Doggies Determined To Ditch The Drama
Capalaba FC midfielder Ryan Cokell is adamant his side have the tools to win without the late drama ahead of their next National Premier Leagues test.
The Bulldogs travel to fellow mid-tablers Gold Coast United on Sunday fresh off a thrilling 3-2 over Moreton Bay United in their last start.
David Booth’s side fought back from a two goals down at half-time and overcame a second-half send-off against the Jets for their first win since the COVID restart – replicating their fightback over Sunshine Coast Wanderers from earlier in the campaign.
And while those results have left no doubt of the Bulldogs’ fighting spirit, 26-year-old Cokell says the team must start putting results to bed much earlier in the piece.
“We’ve had a couple of these last-minute comebacks this year now, so it would be nice to give Dave a bit of a break from the heart attacks on the sideline,” Cokell explained.
“Last week was a huge result for us but it might be good to just get up and retain the lead rather than coming from behind, scoring late and dealing with the red cards.
“We know we can do that. We are really confident and ambitious in what we can do as a team and our tails are going to be up against Gold Coast.”
The Bulldogs have made a solid start to their maiden NPL season, posting three wins from their opening six fixtures to sit seventh on the league table – one point ahead of their upcoming opponents.
And with the goals now starting to find the back of the net, Cokell says the team’s emphasis will turn to the defensive side of the equation as they plot a surge up the standings.
The Bulldogs have conceded two or more goals in all but one fixture this season and currently hold an unwanted six goal deficit in their for-and-against.
“The back four have been excellent, but we also know we need to defend as a full eleven because in the NPL there are no easy games and everyone needs to do their job to get results.
“We know we have the goals in us but we need to make sure we aren’t conceding cheap goals, especially early in the game, if we are to keep building on what we have done so far.”
This weekend’s clash will mark the first ever competitive meeting between the Bulldogs and United – a recurring theme this year as the club looks to make its mark on the top tier of Queensland state football.
Cokell was a key part of the squad that achieved promotion last season and said the club’s maiden NPL campaign is providing a new challenge each time they take the pitch.
“We really are enjoying it every single week. It was a huge effort last year to get to this position and now we are taking it one game at a time to make sure we stay here.
“For a lot of the boys who haven’t played in the NPL before, they are relishing the opportunity of playing against guys that have played in the A-League or overseas as professionals.”
To that end, United boast former Socceroos defender Michael Thwaite and All Whites attacker Shane Smeltz in their ranks this season – both players are A-League title winners during their careers.
However, the star duo have not been able to kick-start United’s middling form so far this campaign - with the Surfsiders posting just single win at their home ground this season from four attempts.