Coach Graham Arnold drew on all of his experience at club and international level following last Sunday night’s 1-0 loss to Melbourne Heart to use his post match speech in the sheds to remind the players of where they are at.
THE intensity at training this week has been outstanding.
The belief on the ball and in each other has gone to another level.
It augurs well for tomorrow night-s Bluetongue Stadium clash against Sydney FC.
Coach Graham Arnold drew on all of his experience at club and international level following last Sunday night-s 1-0 loss to Melbourne Heart to use his post match speech in the sheds to remind the players of where they are at.
And that is a damn good place!
If anyone had offered the Mariners a 3-point lead at the top of the table with four rounds remaining when the season kicked off you bet your bottom dollar we would have snapped their arm off and taken it!
All that on the back of just three losses in 18-odd games.
It-s not that anyone has taken their foot off the pedal in recent weeks it-s just that we have to work even harder on the training pitch to ensure the extra 20% that other teams put in when they play the competition leaders is compensated for in our own performance.
To that end, this week has been very refreshing! “Arnie” has asked for more from all of us – his players and his staff. Everyone has given it.
The performance against Melbourne Heart was a good performance but for our final execution in the top third. The last pass, the cross, the decision, the finish. It-s a funny old game football. The last time we went there against the Heart we came away with a win following a poor performance. This time it was a loss after a good performance.
The confidence is there, the belief is there, the fitness and tactical components that make a successful side are all there too.
I have seen the players pull together this week and it-s a fair bet that the fantastic preparation work the players have put in this week will translate on to the pitch tomorrow night.
Strap yourself in and enjoy the ride during the latest instalment of the Mariners-Sydney derby! Kick-off is at 7.45pm at Bluetongue Stadium.
