The disappointment of missing out on the Hyundai A-League Finals Series has only served to fuel motivation and focus for next season, a determined Melbourne Heart FC Head Coach John Aloisi says.
The disappointment of missing out on the Hyundai A-League Finals Series has only served to fuel motivation and focus for next season, a determined Melbourne Heart FC Head Coach John Aloisi says.
Heart will continue to train up until the April 24 to ensure players go through the correct conditioning, fitness and tactical processes before a six-week break and Aloisi is utilising this valuable training regime to ensure his charges are already building mentally for next season.
“We-re preparing now for next season,” Aloisi told melbourneheartfc.com.au.
“We will train four times a week and it-s not just to get them to tick over.
“We-re preparing already for next season so we want to make sure players come back for pre-season at a level that we want.
“They-ll receive their six weeks off away from the Club to freshen their minds and then they-ll be back and ready to go in June.
“The main focus for the players is that we-re preparing for next season because we don-t want to have the same scenario with us finishing ninth.”
Aloisi admitted his side was disappointed with the way it finished the season after commencing with the aim to reach the top six.
“Everyone-s disappointed with where we ended up; everyone is disappointed with not the season overall, but the last five games let our season down,” Aloisi said.
“Everyone is hungry to do well next season because we don-t want a repeat of this.
“Next season we want to be finishing as high as possible and we want to be competing in the finals and competing for the championship and that gives us enough focus and that-s my message to the players.
“The season that has gone is behind us, but we need to take the positives and the negatives out of it and make sure we focus from now on and make sure we get it right.”
Aloisi said the coaching staff were working on everything from player-s general fitness and conditioning, down to technique, attacking and defensive scenarios and structured play.
“I see what they are doing what I ask of them and I-m sure that they will be hungry,” Aloisi said.
“Everyone involved in the side and in the squad want to thank the fans and the members for supporting us this season.
“They saw us play some really good football and we got over the line a couple of times thanks to their support, which means a lot to us.
“I-m sure they will be having something to cheer about next year and that-s what we-re striving for – it-s not just about us as a team, it-s about us as a club and the fans are a big part of that Club..
“We want to thank them for their support and make sure we-ve got something to cheer about next year.”
