Piddick’s progress
New United coach sees big goals
GOLD Coast United’s new coach Grae Piddick has a plan to get his side back to the top.
Piddick took the role three months after being dumped by National Premier Leagues Queensland rivals Gold Coast Knights.
The 2019 NPLQ-winning coach said he was looking forward to working with United young playing group.
“I live on the Gold Coast and I’m passionate about Gold Coast football,” he said.
“I think there’s a lot of potential for the city to have a team who can go somewhere.
“United have been in the A-League before and they’ve publicly stated they want to get back to the highest level.
“For me it’d be great to be a part of that journey and help them get there.”
To make the step up from its 11th placing in 2020, Piddick wants his team to lift its intensity and presence.
“I always want to have sides who are proactive, looking to play good football and take it to the opposition with or without the ball,” he said.
“The avenues we can build on are what the team has already got.
“I want the boys to get out there and let the opposition know they’re playing United.
“At end of the game they should know they’ve had a tough match and we’ve got a satisfactory result. We’re going to be positive and play natural football with young players who want to be aggressive and go for it.”
A high-risk, high-reward style of play is in Piddick’s DNA. It helped carry the Gold Coast Knights to a championship but the style is fraught with danger.
Young players must learn to balance all-out aggression with restraint.
Piddick said the experience of senior leaders in United, like former Socceroos defender Michael Thwaite, would be invaluable in helping youngsters take that step.