The Montreal Alouettes’ interim general manager and head coach, Danny Maciocia, has decided to put the odds in his favor as his team hopes to make his home more hostile to the opposition.
The club trained at Percival-Molson Stadium on Wednesday, rather than at their training ground between Olympic Stadium and Saputo Stadium. Maciocia hopes that his troop will be more comfortable at home, starting Saturday, when the Alouettes (3-6) will host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (3-6).
“This is where we play and we want to be more familiar with our home,” defensive back Wesley Sutton said earlier this week. We will have the same view during the game. This is what drives this decision. We play here. We want to better defend our nest! »
The Alouettes have lost two of their three home games this season. It is important to Maciocia that his troop improve their performance in front of their fans, in order to increase their chances of climbing the Eastern Division standings and earning a place in the playoffs.
The Montreal team shot themselves in the foot at home, recently missing a touchdown pass because the Percival-Molson Stadium end zone is not a rectangle. The far corners are cut off due to the athletics track around the soccer field. It is currently the only stadium in the CFL with this feature.
“You have to be comfortable on our field, with the lines that are different and the atmosphere, too,” said guard Kristian Matte. There can only be positives in training here. And if it can help, it must be done to put the odds on our side. »
The Alouettes will play six of their last nine home games. Heading into CFL action week, they were third in the East Division with the same number of points as the Tiger-Cats, who beat them 24-17 on July 28. The Toronto Argonauts (4-4) top the East Division standings. They have an appointment with the Calgary Stampeders (5-3) on Saturday night.
If the Alouettes are able to make Percival-Molson Stadium their fortress, they will maximize their chances of extending their season.
“It starts with the defense. She has to be tenacious and have some attitude, Sutton said. We must be convinced that no one can score against us. If the opposing team doesn’t score, they won’t win. »
For his part, Matte stressed that it’s all about attitude if the Alouettes want to make their home more intimidating.
“You always have to want him more than the guy in front of you,” said the veteran of 158 regular CFL games. Yeah, in pro sports, you’re not always going to beat the guy in front of you, because he’s got that same will too. But if we are able to win this battle, we will be tough to beat. »
More reunions
Two faces familiar to the Alouettes recently joined the Tiger-Cats. Coach Khari Jones, fired on July 8 by the Montreal club, is now a football operations advisor with the Tiger-Cats. In addition, quarterback Matt Schiltz now wears black and yellow after four campaigns in the Montreal nest.
Matte was keen to downplay the impact Jones and Schiltz may have had in the Tiger-Cats’ win over the Alouettes last month.
“Our plans change every week,” he said. Yes, Khari knows the players and has been leading us for a long time, but plans have changed offensively and defensively. »
Schiltz could get a second straight start behind the Tiger-Cats center. Head coach Orlondo Steinauer said Dane Evans will be in uniform after missing his team’s last game with a shoulder injury. Steinauer, however, did not reveal the identity of his starting quarterback.
“I don’t think there’s an advantage for either team, but it would be bittersweet to go up against him and want to make plays against him because he’s such a good guy,” said Sutton about Schiltz. He likes to run with the ball and he has a good arm. I look forward to taking on this challenge. »