Words: Aaron Cooper
Image: Andrew Shaw/VisibleFocusPhotography

Brisbane Roar Youth Coach Josh McCloughan says his squad should focus on improving positives taken from their opening two Foxtel National Youth League fixtures.

Young Roar started their Foxtel National Youth League season with two wins against Perth Glory Youth and Melbourne Victory Youth, and currently sit top of Conference A despite a bye last weekend.

McCloughan has repeatedly stressed performance over results and is again looking for improvement as Young Roar resume their campaign against Adelaide United Youth this weekend.

“We’ve done some work on some areas we highlighted from the Melbourne [Victory] game,” McCloughan said when asked about the message for this weekend’s match.

“It’s just about things that we need to keep ticking off to make sure we keep improving as a whole and individually as well.”

Roar boasts a strong emphasis on the development of young talent - including the club’s participation in PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland - and the opening two performances of the Foxtel National Youth League provide reason for optimism.

“There’s a process to everything we do. I know where we are now and where we’ll be in six months,” McCloughan said.

“It’s just about ticking off the boxes as we go.”

McCloughan added the club’s youth policy is already bearing fruit with PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland 2015 Young Player of the Year and Australian youth international Nicholas D’Agostino earning his Hyundai A-League debut against Perth Glory a fortnight ago.

“The boss (Brisbane Head Coach John Aloisi) is happy to bring the players in if they’re ready,” McCloughan said.

“Any young player who thinks about the Brisbane Roar, they know that if they come here and they’re good enough that they’ll get a chance,” McCloughan concluded.

Fixture Details:

Foxtel National Youth League 2015/2016
Round 4 – Sunday, November 29
Adelaide United FC Youth v Brisbane Roar FC Youth
Elite Systems Football Centre, Adelaide
Kick-off at 10:30AM (local time)