Words: Steve Pitman
Image: Brisbane Strikers

Returned Brisbane Strikers coach Chay Hews says he is relishing the challenge of a demanding run of fixtures to close out the NPL Queensland home and away season.

Hews will again be in charge tonight against FNQ FC Heat at Perry Park after missing Strikers historic Westfield FFA Cup win in Newcastle on Tuesday.

Strikers will follow tonight's home clash with a mid-week clash with league leaders Palm Beach as well as closing out the season with an away trip to fellow finals contenders Moreton Bay United at the end of the month.

He said the battle for a top four finish, which sees eight clubs still in the hunt for finals football, is exciting for Queensland football.

“It’s good for the league that it is like it is”, Hews explained.

“I’d like to be secure in the top four, but I also like this excitement. I do like the fact that the league seems to be evening out now and there’s a lot of teams that could make the four.”

“It’s great for football in Queensland.  It’s certainly created a bit of interest and the FFA Cup (has) put a bit more focus on it.  Hopefully it will be a bit of a snowball effect and keep going,” he added.

Ahead of tonight’s clash with fourth placed Heat, Hews said he wasn’t unduly focused on opposition midfielder Alex Smith, who netted a hat-trick in the Cairns club’s 3-0 win over Strikers earlier in the season.

“I’m not a real big fan of focusing on one or two players. I think the reason (Heat) are going well is because they’ve got a pretty good team,” Hews explained.

“Alex Smith is a worry for us, and there’s a couple of others I’ll focus on a little bit, but I think that most of the games where I’ve pointed out players that could hurt us, it’s seemed to work against us,” he added.

Asked if he was concerned about his side backing up from Tuesday’s extra-time win in Newcastle against Broadmeadow Magic, Hews said he was more concerned on the mental fatigue.

“To focus on the game this weekend is twice as hard, so that’s the area I’m concerned about – getting their minds back on how tough it’s going to be this weekend”, Hews said.

Kick-off between Strikers and Heat is scheduled for 6PM tonight at Perry Park.