Wolves coach Jacob Timpano believes the chance to play on their home turf for the first time this season can provide his squad with the motivation needed to topple red-hot Manly United at WIN Stadium this weekend.
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Wollongong spent the first two rounds of the campaign on the road in Sydney where they split results against Parramatta and Sydney Olympic.
They were far too good for the Eagles first-up, but couldn’t repeat the display the following week at Olympic in a disappointing 3-1 loss.
On Sunday, they will come home looking to rebound against United.
Timpano was keen for his side to recapture their form from round one in the match and felt home ground advantage could help make that happen.
“First week we got a great result away from home but we let ourselves down a little bit last week against Sydney Olympic. This week I am sure the boys [will benefit from] playing at home for the first time,” the coach said.
“Hopefully that can provide the motivation to get us over the line.”
Manly have started the season in devastating fashion.
The Northern Beaches club, who welcomed former A-League striker Dylan Macallister at the beginning of the campaign, are one of four teams with a perfect record after beating Bonnyrigg White Eagles and Sutherland Sharks heading into their encounter with the Wolves.
“They are one of the stronger teams in the competition so it is definitely going to be a tough game,” Timpano said.
For the second consecutive week, the Wolves have had a hampered preparation due to wet conditions throughout the Illawarra.
It has forced the club to travel up to Endeavour Sports High School in Sutherland for training.
“Training has been a bit difficult this week with the weather but we will be heading to Sydney [on Friday] to work on a synthetic pitch to get a session in,” Timpano said. “But look the boys are very excited to be playing at home so I think that is the key.
“We are looking forward to getting back to WIN Stadium and hopefully getting a good crowd down there.
“Playing at WIN Stadium is always important to us so hopefully we can get it off on the right note.”
Wolves skipper Chris Price and attacker Josh MacDonald are both expected to come back into the squad for the match after missing last week.
- ROUND 3
Wollongong Wolves vs Manly United
Sunday, 3pm
WIN Stadium
