Coaches Ben Brookfield and Lino Sciulli are looking forward to redemption, but still Launceston City and Northern Rangers both can’t help but look back over their shoulders to last week.
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In what proved a horror weekend for the North’s two NPL Tasmania sides, City slipped 3-1 to defending premiers Devonport City, as Rangers collapsed under pressure 5-0 to South Hobart.
Both clubs had started the season in promising form amid honourable draws.
Brookfield has almost been scathing in the search to lift the City squad up to his promised high standards.
First year in the job, the ambitious Englishman has sounded a warning against inconsistent performances.
“I feel last week was a very uncharacteristic performance and very flat, a total opposite to the week before,” Brookfield said.
“Just shows the league can be very unforgiving.
“We need a total different mindset, plenty of energy and to get back to basics.”
But Brookfield is confident City can earn its opening win of the new campaign.
The travel away to Clarence United won’t hold any fears against a side that is yet to collect a point or even score once from its two fixtures.
“We have a good squad and they look much improved, as does the whole standard of the league each season,” Brookfield said.
“We are confident, but won’t be underestimating any team, that’s for sure.”
Rangers for the first half did everything right against South Hobart and until the final 15 minutes taking a point home was not against the realms of possibilities.
But three late goals put paid to that in what turned into a five-goal drubbing.
Sciulli remains upbeat that he can turn things around.
“There were a lot of positives to come out of last week. We moved the ball well and created a lot of chances, which shows we can match it with the best sides,” he said.
“It’s now up to me and the coaching staff to get the fitness side of things sorted.”
Rangers also travel south on Sunday, force to face an rejuvenated Olympia Warriors outfit that bounced back from a hefty first-round loss to put on five goals for the sought after victory.
Sciulli has in turn called on his players to play for results rather than respectability out on the pitch.
“I think the boys would have earned a little respect back, there is some improvement there but we need to keep working hard to achieve that,” he said.