Flying winger Chris Harold is hopeful a massive week in front of their home fans will act as a catalyst to kick-start a bumper Hyundai A-League season for Perth Glory.
On Sunday, Glory host Wellington Phoenix in their first home match of the new season, the first of three games in seven days at nib Stadium.
They also welcome Adelaide United to Perth in Round 3, with a blockbuster Westfield FFA Cup semi-final against Melbourne City sandwiched in between in October 21.
After a disappointing 3-2 loss away to Central Coast on Saturday, Harold hopes the comforts of home will bring about a reversal in fortunes.
“If we get a couple of good results, get ourselves in the [FFA] Cup final, it’s going to be a drastically different outlook come the end of next week,” Harold told reporters on Tuesday.
“Everyone will be really buzzing and positive. Everyone’s excited to get out and get results. It’s always a tough trip playing away from home the first game of the season.
“But we’ve got three games next week all at home and it’s a really good chance for us to make a big stamp. I think the whole team is excited to play in front of our home crowd.”
While Glory are hoping to make a statement over the next seven days, Harold is hoping to do similar on a personal basis.
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Over the last couple of seasons the 23-year-old hasn’t been able to cement himself as a regular starter.
“It’s probably about time I stepped up and cemented myself in the starting XI every week,” Harold admitted.
“I want to be creating and scoring more goals…I think I have the capability to do that.
“This week, three games in quick succession is a good chance for me to get my name out there and prove to everyone that I’ve got the ability to do it.”
With searing speed and ability to play in a good cross, Harold undoubtedly has the tools to be a weapon for Kenny Lowe’s side.
He made an encouraging start against the Mariners on Saturday, setting up Richard Garcia’s goal.
But it was another tale of woe in Gosford for Glory, whose record is now just one win from 17 matches on the Central Coast since the inception of the Hyundai A-League.
“I don’t think we played poorly at all and offensively we created plenty of chances,” Harold said.
“If we don’t have that goal disallowed in the first two minutes it’s a completely different game.
“I think our new players did really well. [Diego] Castro showed the technical quality he’s got. Gyorgy’s [Sandor] a big engine in midfield.
“The more they train and play with us, the more cohesive we’ll be. They are going to get fitter, adapt to the Australian conditions that are drastically different to what they have played before.
“Gui [Fernandez] is a big unit but he’s also quite mobile as well so I think he’s going to be a huge asset. I like to get in behind and get crosses in for him and Garcia.
“With guys like Nebo [Marinkovic] and Castro in behind us they’re the kind of players we want feeding us in behind and I think we’ll cause teams problems.”
