Central Coast Mariners midfielder Michael McGlinchey has promised the side will not be taking things easy in Sunday’s massive F3 derby against Newcastle at Bluetongue Stadium, despite having sealed second spot with victory over Gold Coast United last night.
Central Coast Mariners midfielder Michael McGlinchey has promised the side will not be taking things easy in Sunday-s massive F3 derby against Newcastle at Bluetongue Stadium, despite having sealed second spot with victory over Gold Coast United last night.
The Mariners will be looking to celebrate their achievements with Members and supporters at Bluetongue on Sunday, and McGlinchey insists a strong performance and the right result is vital, heading into the first week of the finals series, and a home and away series against Brisbane Roar.
“It was a massive win for us, we didn-t want to take it to the last game needing the points, so it takes a lot of pressure off us going into that Newcastle game, but we don-t want to take our foot off the gas either because we want to continue with our good form going into Brisbane.
“We want to keep up our momentum, they (Brisbane) have been a long time undefeated and I think we can break that. Obviously (Newcastle) is a derby as well so we obviously always want to win those,” said McGlinchey.
McGlinchey is one of five Central Coast Mariners nominees for the PFA-s Team of the Year, and has shone on the right side of Graham Arnold-s midfield diamond this season, where he has combined brilliantly with the likes of Oliver Bozanic, Patricio Perez and Rostyn Griffiths.
“It-s been an ongoing process. All season we have been getting better and better, and it-s been the consistency of playing with the same people week in, week out that has helped us build the understanding we have now, hopefully we can continue into the finals,” McGlinchey said.
The New Zealand born, Glasgow raised midfielder arrived at Bluetongue Stadium at the beginning of the 2009/10 season, and after missing the finals at his first attempt, McGlinchey is delighted to be part of a successful squad this time around.
“I-m loving it. Last season was obviously a massive disappointment, we didn-t have the best of seasons, but this season we have come on and been a more structured. Being able to play the same team and the same formation has definitely helped us excel this season,” said McGlinchey.
It-s hoped a massive crowd will be on hand for the first F3 derby of the campaign at Bluetongue Stadium on the final day of the regular season, where Mariners Members and supporters will be able to share in the success of the team, and help them gear up for a tilt at a third Hyundai A-League Grand Final appearance in six seasons.
“That is what all the boys love doing is playing in front of a big crowd, and to get into the top two I think the boys deserve it, it-s been such a good season, so we-re really looking forward to the Newcastle game and then obviously the Brisbane game next week will be massive, hopefully it will be a sell out,” said McGlinchey.
The Central Coast Mariners final match of the Hyundai A-League 2010/11 regular season will be against Newcastle Jets this Sunday, 13 February at Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford. Kick-off is at 5:00pm AEDT and tickets are available by CLICKING HERE or by phoning 132 849.
