Words: Steve Pitman, Brisbane Strikers
Image: Brisbane Strikers

Brisbane Strikers coach Chay Hews is demanding consistency from his Brisbane Strikers team this weekend as they journey to Toowoomba for their first competitive fixture in the ‘Garden City’ in eight years.

The last time Strikers played Toowoomba opposition was on 20 May, 2006 in the Brisbane Premier League, when Bobby Hamilton’s premiership and cup-winning team of that year played Toowoomba Raiders and drew 2-2.

Eight years on there are no survivors from that squad in the one that Hews will be taking up the range with one key word ringing in their ears – “consistency”.

In their five matches in the NPL so far this year the Strikers have proved enigmatic.

At home they have beaten all three of the teams who finished above them in the league last year – Olympic FC, Brisbane City and Sunshine Coast Fire. But on the road the Strikers have two losses from two – to Redlands United and Northern Fury.

Hews has been convinced since the pre-season that his team has the raw footballing ability to challenge for honours this year.

After last Sunday’s convincing 3-0 win over City, Hews has been at pains to remind his players that they will need to back that up with another big performance to gain three points this weekend.

“I think the key to it is in hard work in training and striving to better yourself each week and demanding quality of yourself and the people around you”, Hews said.

“I think that with that, eventually, you get a consistency about the way you play.”

“But it’s not an easy thing to do and obviously football is a team sport, so you need to somehow get that working across the whole team”.

As a first year coach Hews has to figure out how to translate his own playing mindset and habits into fifteen players with differing personalities and skill sets every weekend.

He admits this is a challenge but is optimistic that the Strikers currently have the right circumstances to achieve it.

“I think what will work in our favour is the amount of players we have in our group who are now fit and ready to try and take a spot”, Hews said.

“They are all ready with their hands up at the moment so, if the quality is not there and someone’s not performing, at the moment there is someone to take your place.

“I think it’s that little bit of pressure now that is hopefully going to provide the consistency for us - and the fact that these guys really want to do well and win games.”

”That combination will certainly point us in the right direction, I think”.

There is no doubt the Strikers are favourites to win on Sunday.  They currently have nine points and are positioned sixth on the league table, two points behind leaders Moreton Bay Jets heading into this weekend’s fixtures.

In contrast, Thunder are propping up the table with no points.

Hews suggested, however, that sometimes the favoured team in this scenario can find it tough going once the game gets underway.

“These are the hard games to get motivated (about) and sometimes playing these games against a team like the Thunder, sometimes you might have a bit more time on the ball than you get used to”, Hews said. 

“And that can become a problem. When we train we try to put the players under pressure ,and sometimes your decision making changes – and not always for the better”.

“That can make it harder and sometimes players can go into it with the wrong frame of mind, thinking we might win this game easily.”

“So I’ve sort of drummed that into my blokes this week and we just want to make sure it doesn’t happen”.

 With the game scheduled to kick off at 3.00 pm on Sunday, fans of both clubs are in for a bonus– a second game in the shape of a rescheduled NPL Youth game between the two clubs. 

The fixture initially scheduled for Perry Park a fortnight ago, but postponed on that occasion, will now be played following the main game at 5.00 pm.