Adelaide United Weary Of Wounded Brisbane Roar - Travis Dodd

The Reds captain will be demanding full concentration from his players at Hindmarsh on Friday.

Nov 4, 2009 1:42:47 AM

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Travis Dodd, Adelaide United Captain

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Travis Dodd

Adelaide United is fully aware of the dangers that a Brisbane Roar team desperately seeking to put an end to an ordinary run of results can pose, when the teams meet at Hindmarsh Stadium on Friday night.

Having returned from a cautious but solid performance in a scoreless draw with the Central Coast Mariners in Canberra, a reinvigorated Reds outfit now turns its attention to a visit from a Brisbane Roar team struggling for results of late, and hoping ignite their season again with a win at Hindmarsh Stadium.

The Roar have been as high as third, back in Round 6, but just a point from their past five games has seen them spiral down the table, and Reds Captain Travis Dodd is only too aware United will need to be on full guard against a wounded Roar.

As Brisbane’s squad continues to familiarise itself with a new coach at the helm, Dodd knows they will be gunning for a win anyway they can get it on Friday night, and that the Reds will need to match it in intensity and desperation with their opponents in order to come out in front.

Following last week’s players only meeting to discuss and address where they are at and where they want to head this season, Dodd says it will be imperative that The Reds are mentally strong and ready ahead of every contest.

“They (Brisbane Roar) have come off four losses and a draw so they’re going to be desperate coming to Hindmarsh, and we really need to start picking up points,” Dodd said.

“I think it’s just a matter of the group, we all have to drive each other throughout training this week and that’s something I’ll be focusing on with Lucas and the other senior boys, to make sure that everyone’s heads are right throughout the week and for the game.”

Coming up to the half way point of the season this weekend, The Reds also find themselves starting to feel a touch of urgency, United sitting just three points ahead of the Roar and with only three wins from seven encounters at Hindmarsh Stadium so far. The run into the finals has United away for three of the final four rounds, and Dodd is aware that every point is crucial from here on in.

“The back end of the season is a difficult one for us, so especially at home we need to get three points,” Dodd said.

Coach Aurelio Vidmar was pleased to see his team take a step forward against the Mariners despite not taking all three points, but he has made it clear to his charges that they must take a committed and workmanlike approach into the match with the Roar.

“It doesn’t matter what formation you play or what team is out there, whoever goes out on the park needs to know they’ve got a job to do, it’s as simple as that,” Vidmar said.

“It’s a game of football, everyone has got responsibilities in those roles and they need to fulfil them.”

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