Whittlesea Ranges’ confidence is growing on the back on two straight wins in National Premier League 2 west.
After a disappointing start under new coach Tony Ciantar, the Ranges have started to find their range in the past two weeks.
Ciantar said it was a combination of getting the confidence back into the group and adding several new players.
“The self-belief has come once I got a good understanding of what the players can and can’t do,” he said.
“We’re playing a system which helps the team concede less goals and help get us out of the relegation battle.”
Ciantar said the club had looked to add experience in the transfer window, picking up half a dozen players.
He said the were left with little choice but to look for outside help, with some players moving on for various reasons.
The inclusions include Chris Dib, a centre-back who spent three years at Sunshine George Cross before moving to Dandenong Thunder.
Anthony Ramzy has come across from Northcote City, while Andrew Doig and Calvin Mbarga add plenty of experience. Werribee City’s Anthony Taranto and Hume City goalkeeper Gian Tapia has also signed up.
Tobia Haegele finally has a visa, so is like a new recruit for the club.
On Saturday, the Ranges made it two straight wins with a 2-0 win against Melbourne City.
Ciantar said it was a good sign they always thought they could over-power the opposition.
”Melbourne City are a really young side that kind of gets out-muscled against some senior players,” he said.
“We shut them out and dried up their space by constantly putting pressure on them.
“We scored our first through a great chip by Ramzy and then scored the second goal through a set piece.”
Haegele was the other goal scorer.
The win moves the Ranges to 19 points, with a 4-4-8 record.
