CONVERTING chances - it has been an area missing from Western NSW's game in recent campaigns but coach Mark Rooke is determined it won't be a talking point in 2020.
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This Saturday night Western will open its National Premier Leagues 4 season with an away match against Camden and Rooke is hoping to see his men put the ball in the back net.
It is something Western did twice in a 2-all draw with Camden back in March - a result which has now been wiped from the slate as the season starts anew. Still, it was a game Rooke's side has learned from.
"To be honest we should have come away with the three points, but we've got a few notes on Camden where hopefully we can impact them," the coach said.
"We know their threats and what they might bring to us, they've certainly got a few decent attacking boys, a good number nine and a really quick winger, so they're areas we're going to have to be aware of.
"We can certainly exploit their back line, I don't think that's a strong area for them."
While Western has lost Tom Miller and Josh Brown from the squad which started 2020, Ryan Campbell has joined Rooke's ranks and he will line up in the front third of the pitch.
Western's two imports Daniel Baumgartner and Cameron DeJong will make their NPL4 debut on Saturday as well. They will add starch to the defence and Rooke hopes they can also help feed the strikers quality ball.
"Hopefully we can find that goal scoring touch, that's what we're after. We always compete well in matches but we don't get the rewards at times we need in front of goals," Rooke said.
"So that's an area we need to make sure we're strengthening, improving and hopefully will be better in."
The new draw consists of 11 rounds and Rooke feels that to advance to the finals, his side needs to win at least six of those games.
"If you want to be playing semi-finals and it's a top four, if you win six matches then you'd go very close to making that top four I'd say," he said.
"To win that many matches is our first goal and we'll see what happens there, hopefully we get off to a good start this weekend. That enthusiasm the guys have had hopefully brings a few rewards."
Western will face Camden from 7pm Saturday at Ron Dine Stadium.
