Frankie to enter fray

April 12 2014

Shepparton News

Goulburn Valley Suns adviser Melvyn Wilkes hopes the inclusion of Frankie Lagana can help inspire the club to its maiden National Premier Leagues win at McEwen Reserve tonight.

Lagana is set to make his eagerly-anticipated Suns debut against Port Melbourne Sharks and his presence in the starting XI is a major boost for a squad desperate to end its winless start to the season.

‘‘I was contemplating (including him) last week, but he had a tight calf, so we said for the sake of one more week, let’s see how we go,’’ Wilkes said.

‘‘He’s got three sessions under his belt this week and he text me (yesterday) morning to tell me he’s pulled up okay, so I think it’s time to bring him into the fray.’’

Lagana is expected to slot into midfield, with Daniel Chaabani also in line for his first start, after twice appearing as a substitute.

Wilkes said Zac Paraskevas had earned a recall and fellow full-back Cody Sellwood (illness) would return, but central defender Josh Glover would miss out with a posture problem.

After narrow defeats to Oakleigh Cannons and Ballarat Red Devils in the opening two rounds, the Suns were pulled apart 6-2 by Heidelberg United last week, in what Wilkes described as a ‘‘horror show’’.

Wilkes admitted too much focus had been placed on the opposition ahead of a fourth home game in a row and said he wanted the Suns to worry more about their own game.

‘‘When you’re doing your homework on the opposition you want to equip your players as best as possible, but it could probably work against you in terms of players actually fearing the players they’re coming up against,’’ he said.

‘‘We spoke about it a couple of times, without going overboard, and I made it quite clear this week we would spend less time thinking about the opposition and more time on what we’ve got to do.’’

The Sharks have been involved in 2-2 draws against the Cannons and Dandenong Thunder and a 3-2 defeat to unbeaten ladder leader South Melbourne so far.

Kevin Braniff already has three goals to his name and will be a player to watch.

The Sharks have pace on the flanks and tidy feet in midfield, but if the Suns can boss that part of the ground and cut supply to the visiting strikers, it will give the likes of Stipo Andrijasevic, Kristian Sarkies and Craig Carley more opportunity to go to work in the final third.

Preparation has been limited this week due to inclement weather, but Wilkes thanked Shepparton United and Tatura for providing new training bases as the club does its bit to preserve McEwen Reserve.

With a tough run of away matches coming up, Wilkes called for the community to stand behind its team, starting tonight.

‘‘Now is the time we do need the support,’’ Wilkes said.

‘‘I’m not interested in people just coming along when we’re winning 4-0 or 5-0 every week, we need them to come along now and help us turn it around.’’