Mariners defender Jack Clisby is excited for what he describes as a ‘huge’ game against Sydney FC at Central Coast Stadium on Saturday night.
The Sky Blues sit fourth on the A-League table, two spots behind the Mariners, and the two teams will meet for the second time this season, with Alen Stajcic’s side prevailing as 2-0 victors when they clashed at Kogarah in January.
A slow start in Launceston cost the Mariners last weekend against Western united and Clisby said it’s important that they enter Saturday’s match with the right frame of mind.
Saturday is going to be big! Don't miss it when we take on the Sky Blues at @CCStadium. #CCMFC #WontBackDown #CCMvSYD
Tickets ?? https://t.co/BQfUev48Vq pic.twitter.com/a3hd3Imoud
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) April 19, 2021
“I think it all comes down to mentality you know,” he said.
“We have had such a strong mentality this year and it has be no different this weekend. We need to come out all guns blazing, it’s going to be a huge game back in front of our home crowd so we are really looking forward to this game.”
“Obviously they are in good form at the moment and they are always going to be contenders so we are really looking forward to the game ahead.”
The importance of the game is not lost on Clisby or the squad, as the teams enter the business end of the season and the home stretch towards finals.
Three games in the space of eight days means two tight turnarounds in a row, and the fullback said every match now is so important as the team pushes for top spot.
“We are at the stage of the season where every game is important,” he said.
“Every game we play now until the end of the season is important to where we want to finish, and we are aiming for the top so every game we have to go out to win it. We have to give everything we’ve got and that will to be no different this weekend.”
It will be a welcome return home for the team whose last win came at Central Coast Stadium, against Adelaide, and with the match billed as an important game Clisby is hoping a big crowd will be present to get behind the team.
“Yeah, [playing at home] will be massive,” he said.
“We love playing in front of our home crowd and we notice as players, week by week it’s slowly sneaking up in numbers and we hear them when we are out there and it gives us the extra boost.”
“Especially late second half when we are pushing for that winner we can hear them backing us, so having our crowd behind us is massive.”
“We go into every game with confidence, and we know we can beat the best teams in the league.”
“We have done that this season so far, we have proven that and if we turn up on our day we can beat anyone.
“So yeah, we are really looking forward to this one, the boys will be up for it and it will be great to be back in front of our own crowd.”
