Soccer: Give me a 100 per cent effort, Fallon tells Kingz

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Kevin Fallon is not expecting miracles when the Football Kingz run on to Marathon Stadium for their clash with Newcastle tonight.

But he will be looking for something much better than he had to endure as he watched his side slump to a 7-1 loss against Parramatta Power last week.

"We don't have to play very well to improve on last week's second-half performance," Fallon said yesterday.

"No coach can do much if the players can't, won't or don't run.

"It was terrible. There are too many players who are not performing. You have to ask why.

"The Parramatta players wanted to run. We did not."

While Fallon has worked his players this week, he has made no more than passing comments about last Friday's game.

That will change this morning when he calls the players in for a team meeting before a light training session. He is hoping for some honesty. And some hard talking. And a resolve to do better.

In Fallon's favour is the team's record against better NSL sides.

Newcastle go into the match in second place and looking to consolidate the advantage that goes with it in next month's top-six playoffs.

In the game between the two in Auckland, the Kingz led until virtually the last kick when Newcastle snatched a goal for a 2-2 draw.

Fallon would settle for a repeat.

Even more, he wants 90 minutes of honest toil from players who continually frustrate him with their inability to show the professionalism and enthusiasm that football at this level demands.

Tonight's game will be another test, with injuries again causing uncertainty.

Key defender Robbie Hooker, who was sorely missed in last week's debacle, is again out of the side and Andy Vlahos has been left home nursing a hip injury.

Under a cloud, but with the team in Newcastle, are Jeff Campbell, John Markovski and goalkeeper Michael Theoklitos.

It seems either Theoklitos or Scott Bishop will start in goal. "We have to make do with what we have available and hope they can respond," Fallon said.

"Our chances of reaching the top six have long gone, but that is no excuse for not giving 100 per cent."

Kingz (likely): Michael Theoklitos, Jonathan Perry, Levent Osman, Markovski, Sean Douglas, Harry Ngata, Chris Jackson (capt), George Goutzioulis, Mark Burton, Paul Urlovic, Campbell Banks. Substitutes: Bishop, Hiroshi Miyazawa, Craig Wylie, Campbell.