Striker Matt Simon has promised Central Coast will not sit back and defend when the Mariners and Adelaide face off in an A-League blockbuster at Hindmarsh Stadium on Saturday night.
While the Mariners are in second place, one point ahead of Adelaide, Simon said coach Graham Arnold is not one to instruct his team to play defensively.
A draw would be a solid result but the Mariners are travelling to South Australia with one thing on their minds – three points.
It is that attacking approach which has been the Mariners rocket back up the table this season.
“They’ll be confident after scoring 12 goals in two games, but we-re confident too, we-re on a good run,” Simon said.
“It-s a big game for both teams. The boys are really looking forward to this one. We’ll be going out to win it.”
After struggling to find the back of the net for a period earlier in the season Simon is now one of the competition-s in-form strikers.
He has netted four goals in his past four games and boasts 11 for the season. It is the second time in his career he has reached double figures in a season.
Simon is determined to keep his hot streak going against Adelaide.
Arnold has been an admirer of Simon for some time and has been delighted with his efforts this season.
“One of the best things about Matty is that when things aren’t going his way he still puts in a good shift, he makes a contribution,” Arnold said.
“I admire him as a player. Matty gives us wonderful energy and doesn’t stop running.”
A key to the Mariners form lately has been the combination of Simon and strike partner Adam Kwasnik.
Kwasnik, who has scored nine goals this year, was unable to force his way into the starting side during the first half of the season. But he found his scoring form and is keeping veteran Daniel McBreen on the bench.
