Perth Glory coach Dave Mitchell will tell his players to inflict an attacking brand of football on Gold Coast United when the two sides clash on Sunday at Skilled Park.
Perth Glory coach Dave Mitchell will tell his players to inflict an attacking brand of football on Gold Coast United when the two sides clash on Sunday at Skilled Park.
While Mitchell is mindful of United-s goal scoring prowess and the need to vigilant in defence, the West Australian-s won-t be sitting back and inviting the home side to take pot shots on goal.
Gold Coast leads the league in scoring with 17 this season while Perth-s just two goals in arrears with 15 hitting the back of the net. The defences are evenly poised with both sides conceded 11 goals in the opening 10 rounds.
“There is no point sitting back. Gold Coast have found some form again and will be determined to stake a claim on their home turf,” Mitchell said.
“We think we-re as good as them and will go there with a mindset of having a go at them in an attacking and goal scoring sense.
“We want to take the game to them, and I-m sure they-ll be thinking they can take the game to us, so it should make for an interesting and entertaining encounter.”
Jamie Coyne is expected to join brother Chris in the heart of defence with young gun Scott Neville taking up the role at right-back. Mitchell does however have a few alternatives in reshaping his side.
Jamie Coyne is expected to join brother Chris in the heart of defence with young gun Scott Neville taking up the role at right-back. Mitchell though does have a few options in which he can reshape his side.
“The boys that came in last week performed well and it-s given me a bit of a selection problem, so from that point of view it-s good.
“Obviously Toddy missing is a loss for us but we-ve got other players that will be able to step in and stand up to the plate.
“No matter who is on the pitch, they-ll be there with the intention of winning the game.”
Perth has dispelled any notion they-re vulnerable on the road with two impressive wins last time they jetted east and are determined to claim all three points following a slip that let Gold Coast secure a late equaliser in their previous meeting in round six.
“We came back with 6 points from our last two game on the road which was fantastic and I-ll be delighted if we can do the same again this time around,” Mitchell said.
“Gold Coast is a formidable team and being at home they-ll want to come and get us, I can assure you that we-ll be doing the same.
“Going over there holds no fear for us and we feel that we can get something out of the game.”
Added incentive for both Perth and Gold Coast will be the chance to take top spot should current league leaders Sydney lose their Friday night clash against Adelaide.
Hyundai A-League 2009/10 – Rd 11
Gold Coast United v Perth Glory
Sunday, 18 October 2009 at Skilled Park, Gold Coast
Kick-off: 2.00pm (AWST)
Referee: Matthew Breeze
Club radio broadcast partner 6PR 882AM – www.6pr.com.au – click here to listen.
Gold Coast United Squad: 1.Jess VANSTRATTAN (gk), 2.Steve PANTELIDIS, 3.Michael THWAITE, 5.ROBSON, 7.Zenon CARAVELLA, 9.Shane SMELTZ, 10.Jason CULINA (c), 11.MILSON, 13.Bas VAN DEN BRINK, 14.Joel PORTER, 15.Tahj MINNIECON, 16.Kristian REES, 23.Steve FITZSIMMONS, 24.ANDERSON, 26.Golgol MEBRAHTU (yth), 27.Mark BYRNES, 20.Scott HIGGINS (gk)
*two to be omitted*
In: Shane SMELTZ (return from international duty), Jason CULINA (return from international duty), Mark BYRNES (promoted)
Out: Adama TRAORE (knee injury – 8 weeks)
Unavailable: JEFFERSON (knee injury – 2 weeks), 4.Daniel PIORKOWSKI (ankle injury – 7 weeks), 21.Richard GREER (groin injury – 4 weeks)
Perth Glory Squad: 1.Tando VELAPHI (gk), 3.Jamie COYNE, 6.Chris COYNE, 7.Jacob BURNS (c), 8.Victor SIKORA, 10.Wayne SRHOJ, 11.Branko JELIC, 12.Scott NEVILLE, 13.Scott BULLOCH, 14.Eugene DADI, 16.Adriano PELLEGRINO, 17.Todd HOWARTH, 19.Naum SEKULOVSKI, 20.Aleks VRTESKI (gk), 21.Mile STERJOVSKI, 23.Andrija JUKIC
*one to be omitted
In: Jacob BURNS (return from suspension), Scott BULLOCH (promoted)
Out: Andy TODD (suspended – 2 weeks)
Unavailable: Jimmy DOWNEY (knee – 3 weeks), Jamie HARNWELL (knee – 6 weeks), Anthony SKORICH (foot – 1 week)
*Head-to-Head: Played 1: Gold Coast United wins 0, Perth Glory wins 0 (1 draw)
