FOOTBALL
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South Coast Wolves put months of hard work on the training paddock to the ultimate test tomorrow when they face defending National Premier League champions Sydney United.
In their opening pre-season cup match, the Wolves head to Edensor Park to officially begin their campaign with the hope of putting the horrors of 2013 behind them.
Their first-up assignment will prove a massive indication of any match day improvement, as they meet the best Premier League team in the country.
"I'd say [Sydney United coach] Mark Rudan will have them pretty well organised," Wolves coach Richard Lloyd said.
"They have always got depth, there is always a lot of players that he can call on them, so we will be up against a very very good team on the weekend.
"When we step over that line we are going to take it to them and see where our strengths and weaknesses are and build on that."
Defence was the key weakness to the Wolves lacklustre season in 2013, with the club conceding 53 goals in 22 games.
Jacob Timpano, Michael Robinson, Jack Keating and Chris Nathaniel are the likely back four to start 2014 and will be determined to ensure it isn't the case this time around.
"I want some nice defensive shape, I want guys to go out there and be nice and aggressive at the ball," Lloyd said.
"I don't want us to be an easy target and allowing soft goals to go in.
"A lot of goals last year came from really simple areas, which led to us doing that programs before Christmas just to strength up and not get pushed off the ball easily.
"Also, for guys to switch on and not have those silly mishaps giving easy goals."
The Wolves made no such mistakes in hit-out with Canberra Premier League side Tuggeranong United last weekend, dishing out a 5-0 drubbing.
"On the weekend we worked pretty hard on defensive patterns, considering we conceded so many goals last year," Lloyd said.
"We will really be looking to keep that nice and tight on the weekend."