Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Paul Smith

Redlands United coach Matt Chandler says his side doesn’t need a traditional 'number 9' to be a goal scoring threat in 2016.

The Red Devils have confirmed their squad for the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues campaign and named Chandler as coach to take over from player-coach Graham Fyfe, who remains on the roster.

Chandler previously served as Technical Director and says this season his team will be asking plenty of questions of their rivals in defence - a plethora of midfielders and wingers providing the attacking impetus rather than a more traditional target man.

“I think if you pin all your hopes on one ‘number 9’ scoring 20 goals a year and he gets injured then you have to go to ‘Plan B’ anyway,” Chandler explained of his side’s approach.

“Our idea is that we have a number of advanced attacking midfield players that can cause problems and are capable of scoring in double figures. That helps us achieve a high target of goals as we did last year.”

Redlands are coming off the back of their most successful PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues campaign yet in 2015, and Chandler said he will keep raising the bar as the competition’s oldest club rapidly approaches its centenary year.

“What I find is that a lot of clubs that are successful don’t do that the next year. We want to have a sustained success and are setting ourselves up to achieve that.”

“Every year you need to be looking to progress. Last year our target was top four and obviously we achieved top three and were pleased with that, but we are hoping to push ourselves to obtain a top two position this year.”

To that end, Redlands have retained the bulk of the squad that served them well – and delivered an impressive nine game winning streak – last year, including captain Igor Sao Jose, promising centre-half Kai Halliday, dynamic winger Nico Bechar and former Hyundai A-League utility Russell Woodruffe.

Also returning are PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland 2015 MVP and Golden Boot winner Fyfe, as well as Safe Hands Award winning goalkeeper Brendan White, both of whom Chandler described as “core components” of his side’s approach.

“Those awards were a consequence of the team environment. Of course they both did their jobs individually very well as part of what we do, but nobody is bigger than the team and a number of players helped them to achieve those awards.”

New recruits for the Red Devils include 2015 Premiership winning attacker Stephen Green from Moreton Bay United, midfielder Paul O’Bryan from Capalaba FC and defender Michael McGowan from Mitchelton FC.

Tried and tested performers Michael Lee and Greg Warden also return to the club after being part of the 2014 squad – Lee spending 2015 with Olympic, while Warden took a year away from the game.

Chandler said he believes the duo have rediscovered their niche in the squad after an initial settling in period.

“We haven’t stood still since they were last here and so Michael and Greg have had to readapt but they are now up to speed and where I want them to be.”

With the opening game of the season only days away, Chandler added that he is confident his side will not repeat of last year’s lacklustre start to the season, which saw the club without a win from their first seven games.

“The key to turning that around last year was everyone began to understand what we do with the ball and without the ball. Once that happened it was a simple game for us.”

“Pre-season for us has been about finding that again and I think we are further down the track then where we were at this time last year in what we need to achieve,” Chandler concluded.

Redlands United FC 2016 Squad – Redlands United FC

Brendan WHITE, Michael MCGOWAN, Grant BRIX, Kai HALLIDAY, Paul O’BRYAN, Greg WARDEN, Michael LEE, Russell WOODRUFFE, Stephen GREEN, Nico BECHAR, Graham FYFE, Adam CHANDLER, Scott DYKMAN, Nick DANICIC, Doyle BISSETT, Igor SAO JOSE, Sam LANGLEY, Lochie MOORE, Zac GRAVESON, Matt LUGO