The Roar's A-League Men tips and predictions: Round 26 - the jostle for finals positions is on in earnest
Here is the way the Roar expert panel sees all the action unfolding across the final weekend of play prior to the semi-finals.
Central Coast Mariners striker Roy O’Donovan says arch-rivals Newcastle play “ugly” football and will likely park the bus in Saturday’s F3 Derby.
As the Mariners prepare to unleash their high-octane attacking game at Hunter Stadium, O’Donovan launched the latest barb in the running war of words between A-League battlers Central Coast and the third-placed Jets.
O’Donovan praised Scott Miller’s side, describing them as the “form team of the A-League” – but in nearly the same breath delivered them a stinging backhander, saying he wouldn’t watch their games if he was a Newcastle fan.
“It mightn’t be the prettiest game – they won’t want it to be the prettiest game,” the Irishman said on Thursday.
“We played them a couple of times in pre-season and they pretty much parked the bus.
“It’s ugly. If I was a supporter I wouldn’t go and watch it.
“But that’s the way they want to play, that’s fine.”
O’Donovan’s comments are in line with Central Coast’s almost evangelical commitment to attractive, kamikaze football – even if it comes at the expense of results.
But if the Jets are somewhat boring, it’s because it’s working for them.
Newcastle are third on the ladder after five rounds and perhaps unfortunate not to be higher following last week’s controversial 2-1 loss to Western Sydney.
“It’s going to be a tough game. They play very defensively and they don’t play a very expansive game. We know what to expect,” O’Donovan said.
The Mariners, on the other hand, haven’t tasted victory since the opening round against Perth Glory.
Their chances this weekend have been dealt a severe blow with in-form winger Fabio Ferreira to miss the next three weeks with a hamstring injury.
“It’s a shame. He’s a good weapon in our arsenal but we’ve got plenty of good players, to be fair,” O’Donovan said.
“We’ve just altered things a little bit, we probably don’t have that same bit of pace on the right wing as we would have with Fab.”
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Here is the way the Roar expert panel sees all the action unfolding across the final weekend of play prior to the semi-finals.
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