While the media spotlight has focused heavily on Brisbane Roar this week, Central Coast Mariners football manager Lawrie McKinna insists those distractions will count for little at Suncorp Stadium tomorrow night, and is expecting the home side to come out desperate to end the week on a high.
While the media spotlight has focused heavily on Brisbane Roar this week, Central Coast Mariners football manager Lawrie McKinna insists those distractions will count for little at Suncorp Stadium tomorrow night, and is expecting the home side to come out desperate to end the week on a high.
The Mariners are chasing their first win in four weeks, and McKinna says the last thing his side can do, is take Brisbane-s vulnerability for granted.
“Crisis sometimes makes things tighter and closer, and I-m sure whatever team they put on the park at the weekend will be up for the win,” said McKinna.
“They did alright against the Gold Coast last weekend, it was a scrappy goal they lost to, and I-m sure they-ll feel they can get a result against us, so we have to be on top of our game this weekend.”
The last visit to the stadium widely regarded as the benchmark in purpose built football stadia in this country ended in disappointment for the yellow and navy, a Craig Moore header after just 11 minutes proving the difference, a little over a month ago.
The Mariners will be looking to not only avenge that result, but also a poor record at Suncorp, which has seem McKinna-s men record just two victories in four seasons.
“We were disappointed with our performance when we were up there last time, so we-ve got a point to prove to ourselves as well, that we can go to Suncorp, get a result, and play some good football,” said McKinna.
It is likely to be a very different Roar lineup this time however, while Moore returns from a week with the Qantas Socceroos, goalkeeper Liam Reddy will miss through injury while imposing Scottish striker Charlie Miller is suspended.
The Mariners are coming off a 1-all draw with Hyundai A-League newcomer North Queensland, Daniel McBreen-s second half header, cancelling out Matt Simon-s opener inside the first 14 seconds.
McKinna hopes his side can learn from the mistakes that may have cost maximum points against the Fury.
“We have to be confident. We were disappointed with how we finished the game at the weekend, and we feel as though we need to gain points up there that we lost at the weekend.
“There-s nothing better than three points away from home, you always want at least a draw away from home but if we can get a win up there, it balances the two games out,” said McKinna.
The Central Coast was missing two key creative outlets at Bluetongue Stadium last Sunday afternoon, with Michael McGlinchey and John Hutchinson both on international duty, for New Zealand and Malta respectively.
“We-re getting there, but we still need to get better. Obviously we-ve got Hutch and McGlinchey back available this weekend. Michael creates a lot more chances the way he plays, and he-ll be a good addition to the team, but it keeps coming back to ball retention, we just need to do that a wee bit better. So if we do that, keep the ball, hopefully we-ll create a few more chances.
“Hutch flies in tonight, so whether he starts or be on the bench I-m not sure, but Michael has trained this week and he should be 100% for the game,” said McKinna.
Those two inclusions could well be the only changes to last week-s eleven, and with no serious injuries, McKinna has the luxury of a full strength squad at his disposal.
“There won-t be a lot of changes, we did a lot of good things, but we also did a few things poorly. There won-t be wholesale changes, it will be like-for-like, and we-ll try to get a bit of stability in there and build on it,” said McKinna.
Mariners- striker Dylan Macallister is in line to play his 100th match at National League level after previous stints with Sydney Olympic and Northern Spirit.
*Head-to-Head: Played 15: Brisbane Roar wins 7, Central Coast Mariners wins 2 (6 draws)
Brisbane Roar squad: 2. Andrew PACKER, 3. Luke DEVERE, 4. Craig MOORE, 5. Josh McCLOUGHAN, 6. David DODD, 9. Sergio VAN DIJK, 11. REINALDO, 12. Matt MUNDY, 14. Adam SAROTA, 15. Matt McKAY, 16. Bob MALCOLM, 17. Mitch NICHOLS, 18. Danny TIATTO, 19. Isaka CERNAK, 20. Griffin McMASTER (gk), 21. Tommy OAR, 23. Tim SMITS, 27. Ivan FRANJIC, 29 Mario KARLOVIC
*four to be omitted, goalkeeper to be included*
In: Craig MOORE (returns from international duty), Danny TIATTO (returns from suspension), David DODD (returns from suspension), Tim SMITS (promoted), Andrew PACKER (promoted)
Out: Liam REDDY (injured – 6 weeks)
Unavailable: Michael ZULLO (groin – 1 week), Massimo MURDOCCA (fractured leg – 8 weeks), Charlie MILLER (suspended – 1 week), HENRIQUE (injured – 6 weeks)
Central Coast Mariners squad: 1. Andrew REDMAYNE (gk), 2. Matthew CROWELL, 4. Pedj BOJIC, 5. Brad PORTER, 6. David D’APUZZO, 7. John HUTCHINSON, 8. Dean HEFFERNAN, 11. Dylan MACALLISTER, 14. Michael McGLINCHEY, 15. Andrew CLARK, 16. Nigel BOOGAARD, 17. Chris DOIG, 18. Alex WILKINSON (c), 19. Matt SIMON, 20. Danny VUKOVIC (gk), 22. Nicky TRAVIS, 23. Adam KWASNIK.
*two to be omitted*
In: Michael McGLINCHEY (return from international duty), John HUTCHINSON (return from international duty)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Nil
Referee: Peter Green
The Mariners take on Adelaide United on Saturday, 31 October at Canberra Stadium. Kick-off is at 7:00pm. Tickets are available online here or by phoning 132 849.
Mariners Memberships for the Hyundai A-League 2009/10 season are now on sale by clicking here.
