Perth will be on the attack against Central Coast on New Year’s Eve with the Glory’s finals hopes hinging on a win against the Mariners.
Perth will be on the attack against Central Coast on New Year’s Eve with the Glory-s finals hopes hinging on a win against the Mariners.
Glory are six points behind the fourth-placed Central Coast and anything less than a win will leave a mountain to climb with just four matches remaining.
Dutch international Victor Sikora, who made his first appearance for Perth last weekend as a second half substitute, will be given an opportunity from the opening whistle this weekend as Glory look to widen their attacking options.
“It’s a big game obviously and probably our last roll of the dice. If we don-t win our finals hopes would be over. It has made it difficult with Queensland winning and that has taken it that little bit further away but there’s still a chance, albeit a very slim one,” Mitchell said.
“I’d rather lose 1-0 than draw 0-0 as it’s a game we need to try to win so we will be attacking it. Srhoj is out for sure and Coyne is fit and will slot back in there. There are a few other permutations I might be looking at changing, but at the moment I’m still thinking about it.”
Last time Perth line-up against Central Coast it appeared the West Aussies had done enough to secure a win before a late Sasho Petrovski strike earned a 2-2 draw. The Mariners have made a habit of striking late in matches and Mitchell said his side will have to be on their toes throughout.
“It’s a situation where the Mariners are doing well, are a formidable force and they never give up. We saw that when we played them at home and they scored in the last minute, so it will be a tough challenge. It will be an open game and we have to go there to try to win the game,” he said.
“Hopefully we do that and stay in the playoff race. They are a big physical side but play good football as well and never say die. You can’t take it easily against them for sure. We just have to go there with a positive attitude to try to get the result.”
After looking lively in limited game time on the left wing in Friday’s loss to Adelaide, Sikora will start on Wednesday but Mitchell isn-t sure where just yet.
“The good thing is that he can play in three or four different positions. He came on at wide left, but he can also play up front, wide right or in the midfield,” he said.
“I will have a chat to him in the next day or two when we are travelling and find out where he feels more comfortable. (Nick) Rizzo did very well and I took him off to put Victor there. Victor might start there again because Rizzo can also play in a few different positions.”
