Altona City is primed to attack the back part of the Victorian Premier League 2 season.
The side sits out of the top six and finals spots by just goal difference with five rounds remaining in what has turned out to be a close competition this season.
Coach Nick Georgopolous said the group had turned around their season and had found some really good form.
They’ve won five of their last six matches with the only loss coming to ladder leaders North Geelong.
“It has been good,” he said. “There is still plenty to play for and it’s a competitive league.
“Three teams get promoted and three teams get relegated, so every game there is something on the line.
“We’re in the sweet spot.”
Altona City had the weekend off due to a catch up round.
Georgopolous said they were still looking to train to try and keep the group really connected as they aim for a finals spot.
He said they would have been happy to keep playing.
The top two teams get automatically promoted, while the next four fight out for one promotion spot, with the team getting promoted needing to win two matches.
Georgopolous said there was a key reason for the side’s turnaround in form this season.
“Once we got everyone back on the park and changed our foundation a little bit, things have turned around,” Georgopolous said.
“We’d had a few injuries and a couple of suspensions. Our captain has returned and we’ve played with a little more freedom.
“We’ve also got a couple of new players during the window that have boosted the squad. Everyone is competing for spots.”
Georgopolous said it had become hard to pick their match day squad with everyone having returned and some players playing really well.
He said last week was the first time they’d had all 22 players on the training track at the same time which is a good sign for the rest of the season.
“It’s pushing them and giving them an extra leap in their step. We need to do what we need to and we should be OK.
“We are focusing on taking it one game at a time.”
Altona City faces Springvale White Eagles on Friday night in its return to play.
In the NPL, Altona Magic will face South Melbourne on Saturday night.
The Magic sits in 11th spot, six points above the relegation zone.
Meanwhile on Sunday, Altona City had a 3-2 win against Ballarat City in the FV state league 1 north-west women’s competition.
Altona City sits third on the ladder, just four points off top and two points off second.
