A reshuffled backline and an opposition who are undefeated at home hasn’t wavered Michael Theoklitos’ confidence ahead of this weekend’s away trip to Newcastle.
A reshuffled backline and an opposition who are undefeated at home hasn-t wavered Michael Theoklitos- confidence ahead of this weekend-s away trip to Newcastle.
Brisbane Roar may be aiming for a record equalling 35 games undefeated in Saturday-s clash at Ausgrid Stadium, but the home side are defending a 100 per cent winning record in their opening three home fixtures this season.
“It-s a tough trip to go to and get points,” Theoklitos said.
“Last year it was two trips down there for us and I think it was two draws.
“The crowd get behind them, it-s a big ground and it-s always windy down there.
“Teams have found it difficult to get results.”
Theoklitos will also marshal a new-look backline from his penalty area on Saturday, with Bahraini international Mohamed Adnan slotting in for Matt Jurman who is away with the Qantas Olyroos.
Adnan has seen an hour of action so far for the reigning Hyundai A-League Champions, and will mark his first start with the club in Newcastle.
However, Brisbane Roar-s goalkeeper was confident it would be “business as usual” at the back.
“You-ve seen Matty Jurman has done a great job for us, but (Mohamed) trains with us every day, he knows how we play.
“Whoever gets called upon you know they-ll do a great job for the team.
“That-s the beauty of our team, whoever has had to step up they have, they haven-t looked out of place and I don-t think Mo will let us down that-s for sure.”
With the weight of expectation falling on the shoulders of the visiting team, Theoklitos said he and his team mates would prepare for the match as they had for the 34 which preceded it, by concentrating on their performance.
“Everyone expects us to win every time we go out on the field, but for us it-s more the performance and in those two games our performances were quite good, especially on the weekend,” he said.
“We created a lot of chances but we just didn-t put them away.
“On another day we probably would have scored three or four, like we did against Adelaide.
“The first thing we look at is the performance, if we get the performance result most times it follows with a result.”
