Defender Jon McKain has assuredly stated that the level of the Reds’ performance against Melbourne Heart on Monday night will be significantly improved from the one they turned out last Saturday.
Defender Jon McKain has assuredly stated that the level of the Reds’ performance against Melbourne Heart on Monday night will be significantly improved from the one they turned out last Saturday.
McKain, who is likely to return to United-s starting line up after missing the clash with Brisbane through suspension, said the players were well aware the performance at home to the Roar was unacceptable and that a strong response is required, particularly with finals not far away.
“We need to find some form. We-ve said it for far too long in the last few weeks…we need to find some form coming into the finals and there-s a good chance this week that we can turn it around because we-ve been training well…we-ve got to start sometime and it needs to be this week,” McKain said.
“The intensity has definitely picked up in the last couple of weeks because we feel like we haven-t performed as we should have, and leading into the finals you want to get on a bit of a run.”
“We as players need to take responsibility to do our jobs on the field and I-m sure you-ll see a different team this week.”
McKain is sure to add some valuable experience and grunt to the Reds wherever he lines up, whether it be slotting into the back four or taking up the holding midfield role that he has fulfilled over the past month.
As it is for any player forced to watch from the stands, last Saturday would have been frustrating viewing for McKain, but he says the atmosphere, effort and standard at training signals that the team is ready to make amends.
“We-re training well so it-s a matter of taking that training into the games,” McKain said.
“There have been signs in games where we-ve played well for patches but we need to take that to an extended period of the game, and we-re confident we can do that.”
Positively, striker Brue Djite trained with the main group today for the first time since suffering an ankle injury, while winger Fabio Ferreira again trained strongly and could be a chance to be included in the travelling party for Melbourne.
The squad will train twice more before heading across the border on Sunday afternoon ahead of Monday night-s 7.00pm ACDT kick-off.
