Gold Coast United assistant coach Mike Mulvey believes it’s only a matter of time before the sleeping giant of the Hyundai A-League wakes from its slumber to make an impression on the competition.
United travel to Townsville to take on North Queensland Fury on Sunday afternoon, and while their past two outings have resulted in drab scoreless draws, Mulvey insists his troops are on the verge of putting it all together.
“We have certainly got the weaponry and we are going up (to Townsville) with a positive outlook; hopefully we will be able to contain them and be ahead at the end of the game,” he said.
“Everyone seems to be harking about us not getting the right shots, but it’s not of great concern to us. We know we can create chances we just need to get the balance of the team right and that will come.”
Since the season opened United has been stifled by injury, player departures and changes of formation, but with Joel Porter and Bruce Djite set to start together up-front for just the second time, this weekend’s fixture could be the start of something for the second-year team.
“We have been working very hard at it and you will see the fruits of our labour very soon,” Mulvey said.
“We have danger coming from wide areas with our fullbacks, we’ve got good midfield players who can get forward and we’ve got strikers who can score…it will all come together.”
Sunday’s battle is sure to see both combatants playing hard for the three points, and adding to the intensity will be the fact that the perennial trophy between the clubs – the Queensland Nickel Cup – will be on the line.
Mulvey knows to expect a tough challenge.
“North Queensland are a very determined side and we know what to expect from them. They have some very proud footballers and are very unified as a group, so we know how powerful their ‘siege’ mentality can be,” he said.
“We will have to take the game to them and fight fire with fire, matching their commitment and endeavour, especially in the early stages where both sides will be looking to get a grip on the match.
“I don’t think Fury are going to play for a draw or try to shut up shop at the back, so that will certainly suit us better, as it would for any team. The hunger is obvious among our players and I’m expecting us to go up there, play well and come away with the three points.”
And for anyone that will listen, Mulvey fires his warning.
“I warn everybody: at the moment we haven’t hit our straps and when we do we will start picking up three points on a regular basis.”
