Moss backs depleted squad to fire against A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers

Despite missing eight players from his squad of 22, the United boss said there were some encouraging signs to emerge from the Blacktown loss last weekend and on the training pitch this week.
Manly United, already depleted with the likes of Craig Midgley, Joey Schirripa, Robbie Cattanach, Adam Foti, Joel Grenell and Andrew Hayward unavailable last start, were further hit this week with news Roberto Hamad will miss two weeks with a shoulder injury, Justin Hayward is struggling with a knock, Luke Walker will be suspended following his red card against the Demons and Joey Gibbs has been retained by Sydney FC until their A-League season is over.
?It leaves me with 13 fit outfield players so it?s all hands to the pump at the moment,? Moss revealed.
?It?s by no means the end of the world though and I?m quietly confident we can go there and get the job done.
?A.P.I.A. have injury problems of their own so we are not alone in our plight. The boys who are in the side know they have a chance to keep their shirt with a good performance.
?We have bodies coming back over the next couple of weeks so competition for spots is increasing by the day.?
Moss said he was ?happy enough? with aspects of the 2-0 to Blacktown last weekend but that his defence had to aim up.
It was the second week in a row the side had conceded two goals and for a unit that prides itself on being stingy at the back, it was an area that needed to be improved.
?We are not used to conceding goals like that and it?s something we have worked on this week ? our defensive structure has to be better and the individual decisions of players defending certain situations has to be better,? Moss said.
?With the ball we have played some good football and now we need to add the finishing touches to our build up and score some goals.
?I?m confident we can do that this weekend.?
The Tigers will be up against it as well as they have defender Danial Cummins suspended and injuries to David Dapuzzo, Anthony Hartshorn, Stephen Kayes, Paul O?Grady who could feature in the Under 20?s and injury concerns to both Robbie Younis and Franco Parisi.
Manly United take on A.P.I.A. Leichhardt Tigers at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday night at 6pm, following the Grade 20s at 4pm and the Grade 18s at 2pm.