Dandenong City coach Ivan Duzel believes his side is better value than their current inconsistent start to the NPL 1 season suggests, stating they have the personnel to challenge for future silverware.
Following their 5-2 defeat of Springvale White Eagles, Dandenong’s record stands at two wins and two losses to start the campaign, placing them mid-table.
Despite the match between Springvale being a traditional derby, Duzel dismissed the focus was on the rivalry, insisting his players were focused solely on playing football.
“I told the boys before the game, look were not going to a war, we’re going to win the game,” he said.
“For me, it doesn’t matter which club were playing, it matters to me the character and attitude of showing they wanted win the game is very important to me.”
He explained the patchy start to the season was due to the squad experiencing a lack of time together due to key player absences and the early implementation of the NPL season, but wasn’t overly concerned with the patchy form just yet.
“Individual players that are coming from the Premier League, they didn’t settle properly, and the early season start, about three weeks before the normal schedule of the season,” Duzel said.
“I believe those three weeks are very important to settle a team down, and I believe that’s the case.
“Today I believe we showed we are a very good team without two excellent players waiting to get in, Steven Topalovic and Alex Rojas.”
The Dandenong coach is confident in his players to take the club forward, which now just needs the right chemistry to click. In particular, he reserved praise for Melbourne Victory Youth player Damian Miskulin, and Visa player Sean Seavill.
“Damian Miskulin is a kid, 18 years old, from Melbourne Victory, who was playing regularly all the time. He’s got a great future, the kid, no problem,” he said.
“Number 10, Sean (Seavill), is a fantastic, fantastic creative player. His ability to play, his creativity is excellent. That kid was playing at Bristol City at 19 years of age.
“Once I settle all this individual [selections] and get players in, the team is going to get better.”
Looking ahead to the club’s long term goals, the determined City mentor said the club had their sights firmly set on youth development coupled with team success.
“[The club] talked about it and said we should concentrate ourselves on young players, 18, 19 [years old], developing players,” Duzel said.
“But this year’s going to be a little bit mixed (youth and experience).
“Long term [goals] of this this club, they want to go to Premier League, they want to be a successful club. And I believe this is a club that can be one of the strongest in the league.”
Dandenong City will enjoy their Easter break following their win, before getting back into the season next week away to Bulleen.