Townsville Bulletin

PATH TO SUCCESS JUST OUT THERE

- MARCO MONTEVERDE

ROAR coach John Aloisi says he’s building for the future as well as focusing on the current A- League season as he defends Brisbane’s pedestrian start to their 2017- 18 campaign.

Jeers echoed around Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday at the end of a dour 0- 0 draw between the Roar and competitio­n cellar dwellers Wellington Phoenix.

While the draw was a good result for the Phoenix, for the Roar it was a huge disappoint­ment.

Brisbane’s football was too often tedious and they created little in one of the worst games of the season.

The Roar have won just two of their 10 matches this season and have largely failed to inspire with football that’s a far cry from the style that revolution­ised the A- League and led to the club winning three championsh­ips between 2011 and 2014.

Aloisi has rightfully pointed to a lengthy injury list as a reason for the Roar’s failure to fire.

Unavailabl­e on the weekend were attacking pair Brett Holman and Fahid Ben Khalfallah, key midfielder Thomas Kristensen, goalkeeper Michael Theo and defenders Luke DeVere, Jade North and Avraam Papadopoul­os, who is serving a seven- match suspension for spitting. And things turned even worse when Brisbane’s best player, Frenchman Eric forced off in the hamstring injury.

With the spate of injuries, Aloisi has been forced to turn to the club’s younger brigade, with the likes of Nick D’Agostino, Joe Caletti, Connor O’Toole and Peter Skapetis getting plenty of game time.

“The young boys have really shown they are stepping up and helping,” Aloisi said.

“There’s a bright future for them at Brisbane Roar – and that’s really positive.

“I know a lot people don’t care about that at the moment, they just care about the results, which I understand, but I care about building this club and making sure it is in Bautheac, was first half with a a good position not only today but tomorrow.”

However, Aloisi admitted the Roar were “desperate” ahead of their clash against Melbourne Victory at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday night. Like the Roar, the Victory have battled and are on the same points, 10, as Brisbane.

“Victory want to come here and would like get the three points. We’re no different, we want to get the three points at home in front of our fans,” Aloisi said.

“It’s going to be a good game, both teams desperate. I’m sure our fans will come out in numbers and back us and support us, because we’re all in it together and it’s going to be an entertaini­ng game.”

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