NEW Melbourne City midfielder Josh Brillante has urged the young players in the squad to seize their opportunities ahead of their huge Melbourne Derby this weekend.
Speaking on Breakfast on FNR, Brillante says he has been impressed with the quality of the City youngsters in the squad, including Connor Metcalfe who has been a shining light in the FFA Cup thus far.
“They’ve gone very well, I’ve been impressed with all the young players,” Brilliante said.
“Especially Connor (Metcalfe), from the get go he has been in the starting line-up and cemented his spot.
“I think that’s what a lot of the young boys need to, they need to take their opportunities because when a coach comes in – they don’t know who the main players are.
“If you can train and show that you’re there to compete for a starting spot and you can perform in the games – it doesn’t matter how old you are.”
The 26-year-old has also donned the new skins this season trading the Sydney ‘sky blue’ for Melbourne’s and believes he has settled in quite well to his new surroundings.
“It has been full on since arriving here in Melbourne,” Brillante said.
“We hit the ground running with pre-season and been training most days during the week.
“I settled in great, the club and all the guys have been really helpful and made things a lot easier.
“I am really enjoying my time here; it’s been a smooth transition.”
Melbourne City has also been on a roll in the FFA Cup, making it to their second final in club history and Brillante believes the new system implemented by new manager Erick Mombaerts has shaped their run to the final.
“It’s another competition so I think every team should look to do the best they can,” Brillante said.
“We hit the ground running and we were working really hard from the start, obviously the new coach has come in and brought in his new system of play and it seems to have worked quite well for us.
“We’ve played some good games, some good footy and we have done well to make it to the finals.”
Brillante also spoke about Mombaerts who he believes his positive energy on the training ground is having a positive impact on the playing group.
“He’s one of those coaches that are very relaxed and very calm,” Brillante said.
“Some coaches are very loud and boisterous, he has got plenty of energy and always laughing, always positive and it rubs off on the players in training and in games.
“He has a very stylish dress sense, apparently when he rocked up, he rocked up in this long black suit and top hat and he just rolled into the gym and punched out fifteen chin-ups”
Brillante’s first A-League game with City comes this weekend against arch-rivals Melbourne Victory and the midfielder says he can’t wait to play in front of a huge crowd come Saturday night.
“We are all pumped, it’s going to be a massive game,” Brillante said.
“We have been working all week and pumping ourselves up for the game, so we can’t wait.”
