Continuity is often cited as a key determining factor in achieving success in football.
Continuity is often cited as a key determining factor in achieving success in football.
And according to former Socceroo defender Adrian Madaschi, it has played a critical role in Melbourne Heart FC-s rise up the Hyundai A-League table.
Arriving at the Club a fortnight into the season, Madaschi has made an immediate impact in Red and White, cementing his place in the starting eleven alongside Young Socceroo Brendan Hamill to provide Head Coach John van ‘t Schip with a stable central defensive combination.
“If you are getting that continuity in your game, and getting results and points, it creates a base for the whole team or squad to work on,” Madaschi said.
“Confidence breeds confidence and allows players who have been out through injuries and express themselves in the right way.”
While a seeming lack of confidence plagued Heart during the early stages of the campaign, a rally cry from van ‘t Schip urging his side to demonstrate greater spirit appeared to pay dividends, with the Red and White making a clear leap in intensity.
And with greater tenacity has come improved luck, something prognosticated by van ‘t Schip who
recalled his time with ‘lucky Ajax-, a side which appeared to benefit from the rub of the green more often than not.
Madaschi acknowledged the Club-s vast change in fortunes, crediting it to a fundamental shift in the mentality and understanding of the playing squad.
“Even prior to me coming to Melbourne Heart, I-d seen all the games they-d played and the football was always there. I think there was a bit of hard luck and a few things that weren-t working initially,” he said.
“I think over the last four or five weeks, results have gone our way, and I think the team has really been working hard on all aspects, whether it be defensive structure, to the passing and the movement. We-re starting to see the results.”
