It might be last against second when Perth Glory hosts Sydney FC this Sunday, but coach Dave Mitchell is backing his players in to find form and knock off the Hyundai A-League’s glamour team.
The Perth club has been under increased scrutiny following a start to the season that has seen it win just once and be sitting at the foot of the table, but with Amaral and Hayden Foxe among the inclusions this week, Mitchell is confident of the Glory taking it right up to his old mate John Kosmina’s side.
Mitchell sees Sydney as being the most glamorous team in the league and given that, he would love nothing more than to see the Glory find form against them and get what would be a crucial win.
“It’s a big challenge. Sydney is the Manchester United’s of the A-League, so it will be good to test ourselves against them,” Mitchell said.
“Sydney seems to be the glitz team of the competition, or the bling, so everyone likes to beat them. They have a lot going for them and are a good side all over the park. There are not many chinks in their armour.”
“They seem to buy all the best players each year and with that they are a good side. They are sitting pretty at the top, have been playing good football and will be a challenge for us, but it’s one we are looking forward to.”
Mitchell is hoping to see a far more polished and committed team to the won that lost 4-0 to Melbourne Victory and 4-1 to the Central Coast Mariners in its last two starts, and is confident that one good performance could help the team get on a roll.
“We want to win the game. It’s a situation we aren’t happy with, but with them being a good side we have to throw caution to the wind. If we get the passion and commitment going, we should give it a good go,” he said.
“It can be achieved but you need to get things happening for you. A win can gain confidence and from that you can get on a roll, so it makes a big difference if you a get a couple of wins and the good thing is that we are getting a lot of our players back now. The squad is looking stronger.”
While the anticipated absence of Clint Bolton and Alex Brosque should help the Glory’s cause, Mitchell will certainly be wary of the depth and quality Sydney possess.
“There is speculation that Bolton and Brosque won’t travel and if they are injured, they are injured,” he said.
“They have a strong squad with players to step in and Brendan Santalab will come in for Brosque and he has scored a couple of bombs. I had him as a young player when I was back in Sydney and he is feisty, committed and a very good player.”
