Watch: Rogers promises attacking football as Balzan eye fresh start in Premier League

It has been a summer of transition at Balzan as president Anton Tagliaferro has been busy revamping his squad after a Houdini escape act from relegation last season.

Tagliaferro replaced Oliver Spiteri, who rejected the chance to extend his contract with the club, with new English manager Dave Rogers and lost his skipper Paul Fenech who joined Swieqi as a player-coach.

So, Rogers, a globetrotter, who has coached in at least three continents and had two stints as a Liverpool Academy Coach, has cast his net across Europe and beyond, for the new recruits.

He has brought in Isaac Westendorf, Carson Buschman, Kevin Williams, Udoyan Akpan, Henri Stanic, and Afghanistan international Mosawer Ahadi.

Likewise, Nicholas Pulis, formerly of Sirens, Dylan Ciappara, and Jake Engerer of Sliema have joined the club.

“I spoke to the president quite a long time ago, he told me his vision and aligns with my vision and play development and my strategy in football,” Rogers said.

“That means that I chose the players, I select the team, and decide how to play. Hence the players you see today, they haven’t been signed through a video clip, but these are players that I have been monitoring for the last five years.”

“As a coach, you should be proactive and ensure that you have a plan in place, for whatever is your goal, ensuring you bring in the right profile and right type of character but most importantly, the right people.

“The people I brought in from overseas are fantastic human beings and they are here for the right reason, they want to become better and want to be part of something special,” he added.

The Rogers revolution at Balzan is well and truly underway as changes were not limited to just the personnel, but the English coach is promising a new brand of quick football, high-press and athleticism, that can pose problems to any team, even the top teams in Malta.

“First and foremost I demand of myself and the players, maximum efforts not just in training. We will be trying to win every game in football, we will not be going to sit back. I do not believe in sitting back, I believe in attacking in each game.

“It does not mean that we are going to win every game, absolutely not, but as long as our players run on the front foot and show enthusiasm, that’s what I will be looking for, everything else will take care of itself,” he explained.

Tagliaferro has set his sights on securing a top-six position as Balzan seek to re-establish themselves among the top teams in the Premier League.

The Maltese-born Australian is hoping for less of a rollercoaster campaign this season as the new league format can spring surprises. 

“The Premier League has a new format, very complex with 16 games in every run. Our aim is to try and be in the top six. Once you’re there, you never know,” he added.

Tagliaferro said that the new league format is a mystery box and such a maddening puzzle was left there for them to unravel.

“People might say the first round is not important as no points will be carried forward at the end of the season.

“But if you are on equal points with other teams for whatever position, the head-to-head games matter, and at end of the day, every game does end up potentially counting,” he said.

“Two seasons ago, we qualified for the Europa League after a decider. We had a better head-to-head with Mosta and finished playing the decider with Hibs. So, every game is a test for us.

“I am very comfortable with how the preseason has gone, very happy with the new signings.”

But Rogers was quick to pour cold water on the president’s enthusiasm.

“Success this season would be not being in the position we were last season. Going into the final game of the season trying to stay up and fight relegation,” he added.