WESTERN Pride are showing positive signs of regaining the team's strong late-season form as the National Premier Leagues Queensland season approaches, according to vice captain Will Jordan.

Speaking after Pride’s 4-3 victory against North Star in the Silver Boot Cup pre-season competition, Jordan said he is pleased with the side’s preparations ahead of their NPL season opener Moreton Bay Jets on March 1^st.

“I think we’re doing okay, it’s still early days – we only came together earlier this month,” Jordan said.

“There are positive signs that we’re starting where we left off last year.”

Jordan said the focus has been more on the manner in which the team plays, along with building fitness.

“We’re definitely focusing more on the way we’re trying to play instead of the actual score line,” he said. “It’s about getting some kilometres in the tank as well.

“There is definitely fitness that you can work on in training and then there’s match fitness and you can’t get it without playing in these matches,” he explained further.

“We’re building up towards a good game against Olympic (this Wednesday) which is going to basically set us up where we are at the end of pre-season.”

The preparations for the clash with defending NPL Queensland Premiers Olympic were helped by the return of captain Niall McCarthy for the match against North Star, after he missed Pride’s Silver Boot opener last week due to a hip injury.

 “Niall pulled out late last week and I suppose it left a bit of that communication off the field which we really need,” the winger said.

“We need to work on improving that all over the park this year.

“But Niall brings something special to the side, when things are down he lifts the players and when they’re in our favour he really motivates us to keep pushing on and get through the game.”

Jordan also praised the work of two other established players in the side, Russell Woodruffe and Peter Drager, who both showed positive signs ahead of the NPL season by getting on the score sheet.

“Those two are the benchmark of how hard our team works,” Jordan said.

“It starts at the front, with those two boys working hard it makes it easier for not only the midfield and the defenders but also the goalkeeper behind them, just knowing that they’re putting in that much effort that far up the field.”

Pride take on Olympic FC next Wednesday (5th February) in an all-NPL clash in the Silver Boot - with the winner of the match to progress from the group to the knock-out stages of the pre-season tournament.

They were one of two NPL teams to defeat last season’s Premiers on their home pitch, with an impressive 5-4 win in the final match of the home and away season in August.

 

Words: Michael Cormack (Western Pride FC)
Image: Nick Milton (Sunshine Coast FC Fire)