Zenon Caravella says the Reds playing group is hurting just as much as the fans at the club’s current plight, but he is adamant there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Zenon Caravella says the Reds playing group is hurting just as much as the fans at the club-s current plight, but he is adamant there is light at the end of the tunnel.
From those that were at Hindmarsh to witness it, to all those thousands of Reds fans around the country, to Coach Rini Coolen, the players and everyone involved with the club, it is fair to state the overriding emotion following the loss to the Mariners was one of utter disappointment.
Following up the previous week-s scoreless draw against Newcastle with the worst home defeat in the club-s history was definitely not what the doctor ordered for the Reds, and Caravella, like the majority of United supporters in the crowd that night, was at a loss as to how it all went so wrong, especially after a bright start.
“I thought in the first 15 minutes we were looking quite good and then when they got the first goal it sort of unravelled from there,” Caravella lamented as he spoke at the club-s recovery session.
“Obviously at home you want to win, score goals and make it an entertaining game, especially for our fans, but that didn-t happen and it-s very disappointing.”
After a result like the one against the Mariners, it could be easy for players to go into their shells and cast serious doubt on themselves and their team mates, but Caravella has been around long enough to know differently.
The midfielder with 82 Hyundai A-League games experience says while the squad will review the game, they are not going to dwell on the result and have already moved all of their focus onto facing Melbourne Victory on Saturday.
Caravella believes it is squarely the responsibility of every United player to demand more of themselves, which will correlate to a lift from the entire group.
“It-s just a matter of us sticking together and producing results, I don-t think it comes down to pressure on anyone in particular, we have to do better within ourselves,” Caravella said.
“I don-t think it-s time to push the panic button. I think we-ve just got to keep working hard and I think it will turn around.”
“Things can change very quickly in football. Two or three good games will see us jump right up there again, it-s just a matter of doing it.”
Hopefully Caravella-s optimism and positivity is contagious among the Reds as they prepare to face an equally desperate Victory at Etihad on Saturday in a game that is crucial for both clubs.
