Western United set to build from season start

WESTERN United coach Mark Rudan concedes it has not been an ideal pre-season for his group, but there will be no excuses come its season opener on 28 December.

COVID-19 restrictions have interrupted United’s preparations as they build towards their A-League round one encounter against Adelaide United at GMHBA Stadium.

Rudan added, while wishing to not go into specifics, that some of his senior core were dealing with minor injury concerns and felt his best squad would not be available for the opening rounds. Nonetheless, this opened the door for Western United’s younger brigade.

“It has been a unique preseason, we haven’t had the ability to get the games required to be match fit,” Rudan said.

“It hasn’t been ideal, but we’ve always said we’re not going to make excuses… it gives an opportunity to some young guys.

“We have a few with niggles… we’re not going to take any risks on them. I’d expect a bit more of a youthful line-up for round one.

“We have to take the bull by the horns and be as best prepared as we can for round one.”

In what was an extremely promising debut season for Western United last year, one win off making the A-League grand final, Rudan said his group was looking to build on those foundations.

Rudan was not placing any ceilings on United’s 2020-21 season, seeking continued improvement to deliver another quality season as the club looks to establish itself in the competition.

“We want to start where we left off, the boys are in great spirits,” he said.

“We strive to improve, every day… at the end of the season you want to have more points than you did at the end of last season and players to have improved, but it’s a step-by-step process.”

Western United boasted the third best attack last season and Rudan said United fans could expect to see the same intent in their play throughout 2020-21.

“There’s been a huge focus on our system,” he said. “We certainly want to go out there and entertain, there’s certainly a few things to fix up at the back but we want to play a quick transition style of game.”