Central Coast coach Graham Arnold hopes the former Perth players now at his disposal will share some of Glory’s secrets before the two meet on Sunday.
Central Coast coach Graham Arnold hopes the former Perth players now at his disposal will share some of Glory’s secrets ahead of the Hyundai A-League clash between the teams on Sunday.
Mile Sterjovski, Adriano Pellegrino and Brent Griffiths all played under Ian Ferguson out west, while Daniel McBreen knows the Scot from his time at the North Queensland Fury.
Arnold, whose team lost to Glory in the preliminary final last season, said the former Perth men would be eager to do well against their previous club.
“Obviously the motivation will be there for the individual,” he said.
“Mile Sterjovski’s come from Perth, McBreen, Pellegrino. We’ve got a few boys that played for Perth and they know what Perth are all about and the style of Ian Ferguson.
“They can give us some good inside information.”
With Michael McGlinchey away with New Zealand on international duty, the inclusion of striker Bernie Ibini-Isei is likely to be the only change for the Mariners, who played out a scoreless draw against Western Sydney Wanderers last weekend.
Glory are without Shane Smeltz, but Mariners attacker Sterjovski said the Kiwi’s likely replacement Billy Mehmet would cause problems up front.
Mehmet was brought on as a substitute against Brisbane Roar last week and headed in the winner in a 1-0 victory.
“Billy is a great player. They won’t be losing much up front. Billy has a good finish on him and he’s good in the air,” Sterjovski said.
“He’s definitely a danger man for them and we will have to be at our best to stop him.”
Ferguson’s side were impressive as they accounted for the Roar in their grand final rematch at Patersons Stadium.
While he paid tribute to Glory’s efforts against the Roar, Sterjovski said the Mariners were confident of recording their first win of the season.
“I think they did really well. They were really up for it and wanted to beat the Roar after losing in the grand final,” he said.
“They played a good game and played to their strengths and came away with the win.
“They are going to come here trying to get three points, but I think we’re going to be ready for them.”
The Mariners will wear a pink kit on Sunday at Bluetongue Stadium in support of Pink Ribbon Day which raises awareness and funds for women’s cancers.
