In-form ‘keeper Danny Vukovic is confident that Perth Glory can use last week’s gutsy 2-1 win at Newcastle as a springboard to secure finals football.
In-form ‘keeper Danny Vukovic is confident that Perth Glory can use last week’s gutsy 2-1 win at Newcastle as a springboard to secure finals football.
The 27-year-old took out the man-of-the-match award at Hunter Stadium as the visitors made it three wins from four games to move within two points of the top six and he believes that the men in purple can maintain their impressive late-season surge by downing Wellington on Sunday.
“The positive for us is that we’ve put ourselves in a good position now,” he said.
“We’re two points off Newcastle with a game in hand, but we need to get maximum points from our remaining three games.
“Wellington is a team we believe we can beat, but we know it’s going to be a tough game and if we don’t turn up and perform to our potential, it’s going to be a battle for us.
“But we’re confident that if we set into practice what Alistair (Edwards) wants us to do, then we can get the three points.
“If we get a win on the weekend and a few results elsewhere go our way, we could be sitting fifth.
“The belief is there and we’re looking to make it three out of three on Sunday.”
Perth Glory’s fortunes have improved significantly since the appointment of new coach Alistair Edwards and Vukovic would be delighted to see the former Socceroo remain at the helm heading into next season and beyond.
“Anywhere in world football,’ he said, “when a new coach comes in, all the players are on a level playing field again and everyone’s trying to impress the new coach and it’s exactly the same here.
“It’s been a breath of fresh of air and I’d love to see Alistair take the job.
“He’s done an exceptional job so far with three wins from four, he’s got some great ideas and I feel as if I’m learning every training session.
“Alistair is all about his philosophy and the way he wants us to play and you can see that he truly believes in it.
“When you see someone so passionate about what they believe in, I guess it’s infectious and the boys have really taken it on board and tried to put it into practice.
“It was never going to happen overnight, it’s a work in progress, but as long as we’re improving every week, that’s all that matters.”
Assistant coach Gareth Naven, meanwhile, revealed that Steve Pantelidis is Glory’s only major injury (bruised heel) doubt ahead of Sunday’s crunch clash and that he expects the Kiwi visitors to provide a stern test at nib Stadium despite their own finals hopes effectively already being over.
“We’re in a good position in terms of the squad”, he said.
“Now it’s about picking the right people for the right job.
“Steve had a short training session yesterday and it’s a case of slowly, slowly with him.
“Our physio department will look at him and make their assessment this week.
“Phoenix were highly competitive against Wanderers last weekend and their coach will have them well organised, drilled and competitive, so as per normal, it’ll be a tough game.”
PERTH GLORY v WELLINGTON PHOENIX
Sunday, March 17
nib Stadium
Kick-off: 4pm
