Perth Glory coach Dave Mitchell feels his team is hitting form at the right time of the season.
Perth Glory coach Dave Mitchell feels his team is hitting form at the right time of the season.
With three games to play in the regular season, Perth are fifth, just one point off the Newcastle Jets in fourth, and two points clear of Wellington in sixth.
“We-ve put ourselves in a good position with two at home and one away,” Mitchell said.
This Sunday, the Glory hosts the Central Coast Mariners (7th) in a match described as a mini-final.
“For us it-s a big game, if we win, it just about assures us of a finals spot.
“It-s also a big game for Central Coast and they probably should-ve won last week with the performance they put in.”
Striker Daniel McBreen has been one the reasons for Perth-s recent run with two goals from two starts and the coach could not be happier with his decision to release Eugene Dadi
“We brought some new faces in at the right time and they-ve added a bit of a spark to the team and they-ve been great, they-ve lifted everyone and now we-ve got a bit of depth in the squad and that-s what we-ve always been after.
“There were a lot of people speaking about the Eugene scenario but for me he didn-t work hard enough and he wasn-t a team player.
“Everyone can see Daniel McBreen puts his heart and soul into it, even though he-s not going to be with us next year.
“That-s just the character of the guy. He works hard for his teammates and he-s scoring goals, which is fantastic.”
The Glory have won three and drawn one from their last five games but Mitchell does not believe his team is playing their best Football, just yet.
“No, a few people think that. I think at the start of the season we played some great football, then hit a bit of a bad patch but we are coming good again but certainly not at our best yet,” Mitchell said.
Sunday 31 January 2010
Perth Glory v Central Coast Mariners
ME Bank Stadium, Perth
Local Kick-Off: 4.00pm (7.00pm AEDT)
Referee: Gerard Parsons
Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 1, 1 HD and Sky Sport 3. Hyundai A-League club radio broadcast partner is 6PR (Perth) 882AM and 96.3 Coast FM (Gosford). To purchase tickets visit www.ticketmaster.com
Perth Glory Squad:1.Tando VELAPHI (gk), 2.Danny McBreen, 3.Jamie COYNE, 4.Andy TODD, 5.Jamie HARNWELL, 6.Chris COYNE, 7. Jacob BURNS (c), 11. Branko JELIC, 12.Scott NEVILLE, 13.Scott BULLOCH, 14. Steven McGARRY, 16.Adriano PELLEGRINO, 17.Todd HOWARTH, 19.Naum SEKULOVSKI, 20.Aleks VRTESKI (gk), 21.Mile STERJOVSKI, 23.Andrija JUKIC, 28. Tommy AMPHLETT
*three to be omitted*
In: Branko JELIC (promoted), Scott NEVILLE (promoted), Tommy AMPHLETT (promoted)
Out:Nil
Unavailable: Wayne SRHOJ (knee – 1 week), Viktor SIKORA (thigh – 1 week)
Central Coast Mariners squad: 1. Andrew REDMAYNE (GK), 2. Matthew CROWELL, 4. Pedj BOJIC, 5. Brad PORTER, 7. John HUTCHINSON, 9. Nik MRDJA, 11. Dylan MACALLISTER, 14. Michael McGLINCHEY, 15. Andrew CLARK, 17. Chris DOIG, 18. Alex WILKINSON (C), 19. Matt SIMON, 20. Danny VUKOVIC (GK), 22. Nicky TRAVIS, 23. Adam KWASNIK.
In: Nicky TRAVIS (promoted)
Out: Nigel BOOGAARD (suspended – 1 week)
Unavailable: Nigel BOOGAARD (suspended), Ahmad ELRICH (ankle – indefinite)
Head-to-Head: Played 14: Perth Glory wins 1, Central Coast Mariners wins 9 (4 draws)
