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Perth coach David Mitchell has declared the Glory’s A-League season is not yet back on track – but that it will be should the club achieve a result against Central Coast in Gosford on Friday night.
The Glory’s season appeared destined for another disastrous finish following their insipid 3-0 home loss to Queensland in round four.
Not only was it the club’s third loss of the season, but it was also the 18th consecutive game Perth had failed to keep a clean sheet.
But Mitchell said if his charges could follow up last week’s breakthrough 1-0 win over Wellington Phoenix with either a win or a draw against the Mariners, it would provide a major shot in the arm that could carry the Glory to a maiden finals berth.
“We kept a clean sheet, which was important for us, we won the game, which was more important and … hopefully it’s a bit of a platform for us to go out there and have a bit more self confidence,” Mitchell said of the win, which lifted Perth to within two points of the top four.
“It was important we won and past results – bar the Queensland game – we’d done well.
“So I wouldn’t say we’re back on track or where we want to be but … if we can get something out of the game (against the Mariners) then I’d say we are back on track.
“The Mariners are very strong at home but if we can get a point or sneak a win it’d be fantastic for the club and give us a real boost, a real shot in the arm.”
Central Coast will no doubt come out firing after watching two points go down the gurgler against 10-man Melbourne last week.
The Mariners were set to gain all three points until Victory striker Archie Thompson struck in the fourth minute of stoppage time to leave the game deadlocked at 2-2.
The draw left Central Coast clinging to fourth spot on six points, with the Glory two points further behind in seventh place.
Glory striker Eugene Dadi trained fully on Wednesday and showed no ill effects from an ankle knock picked up on Sunday but speedster Jimmy Downey will spend his third week on the sidelines as he makes a slower-than-expected recovery from a calf injury.
Brazilian midfielder Amaral (hamstring) is expected to miss another three weeks.
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