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Roos defends Swans defence
5:00:48 PM Fri 14 May, 2004
Karen Collins
Sportal
Despite Sydney?s defensive problems in recent weeks - when Matthew Lloyd, David Neitz and Matthew Richardson all posted a bag of goals - coach Paul Roos does not believe the last line is the club?s main concern.
After fullback Andrew Duckley retired at the end of 2002, key defender Andrew Schauble successfully stepped into the role.
However, a hamstring injury has kept him out of action this season and any prospect of a return before June remains unlikely after tendonitis complications.
His replacement, Heath James - who has played just 14-matches in six years due to injury - has been forced to shoulder much of the burden.
Roos knows it?s far from the ideal scenario as James is ?not quite ready?, but the coach dismisses reports that the club needs to recruit a fullback.
?Schaubs would normally play on ?Richo? (Richardson). That means Jamesy would play on the second tall and Craig Bolton on the third,? Roos told Sportal.
?It?s an area without Schaubs we know is a concern. If at the end of the year we still think it?s a concern, then we will need to address it then.
?(But right now) we know we more so need a couple experienced midfielders and that big guy who can go forward or back, so it really hasn?t changed from last year.?
Meanwhile, Roos hopes playing Adam Goodes in the ruck - resting Stephen Doyle - will give the side extra run as they try to end their three-match losing streak against West Coast at Subiaco Oval on Saturday.
?We will look to get ?Goodesy? back in the ruck this week because certainly on the bigger ground it is going to help us in that area,? Roos said.
The inclusion of forward/midfielder Matthew Nicks - playing his 150th senior match - and full-forward Michael O?Loughlin will give the side much needed experience.
5:00:48 PM Fri 14 May, 2004
Karen Collins
Sportal
Despite Sydney?s defensive problems in recent weeks - when Matthew Lloyd, David Neitz and Matthew Richardson all posted a bag of goals - coach Paul Roos does not believe the last line is the club?s main concern.
After fullback Andrew Duckley retired at the end of 2002, key defender Andrew Schauble successfully stepped into the role.
However, a hamstring injury has kept him out of action this season and any prospect of a return before June remains unlikely after tendonitis complications.
His replacement, Heath James - who has played just 14-matches in six years due to injury - has been forced to shoulder much of the burden.
Roos knows it?s far from the ideal scenario as James is ?not quite ready?, but the coach dismisses reports that the club needs to recruit a fullback.
?Schaubs would normally play on ?Richo? (Richardson). That means Jamesy would play on the second tall and Craig Bolton on the third,? Roos told Sportal.
?It?s an area without Schaubs we know is a concern. If at the end of the year we still think it?s a concern, then we will need to address it then.
?(But right now) we know we more so need a couple experienced midfielders and that big guy who can go forward or back, so it really hasn?t changed from last year.?
Meanwhile, Roos hopes playing Adam Goodes in the ruck - resting Stephen Doyle - will give the side extra run as they try to end their three-match losing streak against West Coast at Subiaco Oval on Saturday.
?We will look to get ?Goodesy? back in the ruck this week because certainly on the bigger ground it is going to help us in that area,? Roos said.
The inclusion of forward/midfielder Matthew Nicks - playing his 150th senior match - and full-forward Michael O?Loughlin will give the side much needed experience.
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