Their season is over and their future uncertain, but Gold Coast United are keen to grab two big scalps before the season ends.
An injury to Jacob Burns and the way Gold Coast stalled the Jets- finals charge should have Perth Glory concerned ahead of their trip to the ‘Glitter Strip- this weekend.
So many thought Gold Coast would just go away after Clive Palmer-s licence was revoked by Football Federation Australia and Ben Halloran got injured, but to their credit Mike Mulvey-s brigade of determined youngsters have given their all in recent weeks determined the legacy of their side won-t be one of a team going out with a whimper.
Gold Coast are raising a yelp and hot on the heels of putting as huge dent in the finals aspirations of the Jets, they will be keen to play spoiler for a Glory side who have real top-three and possibly top-two aspirations.
Gold Coast coach Mike Mulvey said that despite the uncertain future his players face he is proud of the way they have played of last and is confident they can gain an elusive victory towards the end of the season.
“We are a team that has troubled three top-six teams in the past six weeks, Central Coast Mariners, Melbourne Victory and now Newcastle,” Mulvey said after the 1-1 draw at Newcastle on Friday night.
“I think we’ve done ourselves proud, but we still want to win games.
“I don’t think there’s any argument that the performance showed that we can compete with most teams in the league.
“We have good talent and great character and were going out to try and win those last two games.”
With many players seeking new contracts, with only Ben Halloran and Kristian Rees contracted to Gold Coast beyond this season and James Brown bound for the Jets, the matches are also a showcase for the squad to try and work out new deals for the 2012/13 season and beyond.
Adama Traore is one player who has been in serious form and has reportedly been targeted if not signed, sealed and delivered to Jim Magilton-s Melbourne Victory.
The upcoming games against high-flyers Brisbane Roar and Perth Glory are going to be true litmus tests, especially this week against a Perth side hell-bent on making sure they get a home final and possibly climb the A-League ladder even further.
The Glory, who found themselves struggling early in the season have enjoyed a renaissance of late and are busy making their charge to the
finals.
Surprisingly that charge has come on the back of some stellar away form, form that has, in fact mirrored their usually solid form at nib Stadium.
The Glory have matched their home record, away in the New Year, landing 4-1-1 from their six away games in 2012 managing to take the points twice in Adelaide and also over Melbourne Heart at AAMI Park, but most impressively by beating the Phoenix in New Zealand back in Week 14.
The most significant of blows for Perth has come with the injury to captain Jacob Burns, and though he has since been cleared of broken ribs, it would be a questionable decision to let the terrier-like midfielder take the field against Gold Coast with finals just two weeks away.
Burns has been impressive in recent times for the Glory, even making some makeshift appearances as a defender and has been a big reason as to why the side has improved markedly of late.
There is little doubt though that with Burns gone, Gold Coast-s desire to make life top for some of the competitions best teams will manifest itself into a tough performance again this weekend and that if they do achieve the desired result they will give their long-suffering fans something to
remember this season by.
