Now that Perth Glory have rediscovered their mojo, the Premiers are ready to ‘be a force’, according to Tomi Mrcela.
Tony Popovic’s Grand Finalists were only able to record one win from their opening seven games of the Hyundai A-League 2019/20 season.
The Western Australians have won back-to-back games in December, taking maximum points 3-0 at Melbourne City and 2-0 against Western Sydney Wanderers back at home.
Mrcela puts the club’s difficult run down to misfortune and insists his coach and teammates were unwavering in their belief that they would turn it around.
“We didn’t play bad in the first six, seven games, it’s just the results weren’t there,” the 29-year-old defender said.
“We knew that we are a good team.
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“We’ve got the best, if not the best, trio up front so we know we will have goals and we will score goals when we play good.
“We have to defend as a team. If we get clean sheets, we’re winning games that’s for sure.”
On Saturday evening, Glory face a Newcastle Jets side that have lost two straight games and will be still stinging from the 4-0 mauling at the hands of Melbourne City.
Mrcela and his teammates walk out at HBF Park at 4.30pm local, 7.30pm AEDT, knowing that another win will show their faith through the tough times has paid off.
“The boss just kept believing in us and telling us that we are a good team,” he added.
“It happens. Sometimes you are not on top. Sometimes you are playing good but not getting the results, and you can’t get frustrated and stop believing in yourself.
“You just have to work hard like we do and once the result comes, it’s just going to get easier and easier.
“We want to continue that. We have another home game and, if we can continue the run, we can really be a force for the following games.”
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Newcastle midfielder Ben Kantarovski admits the Jets have to make gains to compete with teams of Glory’s quality.
The 27-year-old believes Ernie Merrick’s side know where they need to improve to get a result on the road in WA.
“I think we just have to focus on what we’ve done really well,” Kantarovski said.
“Adelaide we did really well, even in the game against City, we dominated the possession.
“We weren’t structured at times defensively.
“That’s football and we learn from that and we move forward to make sure that we carry on all of the good things in the games.
He added: “We need to keep the ball better and make sure we’re a lot more structured in defence.
“Make sure we give them nothing coming at us and take everything going forward.”
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Perth Glory v Newcastle Jets
Date: Saturday, 21 December
Venue: HBF Park
Kick-off: 4.30pm local, 7.30pm AEDT
Match Centre
