While Aurelio Vidmar’s two match suspension could not be more poorly timed as Adelaide’s season lurches towards the edge of the cliff, just maybe something good could come of it.
Normally, in Travis Dodd’s words, the players just do “what the coaches tell them” so taking this season in isolation that ain’t working, why not try something new.
And this week they have with the players being encouraged to speak out more not only during review sessions but also during training.
The hope of course is that it will lead instantly lead to crucial three points against North Queensland and then many more in remaining dozen or so games.
The theory is that feedback sessions will lead to a more collective sense of leadership on the field.
This in turn might help produce more 90 minute performances, and not just the 20, 30 or 40 minutes which have typically summed up United’s frustrating 2009-10 campaign.
Travis Dodd, still by his own admission growing into his captaincy role will appreciate the extra vocal support although he admitted the idea is something that will take time to get used to.
But if Aurelio Vidmar is to be believed then just maybe it has worked.
If it’s possible, training has again been better, with better movement, better quality finishing in front of goals and a higher intensity to the routines.
Of course it’s all about translating training ground routines into match play, and so far United have essentially failed to do that.
But as the Reds mount the latest attempt to resurrect their season, at least they are going to a place with happy memories.
Townsville is where the A-League’s latest starlet Matthew Leckie scored his first goal, United’s second in a two-nil win.
As United fly in to try and the repeat the result, Leckie will be boosted by that memory but also the vote of confidence given to him by Vidmar who this weekend looks set to name an unchanged 11 for the first time since Round 9.
Vidmar said he doesn’t see the point in chopping and changing each week especially after an encouraging performance against the Gold Coast which he said demonstrated United’s “fighting spirit.”
So we will get to see whether the partnership of Dodd and Leckie continues to develop, although Vidmar insists there is no pressure on Leckie.
“We’re not hanging our season on Leckie…He’s got attributes that not many others in the league have, but there’s no pressure on him, he’s an 18 year-old kid.”
That may well be the case but it’s a different situation for the team which simply must return with three points.
Most United fans will be watching from afar, as will Vidmar, somewhere in the stands and unable to communicate with the bench for the next two games.
He’ll certainly get a different view, but with consecutive home defeats on the cards, Fury coach Ian Ferguson will be determined to ensure it’s not a happy one.