To say this season has whizzed by would be an understatement.
IT-S hard to believe tomorrow night marks the final home game of the regular season when Adelaide United visit Bluetongue Stadium for the penultimate game of the 2011/12 Hyundai A-League.
To say this season has whizzed by would be an understatement.
It-s even harder to believe that this time last week we were in transit between Tianjin and Perth having gained a valuable away draw in China for our first Asian Champions League match.
That was followed up by a 1-0 loss to Perth at a sweltering nib Stadium last Sunday.
I actually walked away from last weekend-s game with an increased appreciation for our players given their effort in scorching 40C temperatures having traversed China in the lead-up.
Yes we have played better football but the effort was absolutely first class and having come so close to toppling Perth – we ran right over the top of them physically in the last 20 minutes – coupled with a fantastic performance away in Tianjin has given us plenty of confidence heading into tomorrow-s clash with Adelaide United.
John Kosmina-s men have found some form of late with a first up ACL win away in Uzbekistan followed by a gritty away draw with Brisbane Roar last weekend.
We will need to be on our game tomorrow night if we are to get maximum points but I-m delighted to say the players looked fresh and sharp on the training pitch this week.
Having travelled back from Perth all day Monday, the boys were given Tuesday off to recover and came back to work on Wednesday with a steely resolve in their eyes.
This is the stage of the season that every professional footballer and coach wants to be involved in. Every game matters, the stakes are high, the intensity lifts a notch and the small detail becomes crucial.
They are things that you can-t just switch on though – you have to have been doing them right throughout the season to set a solid foundation from which to mount your challenge at this stage of the campaign.
It-s a big reason why coach Graham Arnold and the staff has never taken our foot off the pedal at any stage this season even when things were sailing along so smoothly.
We are in great shape physically, mentally and tactically for the run ahead and it all starts with tomorrow night-s blockbuster against Adelaide United at Bluetongue Stadium. KO is 5.30pm.
