Perth Glory players are determined to continue their impressive rise up the Hyundai A-League ladder with marquee marksman Mile Sterjovski predicting significant improvement from the club across the park.
Perth Glory players are determined to continue their impressive rise up the Hyundai A-League ladder with marquee marksman Mile Sterjovski predicting significant improvement from the club across the park.
Perth has reached new heights following two gutsy victories on the road and return to ME Bank Stadium in a bid to consolidate their lofty position with consecutive games at home.
Sterjovski is confident the squad can combine the fighting spirit shown in recent outings with the dominance they showed in patches to start the season across the entire 90 minutes.
“I don-t think we-ve had the best start to the season but we-ve fought our way back and are very happy to be sitting in second on the table,” Sterjovski said.
“I think at home is where we are the strongest and teams find it hard to travel all this way.
“To get as many points at home is the key to our season and then to nick a few points away from home is going to make the difference for us.”
While Perth sit at the pointy end of the table it is a log-jam with only two points separating first and seventh place. The tightness of the competition adding even more importance on Glory-s ability to capitalise at home where they are unbeaten in three games this season.
“I knew it was going to be an interesting season, there are a lot of good teams, but I didn-t think it was going to be this close,” said Sterjovski.
“I think it will be an interesting season all the way until the end so we have to be at the top of our game and keep doing well.”
North Queensland fly west for a Saturday showdown against the Glory and while the Fury are propping up the ladder after nine rounds Sterjovski said Perth can-t afford to drop their guard against a team that includes the quality of Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler.
“They-re going to be a difficult team to play against and we-re looking forward to it. Hopefully we can get a big crowd to come and support us and we can continue on our good run.
“We have to be on top of our game and concentrate for the full 90 minutes. It-s not going to be an easy game and we have to put that in our mind and go out there and play for the result,” said Sterjovski.
After arriving only weeks before Glory-s new season Sterjovski has increased his output in each match and already has two goals and a league leading four assists to his name. But far from resting on his laurels, the Socceroos star has issued a warning to defenders across the league that his best is yet to come.
“I-m happy that I-ve contributed to a lot of our goals but I think I-m only playing at 50 to 60 per cent. I feel like there is a lot more to come from me and also the team,” he said.
“We-re not playing particularly well but it is a good sign that we-re equal top of the table and we haven-t hit top gear yet.
“There are good times coming ahead.”
