Melbourne Knights defender Milan Batur is expecting an even contest when the club takes on newly promoted outfit Werribee City on Sunday afternoon, but is confident the team can come away with all three points.
Speaking to melbourneknights.com.au after Thursday night’s training session, Batur said Werribee’s performances against Oakleigh and Hume mean they can’t take Nino Ragusa’s men lightly.
“I think it’ll be a tough match,” Batur said.
“They’ve come off with two wins – one cup game [against Oakleigh Cannons] and one of their league matches [against Hume City], so they’ve beaten good opposition.
“You can’t take any team lightly this year, so we’ll see what happens on Sunday. Hopefully another three points and that’s our goal!”
The Knights head into the contest with two wins from both 2014 NPL Victoria matches, but Batur said there was still plenty of room for improvement after last Friday’s 2-0 win over Pascoe Vale.
“To be honest, the weekend wasn’t the best, for the whole team,” the central-defender admitted.
“Considering we went into the game pretty good after training, I think some of the boys took it a bit lightly, including myself.
“We can’t let that happen again, and through training this week, I don’t think we will.”
Batur will look to link up again with fellow central defender and pre-season signing Antun Kovacic on Sunday, a player which he believes has a wealth of knowledge that he passes on to fellow defenders.
“It’s good because he (Kovacic) has got a bit of experience behind him and he can sort of teach me a few things,” Batur said.
“I think hopefully before the end of the season, we don’t concede goals – that’s sort of the goal – and with Chris May, Anthony Colosimo on the right and Sam Torrens on the left, we can build a good group of boys and defensive side, so we can be pretty good towards the end.”
Along with new signing Kovacic, winger Daniel Visevic and forward Rodrigo Covarrubias have also slotted seamlessly into Andrew Marth’s side, a transition which Batur credits to a previous knowledge of the new players’ styles.
“We’ve known Daniel from previous clubs and we sort of know the way he plays so that’s why it’s pretty easy to get him into the side and it’s pretty good with the boys. Rodrigo likewise – he’s come into the team, he’s done well, he’s held his fort up front – so can’t complain!”
Melbourne Knights do battle with Werribee City THIS SUNDAY at Knights Stadium, with kick off from 3PM, in what will be the club’s third competitive NPL Victoria match of the new year.