Roda boss hails Juric quality

Tomi Juric has the quality to thrive in the Netherlands but still has it all to do, according to Roda JC coach Darije Kalezic as the Australia striker made it two goals in three appearances for his new club.

Tomi Juric has made an impressive start in the Eredivisie and hopes to cement his place in the Roda starting XI Source: AAP

Juric followed up his strike in last week’s 3-0 cup win over third tier De Treffers, with another for the newly promoted club in Monday’s 2-1 loss to FC Twente.

And Kalezic believes there can be plenty more to come for the 24-year-old, who shares the Roda jersey with fellow Aussies Rostyn Griffiths, and Daniel De Silva.

“Tomi still has to show me that he can develop himself the right way but I believe that he has the qualities to do that and the ability to be a starting player for us," he said.

“We have been working on Tomi’s condition and technical skill for the past six weeks (after he arrived at the club  without the benefit of a pre-season).

While keen to develop Juric's undoubted talent, Kalezic, who took charge in the off-season, gives no guarantees to anybody in his line-up.

“Consistency is very important for the players, and Tomi, like anybody else has to deserve to play," he said.

“I have other strikers also who want to show what they can do. We have a Ghana international Richmond Boakye, who we signed from Atalanta. He was four million euros player at Juventus a couple of years back and he’s also a good player.”

With Juric recalled to Australia’s squad for next month's FIFA World Cup qualifier against Jordan in Amman after missing out against Bangladesh and Tajikistan, Kalezic sees his involvement with the national team as a vital part of this progression.

“For himself, it’s very important to be involved with the Socceroos. I have worked with him for seven weeks and I can see what it means to him," he said.

Kalezic is also delighted by the contribution of former Perth Glory midfielder Rostyn Griffiths, who has played in all seven of Roda’s Eredivisie games this season and has become a linchpin in an inexperienced line-up.

“Rostyn is improving and developing in this league with every game,” he said of the 27 year old. “He recognises the Dutch way of paying, the Dutch football culture, and that’s very important.

“Everything is faster here than in Australia, so technical skill is also important whereas in Australia maybe you have time for three touches and here you only have time for two."

Young gun Del Silva came off the bench against De Treffers for his debut and then again against Twente and Kalezic is an advocate of the 18 year-old Young Socceroo's creative instincts.

“At this stage it’s difficult to come to a good and very clever opinion about him. But I believe in one thing, and that’s his technical skill and his speed," he said.

“He doesn’t have the consistency yet, but he has his talent and his quality. That’s his base and I believe in that. As a starting point, that’s very positive.”

Lying seventh after seven rounds with 11 points, Roda is exceeding expectations after being written off by many in the Netherlands as certainties for a quick return to the second tier.

“We have been a bit a surprise team so far and nobody expected us to be doing as well we have been," said Kalezic. “Ninety five percent of our team has no experience at the highest level."

Prior to the loss against Twente, it had conceded just one goal in five games, with Kalezic adding: “Last season in the second league, the team conceded 58 goals.

“Of course, it’s difficult to be successful at this level but our one target is to stay in this league and hopefully we are on the way to achieving that."