EXCLUSIVE: Michael Thwaite is coy on the prospects of a permanent switch to Melbourne Victory but confident his temporary team can triumph this season.
The defender has made an impressive start to life at the club after joining on a season-long loan from Norwegian club Brann.
Coach Ernie Merrick has heaped praise on Thwaite and the player himself believes the club’s coach is second to none when it comes to preparing battle plans.
Thwaite told au.fourfourtwo.com: “I really wanted first team football and I was only coming off the bench with Brann in Norway.
"I went to them and they agreed (with Melbourne Victory) on terms for a loan deal until the end of February. I think it’s really positive for me.”
Australia coach Pim Verbeek wasted little time in getting on the phone to Thwaite to tell him he’d made a smart move. But the player says it’s too early to say whether a permanent return to Australia is on the cards.
He said: “I’ll just focus on the six months until February and have more answers when that time comes.”
Thwaite believes meticulous preparation and attention to detail could prove decisive in Victory’s favour this season and he insists the team will be out to impose themselves on the opposition.
He said: “We’re keeping our heads on the ground, we’ll play how we want to play and not to be dictated to by other teams.
“Tactically we’ve got our heads screwed on. I think we’re developing some good tactics and consistency in our game. It showed in the Pre-Season Cup and hopefully we can show it again when we take on Sydney FC on Saturday.”
Thwaite and Roddy Vargas are expected to continue their central defensive partnership for the trip to Sydney.
“I’ve played with Roddy for each of 90 minutes during pre-season and it’s worked really well. We haven’t leaked too many goals.
“We have some fantastic players so it’s looking very positive for the season. We know that Sydney will be very tough and they have great depth but we need to focus on our own game.”
As for forcing his back into the international set up, Thwaite is not getting ahead of himself.
He said: “I was so happy when I did get that response (over joining Melbourne) from Pim. But to be fair I just want to enjoy playing regularly again and we’ll see what happens in the future. “
Coach Ernie Merrick has heaped praise on Thwaite and the player himself believes the club’s coach is second to none when it comes to preparing battle plans.
Thwaite told au.fourfourtwo.com: “I really wanted first team football and I was only coming off the bench with Brann in Norway.
"I went to them and they agreed (with Melbourne Victory) on terms for a loan deal until the end of February. I think it’s really positive for me.”
Australia coach Pim Verbeek wasted little time in getting on the phone to Thwaite to tell him he’d made a smart move. But the player says it’s too early to say whether a permanent return to Australia is on the cards.
He said: “I’ll just focus on the six months until February and have more answers when that time comes.”
Thwaite believes meticulous preparation and attention to detail could prove decisive in Victory’s favour this season and he insists the team will be out to impose themselves on the opposition.
He said: “We’re keeping our heads on the ground, we’ll play how we want to play and not to be dictated to by other teams.
“Tactically we’ve got our heads screwed on. I think we’re developing some good tactics and consistency in our game. It showed in the Pre-Season Cup and hopefully we can show it again when we take on Sydney FC on Saturday.”
Thwaite and Roddy Vargas are expected to continue their central defensive partnership for the trip to Sydney.
“I’ve played with Roddy for each of 90 minutes during pre-season and it’s worked really well. We haven’t leaked too many goals.
“We have some fantastic players so it’s looking very positive for the season. We know that Sydney will be very tough and they have great depth but we need to focus on our own game.”
As for forcing his back into the international set up, Thwaite is not getting ahead of himself.
He said: “I was so happy when I did get that response (over joining Melbourne) from Pim. But to be fair I just want to enjoy playing regularly again and we’ll see what happens in the future. “
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