The Reds are vowing to bring the fans and excitement back to Hindmarsh after a forgettable two home matches.
The Reds are vowing to bring the fans and excitement back to Hindmarsh after a forgettable two home matches.
Adelaide United-s first home game of the season against Melbourne Victory back on October 14 attracted a 14,753 strong crowd coming together to barrack for their beloved team. The atmosphere at Hindmarsh was euphoric as Red fans celebrated a third successive triumph over their bitter rivals.
Now nine games into the season and this passion seems to have slowly dwindled. How quickly things can change. A crowd of 8,437 saw the Reds fall to the Central Coast Mariners last Friday night and the players realise the need to win back the faith of the United faithful.
Many have been quick to point the finger at Coach Rini Coolen and the Dutchman has accepted responsibility but at the same time continues to fully back his side, saying that he still believes that the team has a chance to be in the top six and qualify for the finals.
Not only is Coolen remaining positive, but the players are also galvanising together, attacking midfielder Zenon Caravella confident that finals are still a definite possibility. Caravella believes the Reds can turn it around, and that they just need to find something within themselves to do better.
“We have the players, we have the coach, we have the right tactics, just for some reason it-s not coming together, but every week we are working on it and I don-t think its time to push the panic button,” Caravella said.
Fellow midfielder Fabian Barbiero has identified the need to play consecutive games with a settled line up in order to build confidence and get results, something the Reds have not been able to do for much of the season to date.
“We have the quality, we just need to put it together. We need to demand more from ourselves and put in a solid performance week in and week out,” Barbiero said.
In preparation for Saturday night-s clash against the Victory at Etihad Stadium, Coolen is focusing on his team-s performance, while he is also looking forward to having defender Nigel Boogaard back from suspension Sergio van Dijk from a calf injury.
A win against Melbourne Victory would be a considerable and necessary confidence boost for the Reds, and hopefully restores faith in an army of disappointed fans towards a side that has much potential.
