United star in doubt as coach demands better
GOLD Coast United coach Kristian Rees has demanded better from his team after a lacklustre month which may have plunged the club’s finals chances into jeopardy.
After drawing with the Gold Coast Knights in an NPL derby earlier this month, United have since gone down 2-0 to Olympic and drawn with the Magpie Crusaders 0-0, though Rees said there was salvation ahead with a number of key players set to return for tonight’s clash with Redlands.
“I haven’t been too happy with our form but in saying that, in terms of the injuries we’ve had and players away, I can’t fault our effort,” he said.
“A few weeks ago we played the Knights at full strength and drew which was a really great effort from the boys.
“We backed up against Olympic and didn’t get the points but then we drew against Mackay which was a downer.
“We’re going to improve and get a few players back so hopefully we get a great run going in the back end of the year.”
United tonight face the 11th-placed Redlands at home though they will be without captain Michael Thwaite and potentially leading goalscorer Brandon Reeves (knee).
“On paper, it looks like where Redlands are sitting on the ladder, we should get the result at home but it’s harder than it looks,” Rees said.
“We have a few players out and Redlands are fighting for survival.”
With a number of regular players absent, the club has taken the chance to look to the future with teenagers like Lachlan Remmers, Xavier Sproule and Trad Thelwall earning NPL call-ups.
Tonight’s match kicks off at 7.30pm at Coplick Family Sports Park, Tallebudgera.