HOPPERS Crossing has endured a bumpier-than-usual ride in the Football Federation Victoria pre-season.
The Reds have used experimental line-ups in each of their three friendlies, leading to an erratic formline.
Relaxed Reds coach Joey Vella said that squad instability led to Saturday’s 6-1 practice match loss to higher-league team Yarraville Glory and should be taken with a grain of salt.
“We have been a bit up and down,” he said. “We’ve been trying players in different positions, guys have been playing half a game here and there and we haven’t settled on our best squad.
“We’ve also had players coming off injury and other players trialling with higher division clubs. I’m confident we’ll be OK.”
The excuses will run out for the Reds when they enter the FFV State Knockout Cup in the second round on Saturday.
The Reds have re-signed most of the squad that nearly got them promotion last season, apart from retirees Chris Cullen and Chris Harding and Surf Coast-bound Marcus Jablonski.
They have already locked in striker Billy Milenkovski, a bullocking forward, and central midfielder Julian Zack.
