By Tara Murray
St Albans Saints are focused on being more competitive to give themselves the best chance of a successful National Premier League season.
It was an off season of change for the Saints, with 12 new players joining the squad.
Cameron Watson, who took over as coach midway through last season and helped them avoid relegation, continues on in the coaching role.
Watson said it had been a really good off season with everyone on the same page. The Saints started their season with a 3-3 draw to Dandenong City.
“The pre-season was a little long,” he said. “Everyone was really eager and excited about it.
“It was good to finally play a competitive match and start the season off.
“There’s been a lot of change and it was definitely needed. We’ve had everyone but one player throughout.
“We’ve got to know each other which has been good. There’s a good mood and good mixture of young and old players”
Watson said they felt they had a really good even spread across their new signings.
Several players including Fletcher McFarlane, Jacson Riley and Mickel Platt had come across from Hume City where Watson previously coached.
Max Buratto and James Xydias have also made the switch while Arben Gegaj and Alex Cepivirosk are among the players who have been promoted.
“It’s a really level headed group,” Watson said. “There’s no egos and we’re creating a good environment and they are getting along well which is the main thing.
“We think we have a competitive squad.”
Watson said it was exciting to see what the young guys coming through could do.
He said it was a learning curve for them as they step from junior soccer into senior soccer
“They’ve done quite well,” he said. “They will get opportunities when they deserve them and the time is right.
“Ollie [Dragicevic] started on the weekend and he’s one of the youngest on our list.”
Watson said they don’t look at last season and the previous seasons before and the club’s, with himself and many of the players not there then.
The Saints started the season with a 3-3 draw against Dandenong City on Sunday evening.
Watson said while they were a little disappointed to concede three goals, overall they were fairly happy with the performance.
“It was an entertaining game for the neutrals,” he said. “It was super tough conditions, really windy.
“To score three goals away from home is always a positive. It was a good job that we can build on.”
The Saints were back in action on Saturday night, losing to Altona Magic.
