Clayton Zane discusses the Jets W-League preparation for this weekend’s big game against ladder leaders Canberra United.
It-s been a quiet but productive couple of weeks for the girls. Training has remained as normal regardless of our bye week, but we have a tough schedule ahead of us so we have been upping the intensity of our training sessions in preparation.
Although time off the pitch at this stage of the game wasn-t desirable, we-ve had the time to strengthen some of our injured players. Emily Van Egmond and Gemma Pearce will return this week after recently being sidelined with injury.
Emily is such a key player and we really could have used her in our last match against Melbourne Victory. She has the ability to turn the game around and make a conversion when it-s needed most.
Personally, I would-ve preferred not to have had this last week off as it allows our competitors to get a head start on us. They now have the ability to take advantage of our time off the field. But that won-t stop us eliminating any sign of weakness when we return to the field.
In the lead up to this weekend-s match against Canberra United, and next week-s catch up game against Perth Glory, our training sessions will become slightly milder. Quality recovery will be paramount in the coming weeks as we have so many tough games back to back.
I anticipate the game against Canberra United to be a hard match. They sit comfortably on top of the ladder board, but we have a lot to prove. We will enter the game hungry and ready for an upset.
We have the home crowd advantage and we-ve proven to be great converters having scored a goal every game so far this season.
Canberra United is a quick and skilful team. In our last game we lacked the same pace and intensity that they delivered, so this time round we-ll be keeping up with them, ready to hassle every ball.
Our main goal of course is to walk away with a win; however, we need to put in a solid performance all round, especially in the opening 45 minutes. Canberra have proven in past matches that they can destroy a team and their game plan – we wont let that happen to us.
The girls still have their sights set on making the finals, so we are relying on our results from here on in. With Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth in our path I can-t predict were our points will come from but we-ll be walking away with a victory where ever we can.
Clayton
A reminder Jets Members get free entry to the W-League games at Adamstown Oval. Be there this Sunday for their 3pm kick-off against Canberra United.
