Mark Bridge of the Wanderers reacts after a missed shot at goal during the round 20 A-League match between the Western Sydney Wanderers and the Newcastle Jets at Campbelltown Sports Stadium. Source: Getty Images
HE'S scored twice in winning grand finals but Mark Bridge believes he's never been happier as a footballer, after his eighth goal of the season propelled the Wanderers into second place on the A-League table.
Saturday's 2-1 win over Newcastle pushed the Wanderers to just four points behind leaders Central Coast, with a mouthwatering encounter against third-placed Melbourne Victory to come this Saturday.
Bridge's stylish solo goal was the difference against the Jets, and Wanderers chairman Lyall Gorman said the striker-turned-winger would be one of several players to begin contract talks with the club in the next fortnight.
"Mark told me after the game that he's never been happier playing football, and you can see that he's never been fitter and is in splendid form," Gorman said. "He's purely concentrated on where this season is taking us, but we will be looking to start talking to a number of players including Mark shortly."
Bridge's goals have come during a season where he has largely played on the left wing, and coach Tony Popovic said it was testament to the style of the Wanderers' football.
"He's adapted very well," Popovic said of Bridge. "I think early on in the year you could see the amount of chances he was getting and the amount of chances we were creating, he just wasn't scoring. For us, he's a winger, he's not a midfielder and if he was playing deep he wouldn't have the amount of chances he does.
"It's the same with Youssouf (Hersi). They've got chances every game and good chances, not half chances, and we're becoming more clinical in the final third."
Though Popovic said he wouldn't implement major changes to combat Victory, the fact that Archie Thompson is out with a hamstring injury is more good news for the Wanderers.
Mariners coach Graham Arnold embraces versatile attacker Michael McGlinchey. Source: Getty Images
Meanwhile, Central Coast Mariners have received a major boost with the re-signing of versatile attacker Michael McGlinchey, in the face of interest from several other clubs.
McGlinchey, who has the ability to play out wide or as the team's creative No.10, yesterday signed a new two-year deal.
"It has been going on for a while now and I am just happy to have reached an agreement so that I can stay another two years with the Mariners," McGlinchey said
"I think there is good stability at the club, and playing under Arnie (Graham Arnold) is a big factor for me. I've played some of my best stuff under him and I think it is beneficial for me to continue developing here.
"I came out in 2009 and I think as the years have gone on, I've performed better. This is down to the way I have been coached, and I still have a lot of learning to do. For me, the Mariners feel like the best place for me to keep learning."
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