Perth Glory defender Scott Neville says the Western Australian side is gearing up to cause an almighty upset when they take on league leader Brisbane on Friday night.
The Glory may be sitting in 10th on the Hyundai A-League table but after strong performances against top-four sides in the last month, including a 4-2 Christmas spanking of Adelaide, Neville believes it’s high time to shake up Brisbane and end the Roar’s run of 19 unbeaten games.
“We’re confident going into any game, especially with the players that we’ve got in our team,” said Neville from the Gold Coast, where the team have been training since their 0-0 draw with Gold Coast United on Monday night.
“The way we’ve been playing in the last couple of weeks (has been good) and Brisbane have to lose sometime.”
“Hopefully for us it’ll be this week.”
“(But) Brisbane are an awesome side, probably one of the best in the A-League so far,” Neville was quick to add.
“Their movement off the ball, that’s what we’ve got to be wary of and also their quick one-two play which is unlike a lot of teams.”
“Hopefully we can switch onto that early, not concede and hopefully catch them on the break.”
The Glory may have only earned four points from a horror 13-week run that saw former coach Dave Mitchell step down and be replaced by interim manager Ian Ferguson, but with Ferguson finally able to pick a more consistent side as several players have returned from injuries and suspensions, Perth have picked up one win, three draws and a loss in Melbourne to the Victory from their last five games.
But nine points adrift of sixth-placed Melbourne Heart, Neville concedes the club, touted as a top-two contender last August, may have left a run to the finals a little too late.
“It’s going to be hard to make the finals from here,” Neville admitted.
“But we’re just going to take every game as it comes and hopefully win all our home games and pick as many points up as we can on away trips and see where that leaves us.”
“Everyone still wants to do well,” he added. “Fringe players and are looking for contracts,”
“We want to do well for the club and if we can sneak a finals’ spot that’s great but obviously we’re just trying to pick up as many points as we can towards the end of the season and see where that leaves us.”
The Glory have a couple of injury concerns heading into the clash with Brisbane after defender Naum Sekulovski had to leave the field in the 41st minute against Gold Coast after taking a heavy blow to his knee.
Fellow defenders Andy Todd (cork) and Josh Mitchell (calf) may also be in some doubt, although Neville feels both players will be fine to play.
Chris Coyne is also finally available to join the defence after receiving an international transfer clearance following his bungled loan to Chinese side Liaoning Hongyun, although Coyne is carrying an Achilles injury and may not be risked against the Roar.
