Perth Glory coach Ian Ferguson has revealed that he is one member of the Glory camp who won’t be using the pain of last season’s Grand Final defeat as motivation ahead of Friday’s night’s re-match with Brisbane Roar.
Perth Glory coach Ian Ferguson has revealed that he is one member of the Glory camp who won’t be using the pain of last season’s Grand Final defeat as motivation ahead of Friday’s night’s re-match with Brisbane Roar.
“Everybody’s different,” he said.
“I know what drove and motivated me as a player and it wasn’t always the same as my team-mates.
“There are players that will take the Grand Final in and use that as motivation and there are those who will do things in a different way to get up for the game.
“For me personally, I want it over with.
“What motivates me is going up against a top quality side and getting a result.
“We’ve found it difficult against Brisbane over the last couple of seasons to get good results, but we set good foundations with our win over them at Patersons Stadium in the first game of the season.
“Now we want to go on and show that we’re not scared of them, that we can go up there and get a good result.
“That’s what motivates me and hopefully that belief that we can go out there and beat the likes of Roar will rub off on the players.”
The Queenslanders are of course currently languishing just one point off the foot of the ladder, a position that prompted the club’s owners to replace coach Rado Vidosic with Mike Mulvey earlier this week.
But Ferguson is still expecting another tough battle at Suncorp.
“When you watch their games,” he said, “they are still dominating teams, dominating possession and creating chances.
“There have been games that I’ve watched where they’ve lost when they really should have won.
“They are still a very good side and a very dangerous side.
“Like most teams in the A-League, they’ll click sooner or later and I just hope it’s not against us.
“And like us, Brisbane have got a target on their backs.
“Everyone wants to beat them and us because we were the two sides that reached the Grand Final last season and that represents a mental and physical challenge for our players and for theirs.”
The men in purple will make the cross-country trek in buoyant mood following their comprehensive 3-0 victory over Newcastle, a result and a performance from which Ferguson drew plenty of positives.
“I was pleased with the energy levels last week,” he said.
“I thought we closed them down well and made sure they didn’t play the way they played the last time they came here.
“They controlled the game for long periods in the second-half on that occasion, but this game was totally different.
“The boys took control which I was really pleased with.
“I thought we created a lot of good opportunities again and to get three goals was pleasing as well.
“Getting those three points was vital in kicking us on into this important festive period.”
The Glory coach was especially pleased to see Shane Smeltz back among the goals against the Jets and also praised Steven McGarry for his performance in a more advanced position just behind the Kiwi frontman.
“I think Shane is getting fitter,” he said, “and it’s going to take a little bit of time, but the pleasing thing is that he’s getting on the end of things and he has that knack of finding that bit of space.
“He had five good chances against the Jets and even though he only took one of them, the penalty, he’s always got goals in him.
“As for McGarry, technically he’s a decent player and he can see a pass, but it’s not just that.
“His work rate off the ball is great and he did a lot of good things last week.”
BRISBANE ROAR v PERTH GLORY
Friday, December 21
Venue: Suncorp Stadium
Kick-off: 6pm (Perth time)
Referee: Peter Green
Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 1HD
ABC Radio Coverage – Grandstand Digital and Online
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #ROARvPG
Brisbane Roar Squad: 1. Michael Theo (GK), 2. Matt Smith (capt), 3. Shane Stefanutto, 4. Matt Jurman, 5. Ivan Franjic, 6. Erik Paartalu, 7. Besart Berisha, 8. Massimo Murdocca, 10.Henrique, 11.Ben Halloran, 13. Yuji Takahashi, 15. James Donachie, 17. Mitch Nichols, 19. Jack Hingert, 20. Matt Acton (GK), 21. James Meyer, 22. Thomas Broich, 24. Nick Fitzgerald. *three to be omitted*
Ins: Nick Fitzgerald (promoted), James Donachie (returns from injury), James Meyer (promoted)
Outs:Do Dong-Hyun (knee – 2-3 weeks)
Perth Glory Squad:1.Danny Vukovic (gk), 3.Bas van den Brink, 4.Billy Mehmet, 6.Nick Ward, 7.Jacob Burns (c), 8.Dean Heffernan 9.Shane Smeltz, 10.Liam Miller, 12.Ryo Nagai, 13.Travis Dodd, 14.Steven McGarry, 17.Chris Harold, 19.Josh Risdon, 21.Scott Jamieson, 23.Michael Thwaite, 30 Lewis Italiano (gk)
*One to be omitted
Ins:12.Ryo Nagai (returns from injury)
Unavailable:Evan Berger (hamstring – indefinite)
