Kenny Lowe has refused to dwell on the opening round result to Thursday night opponents Central Coast Mariners treating the clash as an entirely different entity.
After securing a solid home victory over last season’s Hyundai A-League Champions Adelaide United, the Perth Glory coach has refuted claims that the 3-3 draw with Central Coast will have a bearing on the rematch.
“No, not at all. Every game’s different,” Lowe said.
“You know if that’s what happened then it’s got no bearing on this game whatsoever. We just go into this one and hopefully we’ve prepared well and hopefully we can play well and hopefully we can get something out of the game.”
“I’m one of them where you know, yeah you’ve got a rearview mirror. You use it, you glance at it, you don’t always keep looking backwards. We’re looking forwards. We’re looking forward to the game and we’ll focus on THE game that’s in front of us, not the games that are behind us.”
Perth head into this fixture off after a short turnaround after defeating Adelaide 3-1 on Friday night but the Glory coach is unfazed by the scheduling.
“We’ve had two really short turnarounds now but I think throughout the year everyone’s going to get dealt that kind of hand. It’s a bit like being in the FFA Cup really you know, you just got to deal with it and get on with it.”
“Could have done without the long trip but also, if you think about it look at the Mariners. I think they’ve had a couple of days less than us to prepare you know but they’re at home obviously and they don’t have to travel but it’s not ideal for them either.”
“We prepare as we always prepare. This is just another game in the game of 27. So we just deal with it and hopefully we get something out of it.”
While the team has conceded 14 goals it has scored the second-most goals in the league (15), narrowly behind leaders Sydney (18).
“There’s one thing you can say about us is that we’re entertaining. As long as we score one more goal than these guys this week, I’m not bothered if it’s 7-6, 9-8. I’m not bothered. I just want to win” Lowe said.
“Obviously, you want to tighten things up and be really frugal at the back. It’s something we’ve talked about and looked at but I think the focus for us is keep scoring goals and hopefully we can pick points up.”
With Adam Taggart travelling across for the long trip, Glory’s attacking power will again be boosted.
“I think we’re always dangerous. We’ve proven over two seasons I’ve been here that we score goals. The big thing is, as you said earlier, is conceding goals. If we can keep tracking and keep doing what we’re doing and be dangerous and we score one more than the opposition, we’re gonna be alright and we’re always gonna score.”
“The boys are good. We’ve got a good group and everyone’s gonna be up for the game.”
Perth Glory faces Central Coast at Central Coast Stadium on Thursday Night.
Kick-off is at 4.50pm (WST)
Glory Stats and Facts
- Perth Glory has won five of their last eight games against Central Coast Mariners
- Central Coast is yet to win a home game since Round 13 last season, losing seven games and drawn twice since that win.
- 18 goals have been scored in the last four games between both sides, including six in our last encounter, and only once has either team kept a clean sheet in that span.
- Perth Glory remains undefeated in their last ten games when level or leading at the half-time break.
- Central Coast Mariners have conceded a joint-league high 13 goals from within the 18-yard box.
- Andy Keogh has scored three away goals this season; no player has scored more this season.
- Perth Glory has won two and drawn one against Central Coast in their last three fixtures.
- Liam Reddy has made 18 saves this season – the third-highest in the league.
- Only Liam Reddy has played every minute this season.
- Perth has had 7 different goal scorers this season; Andy Keogh leads the league in goals with 6.
- Perth Glory has scored the second-most goals in the league with 15; three behind league leaders Sydney FC (18).
- Perth has created the 17 big chances in the league; the 2nd most in the league behind Sydney FC.
- Perth sits third in duels won with 52.4% narrowly behind Adelaide United who sits top.
- Glory still have one of the best goal conversion rates with 22.4% – second in the league.
- With 67 shots (excl. blocked shots), Glory is second in the league in total shots.
- Dino Djulbic and Alex Grant are equal second in the league for clearances.
- Chris Harold has won a remarkable 28 fouls this season.
- Nebosja Marinkovic has created 16 chances; the second highest in the competition.
SQUADS
Thursday, 24 November 2016
Central Coast Mariners v Perth Glory
Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
Kick-Off: 7:50PM (Local) (7:50PM (AEDT))
Referee: Shaun Evans
Assistant Referee 1: Scott Edeling
Assistant Referee 2: Kearney Robinson
Fourth Official: Kris Griffiths-Jones
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on Fox Sports 505 from 7.30pm (AEDT) and Sky Sports Pop-Up 2 (New Zealand)
Radio Broadcast: ABC Grandstand Digital, online and via the app, EON Sports Radio (eonsportsradio.com), Coast FM 96.3
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #CCMvPER
To purchase tickets visit www.aleague.com.au
Central Coast Mariners squad: 1.Ivan NECEVSKI (gk), 2.Storm ROUX, 3.Scott GALLOWAY, 5.Harry ASCROFT, 6.Blake POWELL, 7.Fabio FERREIRA, 8.Nick MONTGOMERY (c), 9.Roy O’DONOVAN, 10.Mickael TAVARES, 11.Connor PAIN, 12.Trent BUHAGIAR, 13.Kwabena APPIAH, 14.Adam BERRY, 17.Josh BINGHAM, 20.Paul IZZO (gk), 21.Michael NEILL, 22.Jake McGING, 24.Reece PAPADIMITRIOS
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 3.Scott GALLOWAY (return from injury), 13.Kwabena APPIAH (promoted), 24.Reece PAPADIMITRIOS (promoted)
Outs: 16.Liam ROSE (suspended – 1 week)
Unavailable: 4.Jacob POSCOLIERO (quad strain – 1 week), 19.Jacques FATY (knee – 1 week), 23.Jake Adelson (ACL – indefinite)
Perth Glory squad: 2.Alex GRANT, 4.Shane LOWRY, 5.Rhys WILLIAMS, 7.Joel CHIANESE, 8.Rostyn GRIFFITHS (c), 9.Andy KEOGH, 10.Nebojsa MARINKOVIC, 13.Nicholas FEELY (gk), 14.Chris HAROLD, 16.Joe MILLS, 17.Diego CASTRO, 18.Mitch OXBORROW, 19.Josh RISDON, 22.Adam TAGGART, 23.Kosta PETRATOS, 24.Milan SMILJANIC, 33.Liam REDDY (gk)
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 7.Joel CHIANESE (return from injury), 18.Mitch OXBORROW (promoted)
Outs: 15.Brandon WILSON (not selected)
Unavailable: Nil
