A typically upbeat Kenny Lowe has insisted that his Glory side are in a good place heading into Saturday’s home clash with Central Coast Mariners.
Last weekend’s draw at Western Sydney left the visitors four points outside the top six with five games left, four of which are at home.
And Lowe remains confident that his charges can continue their push for a finals berth.
“You never give up hope,’ he said. “Why can’t a team lose five and we win five? We’ve seen it happen.
“There are teams under pressure who are not performing and we’re coming in with a stronger and fitter squad and so for us it’s positives. We’re on the up, not the down.
“We’re not looking too far ahead. The aim is just to win this game and then see what happens next.”
Lowe went on to confirm that he’s expecting Nick Feely to acquit himself well as he prepares to make his first Hyundai A-League start of the season in place of the suspended Liam Reddy.
“He’s been with us for two years now and every time he’s stood in he’s done really well,” he said.
“It’s probably just unfortunate for him that he’s got a really experienced ‘keeper in front of him, but now he’s got an opportunity.
“When Shane Lowry came back and was fit and ready to play, we won so he had to wait his turn to get back into the side.
“So if we win and Nicky does well, maybe Liam will have to wait his turn.
“Nick’s been at big clubs like Celtic and he’s a bright boy who understands the game. He’s a good’keeper and now he’s got his chance.”
Unfortunately, Diego Castro’s calf strain is set to rule him out for a second successive game, but Lowe revealed that the Spaniard’s injury is a relatively minor one.
“Diego is possibly another week away,” he said. “He’s just a bit sore.
“The good news is that he hasn’t got a tear, he’s got fluid in there and it’s a sensitive area of the calf so he’s feeling a bit of pain.
“We’ve got a bit of a break after this week which will be good for him.”
The Mariners will head west having snapped an 11-game winless streak by downing Wellington last time out and Lowe is expecting Paul Okon’s men to provide a stern challenge.
“The Mariners are a good side who have had their issues with injuries, had some important players out and brought in a centre-forward from overseas who didn’t quite work out,” he said
“But they have some good young players, play a great brand of football and it’ll be a tough game.”
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Match Details
Hyundai A-League Round 22
Saturday, 10 March 2018
Perth Glory v Central Coast Mariners
nib Stadium, Perth
Kick-Off: 7:00 PM (Local) (10:00 PM AEDT)
Referee: Kurt Ams
Assistant Referee 1: Scott Edeling
Assistant Referee 2: Arvin Shanmuganathan
Fourth Official: Adam Fielding
Video Assistant Referee: Eddie Lennie
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #PERvCCM
Perth Glory squad: 2.Alex GRANT, 4.Shane LOWRY, 7.Joel CHIANESE, 8.Xavi TORRES, 9.Andy KEOGH (c), 13.Nick FEELY (gk), 14.Chris HAROLD, 15.Brandon WILSON, 16.Joseph MILLS, 18.Andreu GUERAO, 20.Jake BRIMMER, 22.Adam TAGGART, 23.Scott NEVILLE, 26.Jacob ITALIANO, 40.Jackson LEE (gk), 66.Dino DJULBIC, 88.Neil KILKENNY
**one to be omitted**
Ins: 14.Chris HAROLD (returns from injury), 40.Jackson Lee (gk) (promoted)
Outs: 33.Liam REDDY (Gk) (suspended – 1 week), 17.Diego CASTRO (calf – 1 week)
Central Coast Mariners Squad: 1.Ben KENNEDY (gk), 2.Storm ROUX, 4.Jake McGING, 5.Antony GOLEC, 6.Tom HIARIEJ, 7.Andrew HOOLE, 8.Blake POWELL, 10.Danny De SILVA, 11.Connor PAIN, 12.Trent BUHAGIAR, 15.Alan BARO (c) 16.Liam ROSE, 18.Tom GLOVER (gk), 19.Jacob POSCOLIERO, 22.Jacob MELLING, 23.Wout BRAMA 24.Lachlan WALES, 27.Peter SKAPETIS
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 16.Liam ROSE (promoted), 24.Lachlan WALES (promoted)
Outs: nil
#CREATEDESTINY
