Melbourne Heart FC defender Jason Hoffman has relished his new role in the Red and White’s defence this season after making the successful transition from a midfielder to a robust right-back.
Melbourne Heart FC defender Jason Hoffman has relished his new role in the Red and White’s defence this season after making the successful transition from a midfielder to a robust right-back.
One of the Red and White-s inaugural players, Hoffman said he has enjoyed the switch to a defensive role, but has reiterated his most important focus is team success; something Melbourne have enjoyed recently, winning three of their last four games.
“It-s been a good year to get as many minutes as I can under the belt and I have thoroughly enjoyed playing in the right back role,” Hoffman said.
“I see it as more of a natural position now which is great and I-ve enjoyed the season I have had there at right back.
“But results are the most important thing and how the team is on the park and we want to be successful.
“So I guess the individual [form] is OK, but I want to be a part of a successful team and that-s the most important thing and our form has been pretty good of late so there are positives there.”
Hoffman was especially happy with 2-1 win over Perth Glory in Albury on Sunday.
“It was a great experience to go to Albury and it was a great pitch,” Hoffman said.
“I guess the temperature wasn-t great and it wasn-t the easiest of conditions to play in, but the attitude from the entire squad was great.
“A lot of Melbourne Heart fans will know that it still hurts from that finals series that we made in the second year of the Club.
“To go to Perth and get trounced over there, they have always been that team that we have tried to get one back on, so to also win outside Victoria was a great result and to win against Perth made it more enjoyable for not only the players but the fans as well.
Hoffman is now turning his attention to Wellington Phoenix on the weekend, a side which has also posed issues for Melbourne Heart away from home.
“The group is on a high after what was a good result in tough conditions in Albury, but we look to Wellington this week with another good week on the training park, and I-m sure we will be ready to go and get a good result,” he said.
“Wellington are in good form as well so I-m sure it will be a good challenge across the ditch and hopefully we will get the points.”
