Josh Risdon and Travis Dodd get ready for Friday night Football in Melbourne.
They have developed a hugely-impressive combination down the right-hand side of the field for Perth Glory this season and Josh Risdon and Travis Dodd are also very much on the same wavelength when it comes to the subject of confidence in the camp.
While acknowledging they have been left disappointed by a return of two points from the last three games, the dynamic duo insist that Ian Ferguson’s men are backing themselves to get back to winning ways at the expense of Melbourne Victory on Friday night.
“We haven’t got the results we’ve wanted, but the boys are still confident,” said Risdon.
“We’ve had two draws and a loss in our last three games, so it’s important for us to go away this weekend and get three points.
” Obviously a few boys will be unavailable. Jacob (Burns) is suspended and Scott (Jamieson) and Michael (Thwaite) are likely to be away with the Socceroos, but we’ve got depth in the squad with players who can come in and do just as good a job.”
And the message from Dodd was similarly upbeat.
“I don’t think confidence is an issue to be honest,” he claimed.
“We are playing some decent football.
“At times last weekend it was a bit patchy, there were times when we kept the ball and played some really good football and there were times when made some poor decisions and silly mistakes and we turned over too much possession.
“But I think overall, over the last few weeks, we’ve been playing some decent football and it’s nothing to be greatly concerned about.
“It’s a matter of being able to keep the ball a bit better and finish off those chances in front of goal.”
Risdon also focused upon the subject of ball retention, revealing that coach Ferguson has demanded a significant improvement in that area on Friday night.
“I think we’re just turning the ball over too many times,” he said.
“It’s just decision-making.
“I think we’re trying to force things that aren’t there and we’ve just got to keep the ball better.
“When we keep the ball, we determine the game.”
Controlling the game won’t be easy against a Melbourne Victory side who have hit form with three wins and a draw from their last four outings, but Dodd is adamant that Glory are more than capable of chalking up a first road victory of the season.
“They are going to be weakened as well which is a bonus for us,” he said.
“They lose a pretty potent player in Archie (Thompson) and another big player in Mark Milligan who marshals things well at the back with Adrian Leijer, so they are two big losses for them and an opportunity for us to capitalise on those.
“I think we all knew it was just going to be a matter of time for them to come right with Ange Postecoglou at the helm.
“You can see what he’s trying to do with the squad and the progress that he’s making each week.
“But in saying that, we can go over there confident in our own game-plan and back ourselves to win the game.”
And having come agonisingly close to claiming his first ever Hyundai A-League goal when he struck the post against Wellington last weekend, Risdon would dearly love to break his duck at AAMI Park.
“To be honest, it was a good chance and I thought it was in when I hit it.
“But I’m still looking for that first goal and hopefully it’ll come before the end of the season.”
