The Melbourne Knights have turned their National Premier League season around to be back in finals contention.
After a tough start to the season which resulted in a coaching change, the Knights were sitting in eighth spot after 22 rounds, just two points outside the top six.
Captain-coach Ivan Franjic said it was pleasing to have got their season back on track.
“We’ve definitely back in the finals mix,” he said. “I’m never fully happy, but I’m happier.
“It’s been some hard work and it’s slowly working and paying off.”
Franjic paid tribute to his team for the hard work they’ve done to turn the season around and get back in the mix for finals for a second straight year.
He said sometimes things like this happen quickly, other times it will take a bit more time.
“The boys have been putting in the hard work and the results are coming.”
To help try and secure that finals spot, the Knights added some players in the transfer window before it closed.
Hatim Far comes across from France having previously played in the country’s second division. More recently he had played in division 3 and 4.
Geoffry Lino comes from Bentleigh Greens with Franjic saying he fills a need as a striker-winger where they lacked a bit of depth.
Anton Primorac is the third addition joining the club from Melbourne Victory.
Franjic said he was still really young and will have to be patient but he fits their system.
Tommy Semmy and Felipe Sanchez have departed the club.
The Knights faced fifth placed Heidelberg United on Friday night, after deadline.
Heidelberg won 2-0.
Franjic said they weren’t planning on changing what they had been doing.
“We take it week by week,” he said. “We focus on the week ahead and take on who we are playing.
“We focus on ourselves and we want to win every game. It we win every game we will be in the top six.
“Heidelberg are a really good team. We are up for the challenge and looking forward to getting a positive result.”
