Dodd's Blog
Adelaide Prepare To Face Gold Coast Post by: Travis Dodd 18 November, 2009 - 10:49 PM
Careful, we might score! (Photo: Getty Images)
What is it going to take to start scoring some goals? This is the question we have been asking ourselves over the break we have had.
Once again we got into some great scoring opportunities only to see more failed attempts on goal. Another missed penalty, missing one on ones. These are the kind of chances that can turn a game around for us. We can’t dwell on it too much though.
Hard work on the training track and the desire to win from everyone is what is needed to get us out the lean spell we are currently experiencing.
Hopefully the break will have done us good. We would have loved to go in with a win under our belts, but its not the way it has worked out. The boys have been very motivated over the last 2 weeks, everyone is dying to get out there again and start the second half of the season on a high with a win and 3 points Friday night.
It will be a very different approach from us this week. With a change of formation and attitude the Gold Coast will not get nearly as much time and space to play as they had last time round.
I think in the last encounter we probably focused too much on how they played and on their strengths and not enough on our own game. We already know they are a good footballing side, but they are also a very beatable one.
If we go out with that attitude and belief in one and other that we can play well and can win, then we can start to make things happen.
We ended up having a couple days completely off over the break. The team didn’t get together or anything like that, we went off and did our own thing, which was good. After seeing the guys almost everyday for the last 6 months it was relaxing to have some time away from Jambo’s whinging.
I did a bit of manual labour on one of our days off. I helped a mate out for a couple of hours shovelling concrete in the 40 degree heat….. I didn’t have a choice though really, he was doing some work at my house for nothing! I couldn’t stand by and watch him go, but I think I would make a decent supervisor. Thankfully it was only for a short time and I could get back to my ‘real job’.
I have come across quite a few friends who would dispute that my ‘real job’ is nothing more than a paid hobby. I often wonder how these ‘friends’ would cope if they were in my shoes, getting yelled at everyday expected to everything perfect every time. No different to being married I guess!
Competition for spots in the starting 11 is heating up.
With just about everyone available for selection, everyone is keen to prove himself to get a crack at going against Gold Coast. It is good for the team to have this. It spurs everyone on at training and I’m sure that will spill over the Friday night for the game.
Our fans and crowds have been outstanding this season. Even though we haven’t been getting the best results, you guys have been sticking by us. The players really appreciate it and we want to start repaying that faith you have shown in us this week. The weather has been great and the boys hope that we can get a full house for the game.
We are desperate to pick up all 3 points and will be giving everything we’ve got to try get them. I hope to see you there to celebrate with us as we turn our season around and start our run towards the finals.
There are not a lot of home games remaining, so we need your support more than ever to help get us over the line.
