Adelaide United Captain, Craig Goodwin, says the Reds must make Coopers Stadium a happy hunting ground this season ahead of the team’s first match on home soil.
Speaking to media at Coopers Stadium on Friday afternoon, Goodwin praised the effort and determination shown by the squad last week against Sydney.
However the Club’s all-time record goal scorer has challenged his teammates to ensure that intensity is brought into every fixture.
The season’s start:
“When we saw the schedule and the first three games )were) away we knew that was just because the stadium (was getting) ready.
“But, at the same time, it makes it a difficult start to the season.
“We haven’t won yet, which is disappointing because I think the performances have probably deserved a bit more than that, but we take great spirit heading into this first home game, especially off the back of the match in Sydney.
“That effort, that desire, that output (last week against Sydney) is the benchmark for every single game that we play and it has to be at that same level.
“And that’s probably the one thing that was missing from the first two games.
“We created a lot of chances, but we probably didn’t have that intensity in our running and just that desire to win and, as Carl has a sad a lot, that ruthlessness.
“So now we need to blend that together with a perfect performance and what better place to do it than here at Coopers?”
A ‘Good’ return to 90 minutes:
“After having a one week pre-season, if you can call it that (because it was) literally the first week of training, it’s obviously difficult to get the minutes into the legs
“But after 90 minutes under my belt, I’m feeling good.
“I’m happy with the way I’m feeling fitness-wise and performance-wise, it’s there as well.
“I know that there’s a lot more to come from me, but, in particular, from the team as well.
“We’re showing glimpses of what we can do and what we can achieve, but I’m very confident that we’re going to have a good year and we really need to get that going in this next game.”
Must win this weekend?:
“I think we have to approach every game as a must win.
“You have to have the attitude that you’re going out to win the match every single time.
“Yes, in terms of the the break with the World Cup coming up, it is important to try and put as many points on the board as we can and especially games at home.
“We want to make Coopers a fortress, as it’s always been for us, and we have to pick up as many points as possible.”
