Perth Glory coach Dave Mitchell isn’t expecting the Melbourne Victory to target Andy Todd when the defender returns from suspension for Sunday’s clash between the two sides.
The veteran former Blackburn Rovers captain has served a two-match ban for clashing with Adelaide’s Scott Jamieson during Perth’s Round 10 win over the Reds.
However Mitchell doesn’t believe the Victory will try harassing Todd this weekend in an effort to tempt him into challenges that could lead to his dismissal.
“We’ve got Todd back now, so that’s a bonus and strengthens our team somewhat considerably,” Mitchell said on Friday before training.
“(But), no (they won’t target him), not at all.”
“I think it was just the situation where a couple of things happened within that game and … it sort of just got worse.”
“Certainly Melbourne are a good professional team (and) they’re competitive for sure.”
“So it’s a good task for us to go out there and knock them off (however they play).”
Mitchell acknowledged Todd’s presence in the back four would add some much-needed experience to a defensive line that was exposed somewhat over the last two rounds as the Glory lost to Gold Coast United and North Queensland respectively.
The coach said the defence had made mistakes that allowed Shane Smeltz to score the winner for United, while two goals in seven minutes from the Fury, including one from a quickly-taken Robbie Fowler free kick, proved particularly costly.
Mitchell is more than aware many of the goals his side’s conceded this term have come from opposition set pieces, with the coach acknowledging the Glory could be in for a tough afternoon if Victory dead-ball specialist Carlos Hernandez was given a chance to shoot from range.
But he felt Melbourne was in a similar boat.
“I think that’s probably a bit of a weakness that Melbourne has got, set pieces,” Mitchell said.
“They’ve conceded quite a few goals from set pieces as well so it’s something we’re definitely looking at.”
“Hernandez and Thompson up front can score more goals than most other teams.”
“But they’re also capable of letting in quite a few as well, so we’ll try and exploit that.”
