AAP
With their A-League season on the line Melbourne Heart coach John Aloisi has implored his inconsistent players to show some fight against Western Sydney.
Ahead of their clash with the Wanderers at AAMI Park on Saturday afternoon, Aloisi forecast changes to the line-up after two recent limp performances.
Skipper Fred is likely to win a recall to the starting side after making a return from a hamstring injury through the bench.
Aloisi's men still have a massive challenge even to make the finals, while their opponents can all but seal the premiers' plate to cap a stunning debut season.
"It's a big game for both sides because they're going for a record of 10 wins in a row and we want to stay alive for the finals," Aloisi said.
The coach said the message this week had been clear for the players after Monday's 2-0 loss to Adelaide dropped the Heart to second last.
"The message has been to compete," Aloisi said.
"We need to challenge every 50:50 ball.
"That's the biggest thing against a side like Western Sydney because you know they're going to do that and so we have to do the same."
He believed Heart players had a habit of dropping their heads after conceding an early goal - something they needed to shake.
Aloisi said there was no doubt his side could play good football and said they would be a force if they got a chance in the finals.
"We need to make sure we fight to the end.
"If we end up losing like that, then I don't mind."
Baby-faced teen Jeremy Walker is part of the Heart's future after the 19-year-old became the first Tasmanian player to earn a professional A-League contract, signing a one-year deal.
Since replacing China-bound Socceroo Michael Marrone, Walker has played 11 matches for the Heart, including a man-of-the-match performance in the Heart's 3-1 win over Sydney FC on February 24.
The Heart need to win on Saturday, as well as their remaining two games to make the play-offs.
No comments:
Post a Comment