Central Coast Mariners head coach Nick Montgomery is pleased to have secured three points after a difficult trip to Brisbane last weekend, happy with the resilience shown by the squad.
The head coach keen to continue that form for what will be another gruelling trip this weekend, as the side travels to Western Australia to face off against Perth Glory.
“In Brisbane it was a testament to the group. We had a lot of challenges but it’s a massive three points and we look to build on that this week heading over to Perth,” Montgomery said.
“The boys are young but they are resilient, we work on that with them. We knew that last week was going to be a big test, everything was against us with our backs against the wall.
“We could have made excuses and not done the trip, but to the boy’s credit they all stuck together and said let’s do it. Let’s go in the morning and play on the same day. I think many teams would not have done that, so I’m really proud of not only all of the players but the staff as well.”
The squad’s eyes now turn to Perth on Saturday night, with the side keen to collect another three points. Montgomery not taking the fixture lightly, with the culmination of a good team, long trip and unique atmosphere creating a distinctive challenge.
“We will fly out tomorrow, we will train on Friday and then have the game on Saturday night. The trip to Perth always has it’s challenges, with the time difference and flights, but it is what it is and everyone has to do it. We just crack on with it,” Montgomery said.
“We know that their stadium has been a big strength for them this season, it is a small ground that makes it feel like a cup game. You have to compete with them, they are a physical team, direct, they like to knock balls into the box whether it is from set pieces or corners.
“t doesn’t matter where we go, it is with the same mindset to get three points and we will give it our best shot.”
Montgomery also has an update on both Moresche and Dylan Wenzel-Halls and their expected return date. Our Brazilian striker having missed a substantial amount of time with a knee injury, while Wenzel-Halls prepares to make his club debut shortly.
“Moresche has really progressed, so he is a chance this weekend. With Dylan at the minute it is just waiting, he is not far away,” he said.
“Maybe he makes the trip, maybe he doesn’t, we will see probably tomorrow before we travel. Everybody is fighting for places in the squad which is what you need when you have a small squad.”
Montgomery is particularly pleased with how well new recruit James McGarry has settled into the squad, having only made the transfer to the Central Coast in the final hours of the recent transfer window.
The versatile defender making his club debut against the Roar just days after joining the side, impressing the head coach.
“I think he is a great lad, a very talented player. To come like he did last week on transfer deadline, to start the game against Brisbane and play 55 minutes I thought that he was excellent,” Montgomery said.
“Considering he has not played as much as he probably liked this season he has given us a good shift and has settled well into the group.
“As usual it will take him time to adapt to the new playing style and the way that we train, but he is just a great lad, and I am really happy to have been able to bring him into the squad to give us that balance on the left hand side.”
The Mariners face off against Perth Glory this Saturday at 10pm AEDT, with the side looking to maintain second place on the Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s ladder.
