Melbourne Victory goalkeeper Nathan Coe believes his side have enough depth to cover the absence of three star players against Perth Glory on Saturday.
Melbourne Victory goalkeeper Nathan Coe believes his side have enough depth to cover the absence of three star players against Perth Glory on Saturday.
Kiwi Marco Rojas and Socceroos duo Mark Milligan and Archie Thompson will be away on international duty and miss Victory’s penultimate match of the regular season at AAMI Park, testing the depth of Ange Postecoglou’s side just two rounds out from the finals.
But Coe is not concerned by the absence of the key trio and has faith in their replacements to perform well.
“We have missed great players before and we have great players in the squad that will step in and play,” Coe said on Tuesday.
“Our squad is strong and everyone is capable of playing in the team.
“Whenever anyone has stepped in before they have done a great job.
“It will be testing, but we will be up for it that-s for sure.”
Coe said the players that do come into the starting side against Perth will want to perform well so they are in the selection mix once the finals commence.
“It is a great opportunity for some of the players to stake their claim,” he said.
“Whenever you play you want to do the best so it is a great opportunity with this game, then Wellington and head into the finals on a good and high note.”
Coe was the star performer during Victory’s 1-1 draw with Sydney FC last round, with the experienced custodian saving a penalty attempt by Alessandro Del Piero and thwarting the Sky Blues on many other occasions.
It was the form that Victory expected from Coe when they signed him from Danish side SonderjyskE in October last year and the 28-year-old said it had taken him some time to get used to playing in Australia.
“It has taken a while to adjust as it has been a bit different to what I have been used to playing overseas,” Coe said.
“We play a different way under Ange too where we play out from the back, so I play more as a sweeper than I have ever before.
“It has taken a bit of adjusting, but we have been working hard, but I have enjoyed it,
“I am improving every week and I think I am growing as a goalkeeper with the change of style I am having to play here.”
