Perth skipper Jacob Burns has applauded the competitive nature of his team mates and their appetite for success as they chase top spot on the Hyundai A-League ladder.
Perth skipper Jacob Burns has applauded the competitive nature of his team mates and their appetite for success as they chase top spot on the Hyundai A-League ladder.
The Glory narrowly missed their chance to reach the pinnacle last weekend in a 2-1 loss to Gold Coast and is eyeing a clash against North Queensland Fury on Saturday as a chance to atone.
“We had an opportunity to go top of the table and that-s gone begging, something we-re determined to rectify,” Burns said.
“It-s good to identify the positives from the game but we didn-t get the points so we-re disappointed in that regard.
“The boys know the areas we need to work on, the areas that need to be ironed out. Everyone is pretty upfront and honest in their opinions of their own performance and what we need to do to be the best in this league,” said Burns.
Burns returned to the fold after a week out and was in the thick of the action against Gold Coast but admitted being gutted after the squad wasn-t rewarded with any away points.
“It was great to be back. I-m not one for watching,” Burns said.
“There are plenty of positives in the way we played and I think you could see that watching it on TV or from the stands. A lot of people I-ve spoken to have said that was some of the best football they-ve seen during this season and it felt like that being out there.
“We-re extremely disappointed not to come away with at least a point. If you look at it overall I think we had the better chances and it-s a little hard to swallow, especially when you think you deserved more out of the game.”
Perth has enjoyed a mini camp this week with the squad staying on the Gold Coast before heading to Townsville for the second match of their road double.
“Travelling across the country twice in a week wasn-t an ideal situation so it has been great to avoid that. The day after the game you-re doing recovery and if you pull up a bit sore you-d rather not be squeezed into a seat on a plane,” Burns said.
“I think it has been the right thing to do, you stay and use the facilities, stay acclimatised and prepare right for the next game because it comes around so quickly.
“We all get on well and have been able to spend more time together as a group off the training pitch which isn-t always the case when you-re home and there are other distractions.”
Glory are preparing for a tough battle against the Fury who pushed Perth all the way in their previous encounter just three weeks ago to share the spoils at ME Bank Stadium.
“There is a massive incentive for us to get ourselves back to where we want but we-re not underestimating North Queensland, they-re a good side,” Burns said.
“They-ve been unlucky in some of their results and they showed when they came to our place that they-re full of fight. We-re going up there expecting another really tough match but we-re ready to weather that storm and are determined to get the three points.”
