First year Cairnlea coach Andy O’Dell has early indications his group is on the right path.
The state league 1 outfit pushed national premier league side Green Gully to the brink of defeat earlier this month, before a late goal prevented the upset.
This encouraging performance comes on the back of a number of changes throughout the off-season, beginning with O’Dell signing with the club in November. A host of new players have now joined him at Cairnlea Park.
Charlie Bailey signed with the Reds in January, joining the club from Portsmouth, England. Also from overseas is midfielder Shaun Weaver, who was playing for Ellesmere Port. He will be joined in the midfield by Andrew Yousif, who is from California.
Defensive midfielder Aguek Aguek has signed at the club from fellow state league 1 rival Preston Lions. Also joining Cairnlea are Adrian Boglis and Reha Kurul.
“I took over and there has been a pretty big change in personnel,” O’Dell said.
“With the organisation, the set-up and the team, I feel like everything is right on track.
“We had four first-team players not playing in the game against Green Gully, so we are reasonably happy at the moment.”
Cairnlea will need to hit the ground running this season after its drawn game against title favourite Altona Magic in round one.
The Magic finished third last season, just one point behind champion Western Suburbs, and have also recruited strongly during the break.
O’Dell said his group is looking forward to being able to test itself against another tough opposition.
“I’m quite happy to play them in the first game,” he said. “With the performance against Green Gully, I don’t think we have anything to fear. We’ve got three or four boys from overseas, who have been young professionals and have come over here to get a fresh start. These boys are good players.
“We have got some good local players as well, so I feel like we have got a good squad.”
During his coaching career, O’Dell has won 10 league titles through stints at Whittlesea Stallions, Richmond, Sunshine George Cross and the Fawkner Blues.
He believes the experience he has picked up will prove invaluable at Cairnlea.
“I’m really enjoying my time at Cairnlea; it is a good club,” he said. “I feel like I know this league inside out.
“I feel like I know what it takes to win this league.
“It isn’t always the best team that wins it, it is the hardest working.
“I’m not saying we will win, but we will be hard to beat,” O’Dell promised.
