NPL the main focus for Thunder outfit
Coach will adapt system to suit his team’s strengths
SOCCER: The Kappa Silver Boot will provide the building blocks for the SWQ Thunder’s 2018 NPL campaign.
The Thunder face Ipswich Knights in the first of three cup games this Thursday determined to win but with one eye on the season ahead.
Coach Francesco Zanoncelli said he would use the pre-season competition to assess the strengths of his squad and adopt a style that played to those strengths.
“Our strikers are very good,” Zanoncelli said.
“But we still like to have more experience in the midfield and a good centre back.
“Step by step, training (session) by training we will look at the players and organise the team.
“Then I will adapt my system to suit the players and the team.
“We want to win in the Silver Boot but our focus is on the championship.”
The fitness and long-term health of his players will also be at the front of Zanoncelli’s mind.
“I will look at the fitness of the players this week and train them appropriately,” he said.
“We must look at the fitness and health of the players because that is important. We do not want injuries before the season begins.”
New recruits Travis Cooper, Chris Hatfield and
Step by step, training (session) by training we will look at the players and organise the team. — Francesco Zanoncelli
Federico Brusaca will feature against the Knights.
“We must be careful with Federico. He is just here (in Australia) from Italy and he is tired and jet lagged. They will all play but I do not for how long yet.”