USQ plan to build around additions
FOOTBALL: USQ will take a “whole of club” focus into the 2020 TFL season.
The club has welcomed a number of new players into the fold and plans to build around that talent.
“We’ve had a number of players move on,” USQ FC technical director Niall McCarthy said.
“A few joined the (South
West Queensland) Thunder and others have gone to Brisbane. But we have welcomed a number of new players at the same time.
“Overall, across all the men’s teams, I think we’ll actually be a little bit stronger than last year.
“Style-wise we are looking to move away from the traditional 4-4-2 formation and implement something that best uses the talents of the players who have joined the club.
“We also want all of our teams to play a certain way to encourage competition for positions and develop our strength in all the teams.”
Despite the significant planned changes, some traditional football fundamentals will be the key focus of the club.
“We want to make sure we are fit, that’s very important,” McCarthy said.
“If we’re fit, we can run out games and potentially win a few more late on in the game.
“We’ve mixed things up a little fitness wise.
“We’ve had a few boxing sessions down at Emerge.
“I don’t think we will have a walk-up starting team, particularly in the Premier Men, like we did last season.
“The boxing has been good, it’s helped us work on some fitness as well as bringing everyone together.
“Keeping clean sheets is an obvious focus as well.
“There’s no point in overcomplicating things.
“If can keep a clean sheet and outscore our opponents, we’ll win games.”
The club will also play host to a number of Capital 1 teams from Brisbane in the coming weeks.
“We’re keen to test ourselves against some top teams, so it’s good the Brisbane teams are willing to travel up,” McCarthy said.