Looking at the FFV state league 4 north ladder it would seem that Meadow Park is in a very bad place.
But the Eagles are starting to make inroads.
In the first 11 rounds of the season, the Eagles were completely outplayed, scoring a single goal compared with their opposition’s 67.
Since then, the Eagles have drawn two of three matches – including Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Northern United.
While from the outside the position continues to look grim, for the Eagles and coach John Blicharz it’s about the bigger picture.
“The results do show it has been a poor season,” said Blicharz before the weekend’s match.
“When we started getting the squad together for the first and second side, we knew it would be a tough season.
“We tried to get the whole side together from scratch as the players from last season left.
“Realistically, we do lack experience in both sides. We’ve got to keep taking steps.”
He said the club was looking at a longer-term approach and not just focusing on this year.
Blicharz said the lack of experience meant some younger players were being given an opportunity.
“There’s three to four younger ones who are getting significant game time,” he said. “It’s giving them senior experience they might not get at higher clubs.”
He said the club would partly judge its improvement on how the side went against clubs a second time round.
Blicharz said the players “were rapt” with their draw with Northern United but remained aware that relegation was a very real prospect.
“It’s a long process and we are trying to sell it that way,” he said.
“We are moving in the right direction and taking baby steps.
“We thought we were going to get relegated last season but with other teams pulling out we stayed up.
“Whether it happens again this year, we will see.”
