Melbourne Heart interim coach John van ‘t Schip wants his side to improve on their last outing against the Central Coast Mariners, but has warned the team still needs time to adjust to his new style of play.
Whilst van ‘t Schip was pleased with the level of performance against the Mariners, he’d like to see his team take their game up another notch against Perth Glory.
“I’m happy with the performance that we had,” van ‘t Schip said.
“I think the boys played the way that I asked them to, especially in the first half.
“The second half was a little bit more difficult but we were still playing some good football so we have to continue doing those things and trying to build up from the back if possible.”
With the enjoyment seemingly back in Heart’s play, the focus is now on learning the van ‘t Schip system.
The Dutchman admitted that the the process might take some valuable time, but also acknowledged the need to grind results at the same time.
“I want to improve a lot,” he said.
“I want to implement another way of playing and that’s going to cost time but I still think we can achieve that and the most important thing for me is to get the team playing that the fans can be proud of the way that they’re playing.
“I know as well as anyone else that goes together with results but as I said before is now my focus is to get the team playing a certain way.
“If we do that well and we start playing the game that I think we can do then results eventually have to come.
“It could be against Perth, but if not I’m sure it’s going to happen in the near future.”
Meanwhile, Dylan Macallister looks set to return to senior football action following a couple of successful outings in the National Youth League.
Macallister has yet to play any A-League football this season due to injury but has been added to the squad to face Perth on Friday night.
“He’s been going well, a week ago he played 90 minutes for the youth team, a week before that he played 60 minutes so he’s here to play a role in the first team that’s why he’s with the squad,” van ‘t Schip said.
“Dylan is ready to help us if we need him and hopefully in the coming weeks he will continue to get stronger and better like a few other players that have been away for a long time, like Harry, like Orlando [Engelaar], Jonathan Germano, all those players have to lift the team in a way that we as a team become stronger.”
Melbourne Heart take the long trip west to face Perth Glory at nib Stadium. Kick-off is scheduled for 9:45 EST.