The unforgiving Perth Glory supporters housed in The Shed are going to have their work cut out if they think they can easily get under the skin of Sydney FC defender Simon Colosimo when he makes his first appearance back at his old home ground on Sunday.
Colosimo knows he is likely to receive a hostile reception at ME Bank Stadium after leaving the Glory in acrimonious circumstances two years ago.
Flaming the fire, Perth full-back Jamie Coyne says he hopes the former Qantas Socceroo plays ‘crap’ and the fans ‘get stuck into him.
And Coyne calls himself a mate!
The unflappable Colosimo said of the trip west: “They gave it to me when I was playing for them and it didn’t bother me then so I can’t see why it’s going to bother me now.”
“I don’t think they’re going to be too worried about me, Perth are doing really well.”
“I’m sure The Shed will be there in numbers like they always have been. The Shed are intimidating but they’re good supporters – we’ve got great supporters here too in The Cove – but Perth Glory, Members Equity Stadium, is one of those places that you can really make a fortress.”
“And knowing ‘Mitch’ (coach Dave Mitchell) and what he wants to do at home, that was one of his main points when I was there and I’m sure that that is now.”
“They really want to give (their) fans something to scream and yell about and cheer about and they’re doing that so far.”
As for Coyne’s comments, Colosimo smiled: “Thanks Jamie. No he’s alright, the boys there are good.”
“If you look at the way things have gone, we weren’t doing so well and now the club’s rebuilt over there and they’ve gone forward in leaps and bounds to be honest.”
“For myself I’ve moved on and I’m enjoying myself here, things didn’t work out but that’s the way it goes.”
Both sides went into the international weekend break eyeing different goals for the remainder of the Hyundai A-League season.
The Sky Blues, one point ahead at the top of the table, are chasing championship honours.
Glory’s ambitions are set on a maiden finals appearance, their current fifth place standing giving them a great shot with 13 rounds remaining.
But Colosimo warned either side against looking too far ahead.
“You can’t really look too far ahead. It’s not like the Premier League where Chelsea will turn around and say ‘ok we’ve got Wigan, Sunderland, Wolves let’s count for nine points,” he explained.
“You can’t really do that in this league. You’ve really got to take every game as it comes.”
“It might be a cliche but you’ve got no other choice.”
