Stefan Mauk says the morale within the squad is extremely high following Adelaide United’s impressive form.
A blistering first-half performance saw the Reds equal their biggest away win in the A-League after a 4-1 triumph over Newcastle Jets, and extending their winning streak to five matches in the process.
Mauk said the mood amongst the playing group was upbeat.
“I think in football clubs when you’re winning games everyone is excited to come in first day back,” Mauk told the media at Coopers Stadium.
“I think it was our best performance especially in the first-half and the best we’d been with the ball.
“And I think that’s the most encouraging thing, is I think we’ve been getting better each week.”
With the Reds now in third place, Mauk admitted he never doubted the team’s potential and that they could put together a string of consistent and positive results.
“I always believed we had a good team and a good coaching staff,” he said.
“I think early on in the season it was just finding the consistency with the same starting eleven which we struggled with, with injuries and we still are now.
“But we all understand our roles a little bit better and it’s coming together quite nicely with the mix of experience and inexperience and everyone’s playing their role.”
The 25-year-old midfielder is arguably in career best form, scoring four goals in his last four games and six in ten for the season.
“It’s one of those things again, it’s like winning – it’s a habit,” he said.
“I’m very confident in my ability to score every game I go out there and the way we’ve set up as a team I think it really suits me.
“And I know I’m going to get the assists, and I guess from the wide players and from Kusini (Yengi) up top, he’s been playing really well and it’s all coming together nicely.”
Adelaide will be targeting a sixth straight win in the league for the first time since January 2006 when they host Sydney FC on Sunday.
However, the Reds have not beaten the Sky Blues in the competition since April 2016.
“They’ve been the best side in the last three years let’s say,” Mauk explained.
“Maybe they’re not in the best form at the moment, but they’ve got a similar squad and they’ve got great players that can win games.
“They’ve got a tough game tonight against Perth Glory, so we’ll be able to see how they line up and we’re all really excited to get out there and play in front of our home fans.”
Next match details:
Sunday, 28 March vs Sydney FC
A-League 2020/21 – Matchweek 14
Kick-off 5.40pm ACDT
Gates open 4.30pm ACDT
Venue: Coopers Stadium
Broadcast: Fox Sports
Stream: Kayo Sports, MyFootball Live App
