Perth Glory Coach Dave Mitchell will reward the squad that has notched consecutive victories and elevated the club to fourth on the Hyundai A-League ladder by naming an unchanged line-up for a road clash against Central Coast in Canberra on Friday night.
Perth Glory Coach Dave Mitchell will reward the squad that has notched consecutive victories and elevated the club to fourth on the Hyundai A-League ladder by naming an unchanged line-up for a road clash against Central Coast in Canberra on Friday night.
Midfielder Andrija Jukic has been added to a 16 man travelling party however Mitchell is expected to stick with the squad that defeated Melbourne 2-1 at Members Equity Stadium last Friday.
Utility Jamie Harnwell rejoined training this week after recovering from a hamstring injury which has forced him out of the opening four rounds while former skipper Jamie Coyne is also close to a comeback.
In past seasons Perth has been forced to rush their experienced players back into the line-up but Mitchell has the option this season of giving them added time to regain full fitness while the club-s winning form has made it more difficult to break into the side.
“He’s got great influence at the club and the team but I just feel another week’s training for Jamie would do him the world of good and we’ll see what happens,” Mitchell said of Harnwell-s progress.
“These guys haven’t played a game in four or five weeks so you just can’t throw them in the deep end and you’ve got to reward the squad that’s done well.
“The nucleus of the squad is strong and we’ve got to make sure that people just can’t walk in. Players now have to earn the right to get back and play for Perth Glory.
“That’s sending the message out to everyone,” said Mitchell
Following two wins at home Mitchell-s men are confident of reproducing that form on the road and a victory against the Mariners will set a new Hyundai A-League consecutive winning streak for Perth.
“We-ve won two games but are not getting carried away and just looking to continue to build on our performances. Winning games breeds confidence,” Mitchell said.
“Each week we-re getting better and better, we-ve had a couple of good wins but need to improve our performances on the road and that will be a focus for us against Central Coast.
“They play good football and can mix and match it against every opposition they come up against.
“They-re an all round team and always very competitive. It will be a good challenge for us but one we go into with some confidence and are looking forward to playing.”
Hyundai A-League Rd 5
Central Coast Mariners v Perth Glory
Friday, 4 September 2009 at Canberra Stadium, Canberra
Kick-off: 6.00pm (AWST)
Referee: Ben Williams
Central Coast Mariners Squad: 1. Andrew REDMAYNE (gk), 4. Pedj BOJIC, 5. Brad PORTER, 7. John HUTCHINSON, 8. Dean HEFFERNAN, 9. Nik MRDJA, 11. Dylan MACALLISTER, 12. Matthew LEWIS, 14. Michael McGLINCHEY, 15. Andrew CLARK, 16. Nigel BOOGAARD, 18. Alex WILKINSON (c), 19. Matt SIMON, 20. Danny VUKOVIC (gk), 21. Ahmad ELRICH, 22. Nicky TRAVIS, 23. Adam KWASNIK, 27. Wolry WOLFE.
*three to be omitted*
In: Dylan MACALLISTER (promoted), Matthew LEWIS (promoted), Wolry WOLFE (new signing)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Shane Huke (knee – 6 weeks), Chris Doig (calf – 2 weeks)
Perth Glory Squad: 1.Tando VELAPHI (gk), 4.Andy TODD, 6.Chris COYNE, 7.Jacob BURNS (c), 8.Victor SIKORA, 10.Wayne SRHOJ, 11.Branko JELIC, 12.Scott NEVILLE, 16.Adriano PELLEGRINO, 17.Todd HOWARTH, 19.Naum SEKULOVSKI, 20.Aleks VRTESKI (gk), 21.Mile STERJOVSKI, 23.Andrija JUKIC, 24.Matthew MAYORA, 25.AMARAL
*one to be omitted*
In: 23.Andrija JUKIC (promoted)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Jamie COYNE (knee – 1 week), Jimmy DOWNEY (knee – 3 weeks), Anthony SKORICH (hip – 4 weeks)
*Head-to-Head: Played 12: Central Coast Mariners wins 8, Perth Glory wins 1, Drawn 4
