North Queensland Fury coach Ian Ferguson is contemplating throwing big Dutch striker Dyron Daal into the starting line-up for the club’s Friday night clash with the Perth Glory at Dairy Farmers Stadium.
The 26-year-old proved the difference when the teams last met, coming on late in the second half and producing a thrilling strike off his non-preferred foot to help North Queensland claim its first ever home victory.
Ferguson is hoping Daal would have the same impact as part of the starting XI despite admitting he’s still struggling with a knee problem that’s kept him out of the past two games.
“This might be the time that big Dyron just gets thrown in,” Ferguson said.
“It might be that he’s ready for a 60 or 70 minutes rather than coming on for 20 minutes.”
“I just need to wait and see how (his knee responds to) his first really competitive training session, he’s one of the ones we’re talking about when I say we’ve got a few niggling injuries.”
The Fury-s inaugural coach is adamant that defecting striker Daniel McBreen will not be forced aside in favour of Daal as long as his good form continues.
Defender Karl Dodd has been included in the squad but is another who will have to prove his fitness after also struggling with a knee problem.
The Fury have matched up well against Perth so far this season, posting a draw (1-1) and a win (2-1).
But they looked in a state of disarray last week, letting in four goals against Sydney FC.
Knowing how vital this game is to their finals hopes Ferguson’s employing a more defensive mindset.
“Because of the amount of goals we’ve lost in the last couple of games I think we need to shut up shop probably for the first 60 minutes,” Ferguson said.
“That’s not to say I’m going negative, getting everyone behind the ball, what we’re trying to do is quick counter attacks and hopefully we can hit them with pace.”
Defender Robbie Middleby admits the backline is feeling the heat after watching four goals sail by last week but says the squad attacks as a team and defends as a team.
“We’re always confident with our fitness levels that in the last 30 minutes we’re going to come good. It’s the first half of games that we’ve sort of let ourselves down throughout the season,” Middleby said.
“So that is a game plan for us and hopefully Perth doesn’t know that!”
