Another strong week at training has defender Connor O’Toole confident that the Roar can string together back-to-back wins for the first time this season, tomorrow night in Adelaide.
The Roar head to the City of Churches on the back of a maiden win of the season — a 2-0 victory over Melbourne City last round.
O’Toole praised a whole-team performance, from which he earned himself an appearance in the Hyundai A-League Team of the Week, and says all indicators point to a similar showing tomorrow night.
“We definitely deserved the win last week. We’ve trained well again this week and a win on the road would set us up nicely,” O’Toole said.
“I think everyone played their role last week and when that happens it lets me do what I can do to help the team.”
As a former member of the Reds Youth set up, tomorrow night’s clash has a little extra in it for the young defender who has certainly grasped his opportunity in Brisbane with both hands.
“The coaching staff at the Roar have given opportunities to a lot of young boys and have a lot of confidence in us. With that backing, it makes it a lot easier to play our game,” O’Toole added.
“It’d be good to get the three points there [in Adelaide]. When I came to Brisbane after that stint, it really made me want that professional contract more, and to beat Adelaide.
“We’re in good shape to get the points tomorrow.”
Having hailed from Adelaide himself, Head Coach John Aloisi believes the occasion won’t get the better of his young fullback.
“He [O’Toole] is a hard worker and always looking for ways to improve,” Aloisi said.
“He’s a player who thrives on the big occasions. Even if he feels like he has a point to prove, he just needs to look at performing for his club and himself, and not worry about anything else.”
After paying for a number of slow starts in the opening rounds, the Head Coach was thrilled with his side’s intensity from the opening whistle last round.
Aloisi also says that last week’s maiden win has brought with it a notable boost among the squad ahead of what will be a tough test against the Reds.
“We noticed it [a boost] after the Wanderers game, and more so now [after last week’s win]. The boys are looking really sharp, enjoying training and looking forward to playing,” Aloisi continued.
“They [Adelaide United] are a very well structured team that we know can cause problems. We know they haven’t won at home yet, but Coopers [Stadium] is not an easy place to go and we know it’s going to be a tough encounter.
“Even though we love playing at Suncorp [Stadium], we love playing away too. Nobody expects us to win, but we believe that we will.”
MATCH DETAILS
Hyundai A-League 2018/19 – Round 6: Adelaide United v Brisbane Roar
Coopers Stadium, Adelaide
Friday, 30 November (6:50pm KO)
Brisbane Roar FC squad: 1.Brendan WHITE (gk), 4.Daniel BOWLES, 6.Avram PAPADOPOULOS, 7.Thomas KRISTENSEN, 8.Jacob PEPPER, 9.Adam TAGGART, 11.Eric BAUTHEAC, 13.Stefan MAUK, 14.Alex LOPEZ, 15.Stefan NIGRO, 17.Matt MCKAY (c), 18.Joe CALETTI, 19.Jack HINGERT, 21.Jamie YOUNG (gk), 22.Tobias MIKKELSEN, 23.Dylan WENZEL-HALLS, 24.Connor O’TOOLE, 33.HENRIQUE **two to be omitted**
Ins: 13.Stefan MAUK (promoted), 18.Joe CALETTI (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 10.Brett HOLMAN (knee – TBC)
