'The only pressure we have is the pressure we put on ourselves,' says Mariners coach Graham Arnold. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun
CENTRAL Coast can hear the loud footsteps as Melbourne Victory and Western Sydney Wanderers ramp up their challenges to overtake the Mariners at the top of the A-League table and grab an automatic spot in next season's Asian Champions League.
But if Mariners coach Graham Arnold is worried, he wasn't showing it yesterday as he put his team through its final preparation for tonight's match against struggling Wellington Phoenix at Bluetongue Stadium.
A win will help the Gosford-based club extend its lead to six points with seven rounds left and put the pressure back on its nearest rivals, Victory and the Wanderers, who play Adelaide United (away) and Newcastle Jets (home) respectively this weekend.
A loss, however, will turn the blowtorch back on Arnold's men, with the doubters sure to revive memories of the Mariners' slump last season. They opened up a sizeable break on Brisbane Roar but fell into a bit of a slump before recovering to hold off the Roar and capture the Premier's Plate (first past the post) by two points.
"I think the boys are embracing the fact we are top of the competition," Arnold said.
"It's much better than being bottom or fighting for a spot in the six.
"We have an exciting two months ahead of us with the A-League and the start of the ACL and everyone is in great spirits.
"No, we are not concerned about anything. The only pressure we have is the pressure we put on ourselves. We have our destiny in our own hands."
Arnold said the Mariners were a better side than last season. "We have greater depth and the young guys are really stepping up as well. The thing is, we are also mentally tougher.
"We have been in that position where the pressure has been put on and the boys know what it is like to be chased.
"I've challenged the boys to get to 50 points ... if we get over 50, we will be close to being the champions."
Arnold is expecting a tough battle with Wellington, but is not worried that this could be a potential banana skin game for his team.
The Kiwis are bottom of the table and know a loss will all but end their finals hopes.
"They are a tough outfit," Arnold said.
"We did well to go over there twice this season and get a win and a draw.
"But we are at home and we have a fantastic record here this season with seven wins and a draw."
The Mariners will welcome back right-back Pedj Bojic from injury and influential midfielder Nick Montgomery from suspension but have lost midfielder Oliver Bozanic with a shoulder injury.
Sydney FC defender Rhyan Grant has been rewarded for a quality season by winning a nomination for the NAB Young Footballer of the Year Award.
The underrated Grant was voted the most outstanding under-21 player in the A-League for last month after a string of fine performances, highlighted by his last-minute winner against Melbourne Heart at Allianz Stadium.
The 21-year-old is one of the most versatile players in the national competition, having played at right- and left-back, central defence and in midfield.
"I've been happy with the way I have been playing and I'm really enjoying playing under Frank Farina," Grant said.
"To be nominated for this award is fantastic.
"As a team, we have started to play better and believe in ourselves and that has rubbed off on me personally.
"I've started to feel more comfortable in the first team this season after realising I was no longer one of the young players. I'm still only 21 but I've been in the first-team squad for a few years now and I knew it was time to step up."
Grant joins Marco Rojas (Victory) and Craig Goodwin (Jets) as nominees.
No comments:
Post a Comment