Perth Glory captain Jacob Burns believes his squad will bounce back this weekend in the club’s all important match with the Newcastle Jets on Saturday.
Perth Glory captain Jacob Burns believes his squad will bounce back this weekend in the club-s all important match with the Newcastle Jets on Saturday.
Burns, who was yesterday selected for the Qantas Socceroo squad for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup qualifier on January 6, says Perth are hungry for the three points and to continue their good run against the Jets.
While Newcastle have been in excellent form recently, stringing together four consecutive wins, Glory have beaten the Jets on both occasions this season and will be looking to maintain their clean sheet with a third win on Boxing Day.
“We-ve had a good record against them. They are a good side and they are in good form but I back us. I back us to bounce back on a couple of poor performances and to really turn it on in front of our home crowd.
“We-ve got tremendous quality in the squad and I think that once the goals go in it will get us going.
“We-ll be working extremely hard this week and hopefully the fans will come out and give us the support we need and I know we-ll put on a good show to get us on a roll again,” Burns said.
The versatile midfielder says the squad is optimistic they can get back among the top few teams by securing a couple of wins, starting with this weekend-s match.
“I wouldn-t say the lads- confidence is down. We all back ourselves and know what we-re capable of and I think a lot of teams know that as well.
“The good thing is it-s a league where it-s incredibly tight, and a few wins gets you right back up in the top four,” Burns said.
Perth will play five of their next eight games at home and will use that advantage in the lead up to the finals in March.
“All that matters is where you finish. And we-ve got eight or so games to put everything right and finish in the finals. And I think that if we do we are more than capable on turning on anyone on the day.
“If we keep working the way we have been, especially at home, then I think we will definitely end up higher on the table.
“We remain positive, it-s not all doom and gloom. We know we are strong at home and we have had a good run of home games coming up so we-ll be doing everything we can to get there,” Burns said.
On his call up to the Socceroos squad, Burns says he is ecstatic to return to national duties.
“It-s always fantastic getting called up for your country. Now it-s a job of going over there and I-m really pleased for the other boys too that have been included.
“It-s a bit of a mix of the Hyundai A-league and the European boys so it-s something to look forward to,” Burns said.
For the moment though, Burns says he is focussing on the game against the Jets and doing his best for Glory.
“Without a doubt it-s the biggest game for us. Newcastle will definitely bring to the party, they are a strong outfit and a very physical outfit.
“We have to match that and then go and get the goals and play our football.”
