Gold Coast United Mr-Fix-It Michael Thwaite has sounded a warning to Central Coast by declaring that his team is still on the rise ahead of Saturday’s fixture at Bluetongue Stadium.
In the battle of the beaches United will look to forge further ahead of the pack, while a win for the Mariners could see them land in second place on the Hyundai A-League ladder.
Thwaite – who has played almost everywhere but striker and keeper in ’09 – believes United has enough tricks to further apply its dominance.
“Of course the Mariners will want to come after us, but I think we can take advantage of them even at their home ground,” Thwaite said.
“Amongst the playing group we believe there is at least 30 percent more improvement in us.”
“Against the Mariners we will be looking for nothing but the three points.”
In all their confidence and brilliance, United has struggled to find consistency as a unit over the first six weeks with niggling injuries and representative duties a continual disruption.
Thwaite, defensive Dutchman Bas Van Den Brink and super striker Shane Smeltz are the only players to have started every match for the new club.
As the revolving door continues to spin – Robson and Daniel Piorkowski are out injured while Tahj Minniecon is on tour with the Qantas Young Socceroos – Thwaite only sees opportunities.
“Whoever gets a chance will do the job, we don’t even think twice about it because we know that whoever gets a run will get the job done,” he said.
With United struggling against Glory it was Anderson who was thrust into the match and quickly began pulling the strings that led a two-goal comeback.
“Anderson has composure that this league hasn’t seen yet,” Thwaite said.
“He came on in the second half against Perth and changed the game.”
“He always wants the ball at his feet and like Jason (Culina) he dictates the play.”
It remains unseen how Miron Bleiberg will utilise his glut of talent against the Mariners but United will need to be at its attacking best to take the points from a team which has conceded just one goal on its home-turf thus far.
