17/11/23
Above: New Brisbane Roar head coach Alex Smith speaks to the media today. Image: Brisbane Roar.
Brisbane Roar
by Ben Gilby
Ahead of his first game in charge of the club, new Brisbane Roar boss Alex Smith has outlines what he wants to see from his team against Western United at Ballymore Stadium on Sunday.
There will be a lot more intensity in what we do. There is going to be intensity in pressing, and when we have the ball, there will be quite a bit more discipline.”
It’s been a breakneck few days for Smith since he took over from Garrath McPherson as Roar boss, but he’s clear that change needs to start immediately, and he is working extremely hard to bring about an upward swing in the club’s consistent results and performances.
“I’ve spent the last two or three days trying to get my head around things,” Smith admitted, “it’s a tough one, you can come in and change things straight away, which is how I’m doing things, or gradually do it. I’m a new coach and I have my own ways of working…the old coach (Garrath McPherson) had his, and that was his decision. He put the squad together, so it’s about me coming in and trying to mould it to the way I want to play.”
To emphasise the work ethic he is determined to instill into his new charges, and the reality of the situation he has walked into, the Roar head coach said: “I’m pretty intense, I’m pretty serious. We try to be as professional as we can be in the circumstances. I played for a long time, so I understand where the players are coming from. From my point of view, everything will be done to a very high standard, both on and off the pitch.
“It’s a good squad (but) there’s a lot of work to do…a lot of hard work. The result last weekend (a 1-1 draw at Central Coast Mariners) wasn’t what it should have been regardless of who was in charge and the girls know that.”
Newcastle Jets
Newcastle Jets today announce the signing of Matildas midfielder and local product Emily van Egmond on a four-game guest stint.
Van Egmond joins the Jets after recently finishing the season with San Diego Wave in the National Women’s Soccer League.
The midfielder has previously played for the Jets and has made a total of 59 appearances for the club after making her debut in 2008 and is an inaugural member of the Newcastle Jets team.
Speaking about Van Egmond’s return home, Jets captain Cass Davis said: “The team and I are beyond excited to have Emily here with us for the next few games. She has had an extensive career so far at the highest level, with a lot of players including myself, look up to her.
“We’re looking forward to playing with her and learning from her. I believe that we have a number of talented young players in this squad and by having someone of Emily’s stature involved in the team it will only benefit their development this season.”
Van Egmond is available to play in this Sunday’s A-League Women encounter against Melbourne City at Number Two Sportsground.
Wellington Phoenix
by Ryan Miller-Woods
Marisa van der Meer and Hope Breslin outlined some of the keys to the club’s successes this season when they spoke to the media today ahead of their match against Central Coast Mariners on Saturday.
Wellington has been a team reborn under Head Coach Paul Temple this season, with three wins in the first four matches putting the Phoenix third on the A-League Women’s ladder. Overall, they have been playing in a style that is getting the absolute most out of the players on the pitch, scoring eight goals and conceding just three.
Van der Meer noted the importance of the team’s “connections on the field,” and “how the style of playing has…catered to the players that we do have in the team.”
The Phoenix’s upcoming opponents Central Coast Mariners will be an intriguing encounter between the two sides, as they played each other a week out from the beginning of the season. The Phoenix prevailed on the day, winning 3-2 with goals from Emma Main, Manaia Elliot, and Chloe Knott.
Van der Meer outlined the importance of that encounter was ahead of this weekend’s clash. “It’s obviously helpful that we know a bit about them. It was a good game but teams change and we’ve just started to play a few games, so I think it’ll be interesting to see what changes but also how we’re playing, we’re just building and building and improving.”
Breslin also highlighted the confidence that pre-season clash between the two sides will bring to the Nix tomorrow. I think it gives us a little bit more confidence…(but) we still have to go in with a clear mind and that confidence, play how we know how to play and I think the success will come.”
The midfielder also expanded on how she feels she is fitting in after arriving at the club ahead of this season. “I think so far, so good. I definitely feel like I can be better and that will come with time but I think the team and the way that we’ve been playing really helps my own individual game and the players around me just make it a lot more easier.”
Ben Gilby’s report on Perth Glory‘s media conference yesterday with head coach Alex Epakis and captain Tash Rigby can be read by clicking here: https://impetusfootball.org/2023/11/16/epakis-perth-pride-ahead-of-big-day-for-captain-rigby/
Follow Impetus on social media – we’re @ImpetusFootball on Threads, Instagram, X (Twitter), and Facebook. DON’T MISS our brand new TikTok platform @ImpetusFootball too!
impetusfootball.org 