United in bid to improve
MELBOURNE United veteran David Barlow is confident his side will quickly iron out the areas in its game not yet up to scratch before the start of the NBL season next week.
A few minor inconsistencies appeared for United in Wednesday night’s 92-90 finalsecond loss to Perth Wildcats at The Arena, but Barlow was not concerned.
“There were some disappointing things, disappointing errors, from our end that we can fix,” he said.
“But it’s a good time to be working through problem areas and fixing mistakes, and stuff like that.
“There were a lot of little things, a lot of details (that weren’t quite right). For a small example, boxing out.
“We were very poor in that area and that’s one that’s easily fixable.
“It’s something that the guys need to focus on . . . that one will be rectified.”
Melbourne United suited up its strongest squad of the pre-season in Wednesday’s game, regaining a number of players who were at the recent World Cup.
Only Mitch McCarron (illness) was missing from the team that lost to the Wildcats.
Barlow said getting court time and cohesion into the squad was crucial ahead of Thursday’s season-opener against South East Melbourne Phoenix at Melbourne Arena.
“It’s always good to get a hitout,” Barlow said. “It’s been a tricky off-season, that’s for sure.
“It’s probably unheard of to have so much of the team away and have so little preparation time.
“But we have great coaching staff and players that can learn on the fly.
“At this stage I think we have a fair bit of work to do but I think we are up for the task.”
Barlow said he enjoyed the match in Geelong, praising the local crowd for the atmosphere they generated.
“It was brilliant. It was a great court, really like the court,” he said.
“It was a great crowd with a nice little atmosphere.”
Melbourne United will continue its pre-season preparations by taking on Adelaide tonight.
“The whole goal for us right now is preparing for game one of the season and we will continue to do that,” Barlow said.
“We always want to win whenever we compete.”