A slow start to the season is all but a distant memory for the Central Coast Mariners with the team on the verge of moving to the top of the Hyundai A-League table.
After turning in its best performance of the season to destroy Perth last week, the Mariners are now one game away from moving to top spot.
Victory against Adelaide at Hindmarsh Stadium on Friday night will see the Mariners lead the A-League for the first time this season.
“That might change with other results over the weekend but it’s a pretty big incentive,” Mariners skipper Alex Wilkinson said.
“After last week the boys are not short of confidence. It’s a tough place to go but we’ve got a pretty good record in Adelaide.”
The only change expected for the Mariners is the inclusion of goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne at the expense of the injured Mark Bosnich.
Redmayne made his A-League debut coming off the bench when Bosnich was injured early in last week’s win and pulled off several impressive saves.
“The rest of the side is the same as last week, there’s no need to change,” Mariners coach Lawrie McKinna said.
“The first half against Perth was the best I’ve seen a Mariners team play in four years.”
A key to last week’s win was the performance of midfielder Mile Jedinak.
The Socceroo has developed into one of the most influential players in the A-League and his form is always a key factor for the Mariners.
Jedinak, Wilkinson and in-form striker Matt Simon will be out for big performances after being named in Pim Verbeek’s extended national squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifier against Qatar in Brisbane.
