He may be one of the younger players in the Reds squad, but Jake Barker-Daish is more than aware of how imperative it is to come good when it counts most.
He may be one of the younger players in the Reds squad, but 19 year old midfielder Jake Barker-Daish is more than aware of how imperative it is to come good when it counts most.
A fortnight out from the finals and with their top four place secure, the Reds- showdown with the Central Coast Mariners on Sunday at Hindmarsh Stadium will provide a fitting finals-type rehearsal and gauge of where they are at.
Having started in the past two games after managing just six appearances off the bench in his first season with the Reds due to national duty and groin trouble, Barker-Daish says the focus amongst the squad in the lead up to facing the Mariners continues to be on improving and taking winning form into the club-s April 7 home Elimination Final.
“We-re preparing for another big game again just like the last two weeks have been, just trying to build up as much form and momentum as we can going into the finals,” Barker-Daish said.
“Central Coast have proven all year that they-re a very strong team, so we-re looking forward to the challenge.”
Entering the penultimate round of the season in fourth spot a point behind third placed Melbourne Victory, the Reds can climb up to third with some positive results and if the Victory slip up.
Barker-Daish, who is hopeful of representing Australia at the upcoming U-20 World Cup in Turkey in June, is not consuming his thoughts with trying to finish third, but instead just making sure the Reds hit their peak at the right time.
“I think each week we-re trying to play as well as we can,” Barker-Daish said.
“We know how important it is trying to build form going into the finals, so I think each game we-re trying to get three points and that third place is still realistic.”
Click here to watch the video of Barker-Daish speaking to the media before training.
