Perth Glory coach Ian Ferguson is adamant his team’s on the right track and has called on the players to put a difficult week behind them and focus their energies on knocking off league leader Central Coast on Friday night.
Perth Glory coach Ian Ferguson is adamant his team’s on the right track and has called on the players to put a difficult week behind them and focus their energies on knocking off league leader Central Coast on Friday night.
The Glory have been under the spotlight since their 2-1 loss to Melbourne Heart saw them drop to eighth on the Hyundai A-League table last weekend.
The loss disappointed some fans, who turned on owner Tony Sage as they vented their spleen at the mining magnate, while also targeting coach Ian Ferguson.
“It’s got to be business as usual,” declared Ferguson on Thursday. “We can’t be distracted over what’s been said.”
“It’s been a sad week for the club that the coach gets booed, players get booed and the chairman gets abused, which is unacceptable.”
“He’s a man that’s put his money where his mouth is and kept this club financially viable for the past five years, so that was a bit sad.”
“But we’ve got to get on with it and look forward to the Mariners game.”
A forthright Ferguson also had a message for fans, saying that if they cannot support the team, then vent their anger at himself.
“Nobody likes to hear your name being chanted to get out the door,” declared Ferguson.
“(But) I believe we’re doing the right thing. We are going forward. I believe there’s been a lot of great things put in place. But the fans don’t see that, they’re more interested in results, and that’s what we need to do.”
“I’d ask the fans to stick with us. It’s very hard for the players when they hear that sort of thing, you know booing and shouting ‘Fergie out’.”
“And we are only two points outside of the top six.”
“There’s a lot of football to be played, a lot of ups and downs. It’s early doors yet to vent that sort of frustrations.”
“We’ve been unlucky a few times. I can’t keep using that as an excuse, but I really do believe I’m in the right direction. The boys have given us anything. I can’t fault them.”
“(So) I’d ask them to support the team.”
“I don’t like hearing chants with my name but if they want to vent their anger, then please vent it at me and not the team.”
With Jacob Burns suspended for the game, defender Bas van den Brink will wear the captains armband.
Defender Todd Howarth is in doubt for the game with a groin injury.
Perth Glory v Central Coast Mariners
Friday, 23 December
Venue: nib Stadium
Kick Off: 7pm (Perth time)
Referee: Matt Gillett
TV Broadcast: Fox Sports 1
Radio broadcaster: SportFM 91.3 / Coast FM 96.3
Perth Glory Squad: 1.Danny Vukovic (Gk), 2.Josh Mitchell, 3.Bas Van Den Brink (c), 4.Billy Mehmet, 5.Steve Pantelidis, 8.Adam Hughes, 9.Shane Smeltz, 10.Liam Miller, 13.Travis Dodd 14.Steven Mcgarry 15.Tommy Amphlett, 17.Todd Howarth, 18. Jesse Makarounas, 19, Josh Risdon, 21.Mile Sterjovski, 22.Adam Taggart 25. Trent Mcclenahan, 30. Lewis Italiano (Gk)
*three to be omitted*
In: 8.Adam Hughes, 18. Jesse Makarounas, 19, Josh Risdon, 22.Adam Taggart
Out: 7.Jacob Burns (Suspended 1 Game)
Unavailable: 6.Chris Coyne (Achilles – 3 Months), 11.Victor Sikora (Hip – Long Term Injury List), 12.Scott Neville (Knee), 20.Neil Young (Abdominal), 27.Andrezinho (Hamstring 3-4 Weeks)
Central Coast Mariners Squad: 1.Mathew Ryan (gk), 2.Daniel McBreen, 3.Joshua Rose, 4.Pedj Bojic, 6.Patrick Zwaanswijk, 7.John Hutchinson, 8.Rostyn Griffiths, 9.Bernie Ibini, 11.Oliver Bozanic, 12.Troy Hearfield, 14.Michael McGlinchey, 16.Trent Sainsbury, 18.Alex Wilkinson (c), 19.Matt Simon, 20.Justin Pasfield (gk), 22.Mustafa Amini
*two to be omitted*
In: 16.Trent Sainsbury (Promoted)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Nil
