Hager demanding more
HE might not have been anywhere near as frustrated as two days ago but Black Sticks coach Mark Hager was not exactly smiling after yesterday’s test series clincher against Malaysia.
After watching the rookie Black Sticks lineup fall to a shock 1-0 loss on Thursday night in Stratford, Hager was always going to demand a massive improvement.
While he got some amends through a 5-2 scoreline, he did not get the big strides of improvement in overall performance.
‘‘We just have to learn that when you are up on top you have to be ruthless,’’ he said.
‘‘You have to keep doing the things you are doing well also, so that’s what this group has to learn also, when you’re up you have to keep going.’’
Hager has used the five-test series, wrapped up 3-1 with the latest victory, to blood a host of new players.
With an average age of 21 across the 22-strong squad, there was always going to be teething problems with combinations and yesterday’s performance proved that again.
While the Black Sticks made a positive start and gained an early lead, they failed to convert a host of good attacking chances into goals.
That meant the crowd being baked under a rare sunny summer’s day groaned more than they cheered because they, too, could see the opportunities but were disappointed the accuracy of the last pass was absent.
Hager dismissed the suggestion the problem was solely to do with a lack of combinations.
‘‘I think it’s a want more than anything.
‘‘There is a real want to score a goal and make it happen properly and it’s not at times.
‘‘The way we play a lot of the girls have taken up the attitude that they will get another chance or it doesn’t matter and it’s not as crucial. ‘‘That has to change.’’ The veteran coach did confirm ANDY JACKSON/FAIRFAX NZ he was getting what he wanted out of the series that would be perceived by a lot of people of lacking any real purpose.
‘‘It [series] is making decisions for us in regards to the squad for next year. ‘‘That’s been pleasing. ‘‘If we didn’t have this we would be making decisions without the knowledge so it’s really helped us with that.’’
Hager said the squad had talked about the ‘‘embarrassment’’ of the loss in the previous test and there was a determination to put in better performances over the last two tests, including today’s final one.