A relaxed and fresh Patricio Perez is itching to finally show Central Coast fans what he is capable of when he plays in Gosford for the first time in the A-League on Saturday night.
The club’s star attacker, Perez arrived on the coast three months ago but has missed the opportunity to play at Bluetongue Stadium due to injury and a two-match suspension for simulation following an incident against Sydney FC.
Now the creative midfielder is ready to go when the Mariners take on North Queensland Fury.
“I’m relaxed and motivated to do well on Saturday night and for the rest of the season,” he said at training this week.
“This will be my first game at home and I’m really looking forward to it.”
“I hope it’s a good game for me and the team.”
Perez came to the coast as Graham Arnold’s key signing but it has been a frustrating start to the season for the former Argentina under-20 representative.
He has made only two appearances for the club, one off the bench, but has showed enough in those outings to suggest he could be a huge success.
He has an eye for goal and boasts silky skills with the ball at his feet.
“It is a different style of play in Australia but I think I’ve adapted,” Perez said.
“The more games I play the more comfortable I’ll be. I feel every game there is expectation on me.”
“I put pressure on myself to play well, I want to be at my best every time I play.”
While the Mariners have been outstanding in defence, some questions have been raised about the teams attack.
With Perez quickly finding his feet Central Coast is sure to have more of a cutting edge in coming weeks.
Arnold is delighted with how Perez is progressing after the biggest move of his career.
“Every week he is getting stronger,” he said.
“He is starting to understand our way of playing football, he is showing very good signs.”
