Perth Glory might be heading to Parramatta to face Sydney FC without five star players, but coach Dave Mitchell is hoping that only helps to build more depth ahead of an inaugural Hyundai A-League finals appearance.
It would take a miracle for the Glory to miss out on making the finals for the first time this season as they currently sit in fourth position with Sunday’s game against Sydney and next Saturday’s home match to Brisbane Roar to come.
The Glory will be without captain Jacob Burns, striker Mile Sterjovski, midfielders Adriano Pellegrino and Victor Sikora and goalkeeper Tando Velaphi for the clash with Sydney FC.
Wayne Srhoj is a certain starter on return from injury and Mitchell is hoping other players continue to step up to cause him a real headache once the injured stars are fit again.
“The boys stood up to the mark last week with a great result and again the players are out this week along with Adriano, but it gives another chance for a bloke to come in and stake a claim. We are going in there in a good positive mood and are looking forward to the game,” Mitchell said.
“Those boys that have come in have given me a headache with their performance and if they perform again this week it’s all good for the squad, club and team.”
“Wayne is lacking a bit of match fitness, but he’s a good player. He’s probably back in a bit premature than we would have liked. With the situation we’re in we needed him to play and we are looking forward to having him back in the side.”
Of the injured players, Burns’ hamstring problem is causing the most concern and he would be the only doubtful starter right now for the Glory’s first ever final.
“Jake is one who we’re not sure about and he might be a bit longer than the others, but the rest are looking likely of coming back a little earlier than we initially thought,” Mitchell said.
“The thing with Jake is that he had a problem the week prior to the last game and he got through it and played when he probably shouldn’t have. That’s caused the injury to be a bit worse than we initially deemed.”
The pressure was mounting on the Glory and Mitchell mid-season when it appeared they might not make the finals, but now the coach is hoping that a good performance on Sunday and next weekend can secure a home final at ME Bank Stadium.
“Certainly we are buoyant at the minute, but Sydney has a lot to play for as well and was stung last week with a loss they didn’t expect,” he said.
“They want to get in the top-two because it means a big difference for them, so both teams will be going at each other and it will make for a really good game.”
Mitchell was under the pump to keep his job if the Glory didn’t make the finals, but he was quick to respond that the media and any other detractors don’t bother to understand the full reasons for things happening.
“That’s the media for you. They turn it on me, but that’s the sport we’re in. You get a couple of bad results and everyone is after your blood, if you get a couple of wins you’re all friends again. When we’ve had a couple of bad results I don’t think people look deep enough into why it happened,” he said.
“A lot of people come up to you asking why don’t you do this or do that. You turn around and say that we can’t because of this, and then they say they didn’t know that – so I say shut up then. They should make it their business to know and if they want to support the club find out the details.”
