WAGGA United captain Lincoln Weir is confident a change in approach has them primed for payback against Hanwood at Rawlings Park on Sunday, crediting a change in formation since their last clash as a big factor in their purple patch.
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After they were beaten 4-0 by the ladder leaders in round seven and defending premiers Lake Albert the following week, the Crows have gone on a seven-game unbeaten streak.
They sit just two points behind third-placed Henwood Park as the race for the double chance in finals heats up.
United have opted to shift regular striker Tyler Allen to the centre of their defence alongside skipper and club stalwart Lincoln Weir, adopting four men at the back.
"Ever since our last game against Hanwood we've changed our formation and our approach, and it's starting to pay off," Weir said.
"With Tyler back there now with me in the centre back spot we're really working well together, and giving the team a different dimension.
"He misses being an attacking option but he's really adjusted well to the role we've asked him to play.
"Because we know each other's games so well and are such good mates (it's working), plus I think it's good for his development to experience a different role."
Hanwood will be without midfielder Andy Gamble who faces suspension for a send off offence committed when playing for Wagga City Wanderers last weekend.
But coach Anthony Agresta is confident they can fill the shoes of arguably their best player thanks to the versatility in his squad.
Matthew Napoli and Sevi Tropea can both play midfield or defence, while Danny Johnson is also a chance to return after a fortnight out.
"It will be a like for like (replacement for Gamble), it just depends on who we go with," Agresta said.
"We're going to have our work cut out going across there but we've also changed things up recently.
"We're starting to get people back and it's giving us some options. With Danny we've played him up forward and down back, there's options now and hopefully it makes us a bit more unpredictable going forward."
Hanwood enjoys top spot on the Pascoe Cup table via goal difference over Lake Albert, with Henwood Park three points behind, with three weeks left before finals.
The Griffith club looked set to cruise to the premiership, but back-to-back losses to Henwood Park and Young stalled their run before confidence boosting wins over Tolland and Cootamundra the past fortnight.
PASCOE CUP
Saturday: Tolland v Henwood Park at Kessler Park (7pm)
Sunday: all games 3pm: Tumut v South Wagga at Bull Paddock, Leeton v Young at MIA Sports Field; Cootamundra v Lake Albert at O'Connor Park; Wagga United v Hanwood at Rawlings Park no.2.
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