Central Coast Mariners midfielder Andre Gumprecht wants to play a key role in the Mariners’ charge towards the Hyundai A-League Finals Series, starting with Saturday’s crucial encounter against the Queensland Roar at Bluetongue Stadium.
Central Coast Mariners midfielder Andre Gumprecht wants to play a key role in the Mariners- charge towards the Hyundai A-League Finals Series, starting with Saturday-s crucial encounter against the Queensland Roar at Bluetongue Stadium.
One of the crowd favourites at Mariners- picturesque bay side home, Gumprecht has been a spectator for much of season four having suffered a medial ligament tear against Saturday-s opponents in the final round of the 2008 Pre-Season Cup at Brisbane-s Perry Park.
Having since returned to full fitness, Gumprecht has figured off the bench for the Mariners in recent weeks after three consecutive starts in the National Youth League.
Gumprecht-s recent addition to a strong Mariners midfield line up provides Football Manager Lawrie McKinna with a welcome selection headache, particularly considering the explosive form of incumbent midfield threesome Adrian Caceres, John Hutchinson and Mile Jedinak.
“I-ve had two fifteen minute spells in the first team and I feel as though I-m up to pace and that I can have some sort of input,” said Gumprecht.
“We have to realise that all of our games over the next three weeks have to be won for us to be contenders.
“December is the month, it has shown in the past that this month will show you whether you will compete or not and it will happen again this month.
“We should put all of our Christmas planning away and focus on the job of getting as many wins as possible to be on top and competing for the Championship.”
Gumprecht is in line to register his 75th competitive appearance for the yellow and navy at Bluetongue Stadium on Saturday.
Included in the 74 caps Gumprecht has accumulated in Mariners colours to date are contributions to two Hyundai A-League Grand Finals and a start in each of the Mariners- Pre-Season Cup final appearances.
“My 75th sounds great, it-s a great number and it-s great to see that I-ve made this many appearances for the club,” said Gumprecht.
“Obviously having been at this club for four years and having had two big injuries in such time – it would have been great to have made 80 or 90 appearances.”
The Mariners- Hyundai A-League campaign continues at their Bluetongue Stadium home on Saturday, 6 December when they host the Queensland Roar in Round 14. Kick off is at 6pm.
Tickets for this match are on sale from Ticketek outlets, from the Ticketek website – www.ticketek.com.au, or via phone on 132 849.
