Justin Pasfield To Replace Paul Henderson In North Queensland Fury Goals Against Adelaide

Justin Pasfield will replace Paul Henderson in the North Queensland Fury goals tonight against Adelaide United, as manager Ian Ferguson looks to arrest his side's poor run of form.

The Fury coach has also announced newcomer Terry Cooke and youngster Jack Hingert have been given the nod to start against the Reds.

Hingert will get a start at left back at the expense of Chris Tadrosse while Cooke will sure up the midfield in the absence of James Robinson.

Ferguson said he felt that changes had to be made in light of consecutive losses and the most striking is the promotion of Pasfield.

“He’s waited patiently,” Ferguson said of Pasfield.

“He had an opportunity last time and he came in and we drew 1-1 with the Roar and he got an injury the following day so, unfortunately he had to miss out and Hendo came back in but now he’s got another chance and he’s got to take it.”

Ferguson made no effort to hide his dissatisfaction with the Fury’s defence in the 1-5 loss to the Central Coast Mariners last week, but he’s looking for a better performance right across the pitch when the Fury run on against Adelaide.

“I felt the Mariners picked us off pretty easily from the back and through the midfield,” the Fury coach said.

“We’ve got to work really hard when we lose the ball.”

“We’ve got to try and get the defensive shape and we’ve got to hit the other team with a bit more purpose and get up there a little quicker, because we’re not showing the support that we should be showing.”

“We’ve got to get back to basics and first and foremost we’ve got to stop conceding goals.”

Ferguson isn’t expecting Cooke to last the full 90 minutes with nothing more than training runs at Nottingham Forest and two weeks with the Fury under his belt, but he is asking the same of the former Manchester United midfielder as every other player in the squad.

He continued, “It’s going to be a tough ask. He’ not played for a while.

"He’s done plenty of training here now, but as you know training fitness and match fitness are completely different.”

“We might get 60 or 70 minutes out of him. We’ll just see how he does - It’s like everyone else.”

“I ask every player to give what they’ve got and replace them if they hold their hand up.”

Bolstering The Back Four

Ferguson will also bring in Brisbane Strikers centre-half Matt Smith to help bolster the side’s back four over the next six weeks, the 27 year-old available for the Adelaide clash.

“Matt will come in for the next six weeks as an injury replacement for Shane Stefanutto," Ferguson said,

“He’s a hard worker and he’s got good vision at the back.

“Matt gives us another option to work with and that’s what we need at this stage with so many injuries.”

For Smith the opportunity to play in the A-League is a turning point for his career.

“It’s a six week contract and really it’s like an extended trial to show the coach what I’m capable of,” Smith said.

“Professional football is what I want."