Post by Perm on Sept 26, 2006 21:29:23 GMT 10
Reddy dropped for Victory clash - AAP
If it ain't broke, don't fix it - unless you are Queensland Roar coach Miron Bleiberg.
The Roar may be one of only two undefeated A-League teams with the best defensive record in the competition - conceding just two goals from five games.
But Bleiberg has made the extraordinary call that is to replace goalkeeper Liam Reddy for the biggest game of the season - a top of the table clash against ladder leader Melbourne at a packed Telstra Dome on Sunday.
Bleiberg said he promised reserve keeper Tom Willis would play against Melbourne before the season kicked off.
He wasn't to know at the time that the Melbourne clash would be the much anticipated clash between the No.1 and No.2 teams in front of what is expected to be more than 30,000 fans.
"The goalkeepers knew before the season kick-off that this would be the game," Bleiberg said.
"I said Tom would get his chance ... and that Melbourne would be the game. But I said that without realising that it would be such an important game, first against second at Telstra Dome and in front of more than 30,000."
Bleiberg said Willis, who held the No.1 keeper tag before Reddy arrived from Newcastle this year, would play against Melbourne "for professional reasons".
"Without elaborating too much, there was a reason Tom is more suitable to play Melbourne than Liam," he said.
"If it is a bad decision I will face up on Monday and say it didn't work - if it is good you can give me more credit than you have so far."
Bleiberg said he had been buoyed by last weekend's 0-0 draw with Adelaide despite having 13 shots on goal and finishing the clash with four strikers on the field.
Critics thought it indicated Queensland had inherited last season's goal scoring yips. But Bleiberg was so confident that he believed Queensland would be the top side in a fortnight, even drawing comparisons with English champion Chelsea.
"Give us two weeks and we will be first," he said.
"We are still unbeaten, quality prevails. The fact we are not conceding goals is a good sign.
"Chelsea for the last few years have been known for their very strong defence and not conceding goals - it is the foundation of a very strong team."
If it ain't broke, don't fix it - unless you are Queensland Roar coach Miron Bleiberg.
The Roar may be one of only two undefeated A-League teams with the best defensive record in the competition - conceding just two goals from five games.
But Bleiberg has made the extraordinary call that is to replace goalkeeper Liam Reddy for the biggest game of the season - a top of the table clash against ladder leader Melbourne at a packed Telstra Dome on Sunday.
Bleiberg said he promised reserve keeper Tom Willis would play against Melbourne before the season kicked off.
He wasn't to know at the time that the Melbourne clash would be the much anticipated clash between the No.1 and No.2 teams in front of what is expected to be more than 30,000 fans.
"The goalkeepers knew before the season kick-off that this would be the game," Bleiberg said.
"I said Tom would get his chance ... and that Melbourne would be the game. But I said that without realising that it would be such an important game, first against second at Telstra Dome and in front of more than 30,000."
Bleiberg said Willis, who held the No.1 keeper tag before Reddy arrived from Newcastle this year, would play against Melbourne "for professional reasons".
"Without elaborating too much, there was a reason Tom is more suitable to play Melbourne than Liam," he said.
"If it is a bad decision I will face up on Monday and say it didn't work - if it is good you can give me more credit than you have so far."
Bleiberg said he had been buoyed by last weekend's 0-0 draw with Adelaide despite having 13 shots on goal and finishing the clash with four strikers on the field.
Critics thought it indicated Queensland had inherited last season's goal scoring yips. But Bleiberg was so confident that he believed Queensland would be the top side in a fortnight, even drawing comparisons with English champion Chelsea.
"Give us two weeks and we will be first," he said.
"We are still unbeaten, quality prevails. The fact we are not conceding goals is a good sign.
"Chelsea for the last few years have been known for their very strong defence and not conceding goals - it is the foundation of a very strong team."
