New Brisbane Roar coach rules out hard-line approach
MIKE Mulvey believes he does not have to make his presence felt with heavy training sessions when he starts as the new Brisbane Roar coach today, despite the team's lowly ladder position.
Former coach Rado Vidosic, moved aside to work as technical director, was made a scapegoat for the defending champion team's slow start to the season, with Brisbane winning just three of its first 11 matches.
Unlike Frank Farina shaking up the last-placed Sydney FC with double training sessions and limited time off during the week, Mulvey will back the systems already in place.
"The last thing I need to be concerned about at this club is how many training sessions and where they're at," he said.
"We've got the best conditioning coach in the country in Ken Stead.
"I've got every confidence in the work he's done.
"I know these guys are fit and ready to go. We don't have to make many changes there."
Mulvey, who won titles with Gold Coast United's youth team and the Melbourne Victory's women's outfit, said his players were not disillusioned despite their poor 2012/13 results.
"No, I think it's very evident that there's a group of winners here because they've won the title for the past two years.
"We don't like where we are on the table and that's something we'll be trying to change," he said.
Mulvey, only contracted to the end of this season, said he wasn't feeling pressure to win in order to extend his contract and lift his side from second-last on the table.
The Roar will take on Perth tomorrow night at Suncorp Stadium in a grand final replay in what shapes as a must-win game for both clubs.
