Words: Aaron Cooper
Image: Albert Perez/Football Queensland

Brisbane Roar Youth striker Harry Sawyer says results will come if the Young Roar continue to perform and develop collectively.

Young Roar are looking to bounce back from consecutive Foxtel National Youth League away defeats this Saturday against Adelaide United Youth, who defeated Young Roar 1-0 earlier in the season.

Young Roar’s squad will be refreshed following a last round bye but are set for a stern test against the Young Reds, who currently top Conference A of the Foxtel National Youth League, six points ahead of Young Roar.

Sawyer, who was recruited to Young Roar after impressing for Western Pride and the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Under 23 All-Stars in 2015, hopes hard work in training is exhibited on the pitch but stressed performances and continued development remain the priority over results.

“The last two weeks we’ve been focusing on what Josh thinks we can do better and where we need to improve,” Sawyer said.

“If we’re improving in those aspects then hopefully it will show on game day.”

Sawyer believes that the consistency in game play and tactics throughout the whole club is aiding the squad’s progress.

“The club is set up so every side is implementing the same structure and ideas and the training sessions are the same,” Sawyer said.

“You’re never feeling out of place and you know what you have to do to get where you want to be.”

Young Roar Coach Josh McCloughan is pleased with his squad’s development throughout the opening games of the season and says he will continue to push his young players to improve each week.

“From the start the application and intent from the group has been very good,” McCloughan said.

“The style of football is new to some of the players but they’re taking it on board. Every day I’m still challenging them to make sure we take big steps forward.”

McCloughan says while it is a long process, he strives to see his players develop into first-team players at the Roar.

“These things take time and they don’t happen overnight even for first-team players,” he said.

“The most important part for me is implementing the style and structures we want to play.”

“It’s purely about in 18 months, I want to be able to take players to the boss (Brisbane Roar Head Coach John Aloisi) who can move on to the next level.”

Fixture Details:

Foxtel National Youth League 2015/2016 – Round 7

Brisbane Roar FC Youth v Adelaide United FC Youth
Saturday, December 19
Cleveland Showgrounds, Redlands
Kick-off at 10:30AM (local time)