Central Coast Mariners skipper, Nick Montgomery thanked the passionate supporter base that flocked to Central Coast Stadium on New Year’s Eve and is hoping for a similar reception on Sunday.
In front of a boisterous 11 000 supporters on Gosford’s waterfront, the Mariners were just minutes from securing a come from behind win over Melbourne City and Montgomery credited the fans for their support.
“We’re at home again this week, we’re hoping for a good crowd and if they can be anything like they were on New Year’s Eve it will give us a real buzz, it was a fantastic atmosphere and the only thing missing was three points,” Montgomery said.
Our visitors this Sunday are Sydney FC will be without captain Alex Brosque through suspension and centre back Matt Jurman who was yesterday released to complete a move overseas.
Montgomery says that it won’t impact either side’s preparation and highlighted the depth of Sydney’s squad with the likes of his former Sheffield United teammate, David Carney trying to break into Arnold’s starting 11.
“Brosquey is a good player and a great captain,” Montgomery said. “But when you’ve got people on your bench like David Carney it just shows you the strength of Sydney FC with plenty of options so losing Brosque and Jurman won’t change anything at all.
“’Carnes’ and I spent some time together at Sheffield United under Bryan Robson, he’s got a great left foot which we’ve seen in the A-League over the last few years and I’m sure he’ll be knocking on Graham Arnold’s door for a start.
“As soon as we cross the line though, he becomes an enemy so there’ll be no love lost between us this Sunday,” Montgomery said.
Despite taking a point from Melbourne City, Montgomery couldn’t help but feel disappointed to have not taken all three but admitted there were plenty of positives to take from the match.
“We were unfortunate not to get the three points against Melbourne City,” Montgomery said. “It’s just them key moments of decision making, we gave away a penalty in 90th minute. It would have been nice to take the three points we thoroughly deserved but we can take plenty positives from it.
“Everybody knows the gulf in financial terms from our squad to a Melbourne City or a Sydney FC but it’s great for the A-League that clubs like that can spend big money and bring in big names who have played in foreign leagues around the world.
“I say it week in week out, if we can cut out those mistakes and make the right decisions in them key moments we can beat any time in the league.
“We’re coming into a new year now, the boys from last season are more experienced so we’re just working on cutting out those lapses as a team,” Montgomery said.
With the January transfer window opening today, Nick Montgomery also mentioned that he is confident of confirming his Australian citizenship before the end of the month which would free up a Visa spot for Okon’s squad.
“We’re very hopeful that I will make the Australia Day ceremony on the 26th of January so if that happens it will open up a Visa spot,” Montgomery said. “It’s good for Paul Okon and the club but if we don’t bring anyone in we will stick with the squad we’ve got and these young boys will keep getting a chance to prove themselves week in week out,” Montgomery said.
Match Details
Hyundai A-League 2016/17 – Round 14
Sunday 8 January 2017
Central Coast Mariners vs. Sydney FC
Venue: Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
Tickets: CLICK HERE
kick-off: 5:00pm (AEDT)
Official hash-tags: #CCMvSYD & #CCMFC
TV Broadcast: Fox Sports 505
Radio Broadcast: 96.3 Coast FM
