Adelaide United defender Ryan Kitto says the team’s confidence is growing with each passing game.
The Reds returned from a five-day pre-season camp in Victoria where they played three friendlies with Kitto hailing the experience as valuable preparation for the upcoming season.
“I think obviously it was valuable time when you’re away on a camp,” Kitto said.
“It enables you to spend quality time with the team, but also it gives the coach access to you for 24 hours a day I guess.
“It gives us an opportunity to learn the style even further that Gertjan wants to play and obviously it was very good for us to be able to play A-League opposition and get some important minutes into the legs.”
Adelaide played out a goalless draw with Western United on the weekend before splitting results against Melbourne City.
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╬═╬/▌ just dropping in to say
╬═╬/ tickets are on sale: https://t.co/j3io0QESDA pic.twitter.com/RmFC0Vev9p— Adelaide United (@AdelaideUnited) September 24, 2019
Kitto played the full 90 minutes in the main friendly as Adelaide prevailed 2-1 thanks to goals from Al Hassan Toure and Jordan Elsey, and felt the team was travelling well.
“I think we’re getting strong every game which is a positive sign,” he said.
“Yesterday’s hit out against Melbourne City I thought considering the tough workload we’ve had was a very positive result.
“So with each game we’re growing stronger, we’re getting a better understanding of the game style of one another and hopefully we can continue to get better.”
He added that the performance and victory was also a good indication that the team has grown over the course of the pre-season under Gertjan Verbeek’s tutelage.
“I think the positive thing was we played them earlier in the pre-season and probably didn’t play as well as we would’ve liked to,” he stated.
“And I think for us to not only get I suppose a good result, but put in a positive performance shows how far we’ve come and definitely gives the group confidence in what we’re doing.”
.@JordanElsey1 talks about areas for improvement and our Cup clash with the Mariners. #AUFC
📰 Read more: https://t.co/KdNo957N4H
📸: Chris Kelly Photographics pic.twitter.com/KnnsjsmAUg— Adelaide United (@AdelaideUnited) September 23, 2019
Kitto believes the Reds are now well prepared for their semi-final contest with Central Coast Mariners next Wednesday night.
“We got valuable minutes into the legs and an exciting opportunity on Wednesday against Central Coast being a Semi-final,” he said.
“It’s obviously a good opportunity for us to put ourselves in a good space to win that first bit of silverware that’s available.”
The left-back warned the Mariners are a much-improved outfit with Alen Stajcic at the helm.
“Obviously in the A-League teams are constantly changing,” he said
“It seems from afar Central Coast have improved and got some very good results so far in the cup.
“It’s going to be a very difficult and now that we’re just under a week out from that match I’m sure we’ll start to review them closely and work out what we’re going to do to go into game to hopefully be successful.”
Adelaide United face Central Coast Mariners in the Semi-finals of the FFA Cup 2019 on Wednesday, 2 October at Central Coast Stadium. Kick-off is at 7.00pm ACST. Live and Exclusive on Fox Sports and Kayo Sports.
