Huge challenge for United at home
They’ve had an ordinary week at training, a star player is in doubt and on Sunday face a team packed with W-League players. For Manly United the round 10 NSW National Premier League fixture at Cromer Park shapes as season defining.
University sits 7th on the ladder with four wins, two draws, two losses. And according to United coach Tom Hopley will be a huge challenge for his team.
“Sydney Uni have been one of the top teams of the competition the last 3-4 years so we know they will be tough. They have pretty much a full squad of W-League players to call on and are in form.
“With that said, we feel that we have the team to beat anyone in the competition, we just need to put in a full 90-minute performance,” Hopley said.
United’s form has been hard to pin down. Last weekend they led 2-1 at half-time against Blacktown Spartans after their “best 45 minutes of the year”, according to Hopley, only to go down 4-2. The week before they blew Emerging Jets away 4-1.
Despite a “disjointed” week at training, Hopley said his players remain upbeat and enthused by the challenge of Sydney University.
“We’ve been working a lot on our defensive shape. And everyone is pumped for a big game this weekend.
“To be honest we’ve had a really disjointed week at training this week due to a couple of injuries. Ally Green is struggling with a niggle and may not be available. She’ll be a massive loss obviously and is a real leader for us.
“But we will just have to deal with it and it will give someone else an opportunity to step up,” Hopley said.