Moreton Bay United is set to launch its NPL Queensland Men's campaign tomorrow night – at the fourth attempt.
Heavy rain twice postponed our Round One match at Lions and Saturday’s scheduled visit of Sunshine Coast Wanderers.
But Wanderers will be at Wolter Park tomorrow, kick-off 8pm, to end the long wait for new coach Royce Brownlie and his team.
“Rain frustrates us,” admitted Royce, “you prepare for the first game, build yourself up, we all wanted to play.
“After this and Mackay (February 22) we’ve got Strikers, Olympic and Knights. Three major fixtures and we want games before that to make sure we’re up to pace.
“Sunny Coast – I played them last year (when coach of Logan in the FQPL), but in saying that, they are a totally different squad now.
“I know how Arnie (coach Paul Arnison) thinks and wants to do things, but if our boys stick to their job, go out and play our brand of football, I think we’ll be happy.”
Home games have a vital role to play in Jets’ 2020 campaign and ambitions.
“We have to make it so teams hate coming there. We want three points from every game,” said Royce.
“I remember a few years ago (2015) we made it our fortress and that’s what won us the (NPL Queensland) league. We have to try and do the exact same thing."
Jets are unbeaten in four pre-season games (three wins and a draw), which included winning the Inter City Cup at Rochedale.
“Preseason has been good. We are heading in the right direction, but there’s definitely room for improvement.
“What makes it easy is we have a great group who want to learn and play good football. The squad is close to being finalised, but not quite yet.
“The existing MBU boys are looking fit and ready to go. The new boys have fitted in well and have bought into what we are doing. I think there are exciting times ahead. “What we are looking for is to play our style. If we can stick to our game plan and in attack show our flair, anything can happen.” This is the start of a new era at Moreton Bay United after Royce and assistant Richard Greer took charge late last year – and they have targets.
“Short term, we are looking regroup and build a fresh new look to MBU,” said Royce, “we want the players to play with confidence and express themselves and bring in supporters by playing attacking football.
“Long term, we want MBU to be the force we were when we won the league.”
Jets fixtures 2020 Rd2: Monday February 17 - Jets v Sunshine Coast Wanderers 8pm Rd3: Saturday February 22 - Jets v Magpies Crusaders 6.30pm Rd4: Saturday February 29 - Brisbane Strikers v Jets 6.30pm Rd5: Sunday March 8 - Jets v Olympic 4pm Rd6: Saturday March 14 - Gold Coast Knights v Jets 6.30pm Rd7: Sunday March 29 - Brisbane Roar v Jets 2pm Rd8: Saturday April 4 - Jets v Redlands 5pm Rd9: Sunday April 19 - Jets v Gold Coast United 3pm Rd10: Sunday April 26 - Jets v Capalaba 3.30pm Rd11: Saturday May 2 - Peninsula Power v Jets 6pm Rd12: Saturday May 9 - Easts v Jets 7pm Rd13: Saturday May 16 - Jets v Brisbane City 6pm Rd14: Sunday May 24 - Jets v Lions 3.30pm Rd15: Sunday June 7 - Sunshine Coast Wanderers v Jets 4pm Rd16: Saturday June 13 - Magpies Crusaders v Jets 7.30pm Rd17: Saturday June 27 - Jets v Brisbane Strikers 7pm Rd18: Sunday July 5 - Olympic v Jets 6pm Rd19: Saturday July 11 - Jets v Gold Coast Knights 7pm Rd20: Sunday July 19 - Jets v Brisbane Roar 5pm Rd21: Saturday July 25 - Redlands v Jets 7pm Rd22: Sunday August 2 - Gold Coast United v Jets 4.30pm Rd23: Saturday August 8 - Capalaba v Jets 6.45pm Rd24: Sunday August 16 - Jets v Peninsula Power 6pm Rd25: Saturday August 22 - Jets v Easts 5pm Rd26: Saturday August 29 - Brisbane City v Jets 5.30pm
To be arranged: Rd1 - Lions v Jets