some excellent players,” he said.
“They play a very positive possession based style of football and have a great mix of talented young Australian players and experienced and talented internationals.”
“They will come full of confidence and be favourites for the game but the underdog tag does not phase us.”
Edmondson admitted United would persist with the possession-based game plan and try to limit the errors that led to the goals against the Sky Blues on Saturday.
The Lady Reds coach acknowledged there were still some pleasing aspects from the match despite the result.
“We continue to work on retaining possession but also on minimising the individual errors that are costing us goals,” he said.
“Three of the four goals we conceded on Saturday were a direct result of us losing possession in dangerous areas. Developing possession and playing in more positive areas of the field are going to be necessary for us to start winning games.”
“There were positives. We again dominated possession, completing 80% of our 563 passes compared to Sydney’s 75% of 326. Obviously possession isn’t everything in football and we need to improve how we develop and use our possession.”
Saturday-s encounter against Sydney FC was made even more difficult as players struggled to deal with the conditions as the temperature soared in the mid-30s.
Edmondson acknowledged the heat did play a part but changes will probably ensue to freshen up the Lady Reds squad.
“I think it is easy to blame lack of effort or intensity when we lose, particularly with our style of play, but 2pm kick-offs in the middle of summer are difficult and very taxing,” he said.
“Having said that, a couple of selection changes this week will reward one or two players for the extra intensity or desire that they have shown in training.”
The Lady Reds will welcome back defender Emma Checker who made her debut with the Matildas last week.
Checker-s return will bolster the defence which Edmondson said will need to work solidly as a unit.
“Emma will be a welcome return to the squad, especially after the defensive issues we have had while she has been away,” he said.
“But one player does not defend, it is a team job and everyone has to play their part fully. Emma has returned from Matilda’s tour full of confidence and raring to go, so I am sure she will have a positive effect on the team as a whole, as well as the individual defending job she will perform.”
Adelaide United v Melbourne Victory
Saturday 1 December 2012
Burton Park, Adelaide
Local kick-off: 2pm
Referee: Kelly Jones
Adelaide United squad: 1. Kristi HARVEY (gk), 2. Ruth WALLACE, 3. Alex NATOLI, 4. Jess WHAREPOURI, 5. Abby ERCEG (c), 6. Cassie TSOUMBRIS, 8. Sarah McLAUGHLIN, 9. Marijana RAJCIC, 10. Jenna McCORMICK, 13. Ann MAYO, 14. Lorena MAGGIO, 16. Jess WATERHOUSE, 17. Laura JOHNS, 18. Georgia MACRI, 19. Holly PATTERSON, 20. Kelly BARLTROP (gk)
* one to be omitted
Ins: Ruth WALLACE, Cassie TSOUMBRIS, Jenna McCORMICK (all promoted), Emma Checker (returns from international duty)
Outs: Racheal QUIGLEY, Grace HENRY, Elise WHORLOW (all omitted)
Unavailable: None
Melbourne Victory squad: 1. Brianna DAVEY (gk), 2. Danielle JOHNSON, 3. Maika RUYTER-HOOLEY, 4. Rebekah STOTT, 5. Laura SPIRANOVIC, 6. Petra LARSSON, 7. Stephanie CATLEY, 9. Tiffany ELIADIS, 10. Jessica McDONALD, 12. Jackie Vogt, 14. Enza BARILLA, 15. Amy JACKSON, 16. Georgie KOUTROUVELIS, 17. Gulcan KOCA, 18. Cindy LAY, 20. Cassandra DIMOVSKI (gk), 22: Jessica FISHLOCK, 23. Jessica HUMBLE
* three to be omitted
In: Brianna DAVEY, Stephanie CATLEY, Jessica FISHLOCK (all return from international duty)
Outs: Melissa MAIZELS (omitted)
Unavailable: Ashley BROWN (knee – season), Louisa BISBY (knee – season)
