Central Coast defender Pedj Bojic believes his team must grab six points in the next two weeks if it is to challenge for a top-four spot.
Currently in fifth place on 19 points, the Mariners play Sydney (third, 20 points) and Wellington (sixth, 18 points) in the next two weeks, but a win over the Sky Blues this week will see them climb to as high as third.
Bojic made a successful return from suspension in the 1-1 draw against Queensland last week and will be hoping to carry his good form into Saturday’s match against his hometown club.
“It’s massive (this week against Sydney), the three points against Queensland would have been massive too, but the next two games definitely have to be six points for us to contend for that top-four, even top-two spot,” he said.
“It’s always good to play against the glamour clubs and being from Sydney as well, you wanna get one over them and the fact that they beat us at our ground first time round. It’s a must win and plus we get above them on the table.”
Last time the two sides met was in Round 10, when Matt Simon inspired the Mariners to overcome a three-goal deficit and earn a valuable point.
The two sides tend to produce high-scoring matches with Sydney winning a five-goal thriller in Round 2 and Bojic is predicting more goals this weekend at Bluetongue Stadium.
“Both games have been entertaining and high-scoring matches as well. I guess maybe it’s the local derby and hopefully there is a big turnout we can produce another high-entertaining game,” he said.
“But the three points is still the most important thing.”
The 24-year-old has been a permanent fixture in the Mariners’ line-up throughout the season and may come up against former Sutherland Sharks team-mate Brendan Gan on Saturday night, who scored the winner in Sydney’s win over Newcastle last week.
“Good for him that he is on the scoresheet, and it’ll be good to play against him and maybe make a few tackles on him as well,” Bojic said.
