Brisbane Roar coach Ange Postecoglou is confident his revamped squad is on-course to start the 2010/11 Hyundai A-League with a bang.
Overseeing a lengthy pre-season program, the Brisbane mentor – along with his coaching staff – has worked tirelessly to construct a winning team.
And with the start of the new season just over the horizon, Postecoglou believes his squad are starting to find the form and rhythm needed to take the league by storm.
“Pre-season is tracking well so far,” Postecoglou said.
“We-ve been going for about five to six weeks so we-ve got a bit of a way to go … but overall I-m really happy.
“The new players are fitting in well and we still have a few additions to add to the squad.
“Currently we are still looking for a new striker and defender.”
Brisbane has brought in eight fresh faces to the squad and with the exception of midfielder Erik Paartalu – who arrives in Brisbane this week – all the club-s new players have reported for pre-season training.
But with the squad-s new acquisitions arriving at different times, the Roar coaching staff have been forced to tinker with individual schedules.
However, Postecoglou said his squad was quickly building a positive team dynamic – despite a few players still being held back from full training.
“Shane Stefanutto is coming off his knee reconstruction but he is working hard and is on track to come back when he was originally slated to,” Postecoglou said.
“Thomas Broich has fitted in pretty quickly, but obviously it will take a little while for him to understand the game here.
“Rocky Visconte is a little behind in terms of fitness so were doing some extra work with him, but I expect them to be ready to go come the start of the season.”
And with the Roar Roadshow tour in full flight, the squad has had the opportunity to get some handy game time against some of the best teams in South-East Queensland.
“The Roar Roadshow training matches have been good hit-outs for us,” Postecoglou said.
“When you-re training all the time, it-s good to have a game to see where you-re at.
“We-re looking for further progression from our team, just to keep improving every time we play, and if we get that I-ll be happy.”
The Brisbane Roar visit Peninsula Power at A.J. Kelly Park tonight (June 08).
Gates open at 4pm, with kick-off scheduled to start at 7.15pm.
