ALTONA City has undergone major changes to its playing style in the three weeks since Sam Borg was promoted to senior coach of the struggling Football Federation Victoria men’s state league 3 club.
City has a new possession-based game that promotes an attacking brand of football.
Borg has already noticed a positive shift in attitude from his players and the results have followed with a win in his first game as coach.
City was unlucky not to double up against promotion chasers Cairnlea on Saturday, losing 2-1 on the back of a penalty and a counter-attack goal.
“We’re playing more possession football, which the players are enjoying,” Borg told the Weekly.
“We’re dominating games now with possession and creating a lot of chances.
“We’re still trying to work on it, but there’s some pretty good signs so far of a turnaround.”
City has been bolder in its approach, with the left and right backs implored to join the attack.
“That’s the difference with my approach to the game,” Borg said.
“Before, the full backs were really just defenders and not involved going forward, where I’ve implored them to drift up the park – my form of defence is attack.
“Let’s have possession and maintain the intensity going forward rather than just sitting back and allowing pressure.”
The central midfield duo of Matthew McKay and Matthew Italiano are the playmakers that ensure this game style comes together.
Spot-on distribution is the key because if they miss targets in the midfield, they will not have as much cover as they had in team structure under former coach Adrian Denys.
“We’ve freed them up to be good ball players,” Borg said.
“They have been pivotal.”
City got the go-ahead goal against Cairnlea inside 15 minutes.
Martin Mintoff weaved around defenders in the box and launched the ball into the top corner.
Unfortunately for Mintoff, it would be his last piece of action, hobbling to the bench with a hamstring injury.
City had the lion’s share of possession, but hit the post twice and had a strong penalty shout waved away.
The difference between the sides would be Cairnlea star Mustafa Mustafa, who is on the radar of higher-level clubs.
Mustafa scored on the counter attack with 20 minutes to go, giving City goalkeeper Pece Talevski no chance to save.
City will face North Sunshine Eagles, a team some are predicting could win the premiership this season, at Kim Reserve on Saturday.
It will be the biggest test of Borg’s playing style so far.
