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Paul Okon Previews Mariners vs. Wanderers

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This Sunday the Central Coast Mariners host the Western Sydney Wanderers and with plenty on the line for both teams, this is one you won’t want to miss. Kick-off is 5pm.

Ahead of the crucial clash, Paul Okon spoke with media about consistency being the key to make a charge to the finals.

Paul Okon’s Mariners are eager to bounce back from a narrow 2-1 loss to Brisbane Roar whilst the Western Sydney Wanderers return to NSW after being downed 3-1 by Perth Glory.

In the absence of suspended Alan Baro, Tom Hiariej will lead the Mariners into battle as the team’s skipper. Tom’s fellow countryman, Wout Brama will also be missed through suspension.

CCM v WSW

Paolo in the Press

(Bouncing back after Brisbane game…)

“This is a game we’ve been looking forward to all week. We’ve trained hard, we’ve trained well. We need to show the energy that we’ve shown for most of the season and make sure we can keep that intensity for as long as possible. When we’ve done that, we’ve always performed well.

(The absence of Alan Baro…)

“It’s really disappointing, with Alan on four yellow cards we were hoping he was going to get to round 21 when it goes to eight yellows instead of five for a suspension.

“It’s an opportunity for someone else to step in – in the season you’re going to miss players through suspension and injuries, so we’re not too concerned. Whoever comes in must do a job.

(The influence of the supporters…)

“Hopefully we get a big crowd and our supporters turn up and do what they’ve done for most of the season and that’s support the team. You always know that if the RBB travels they’re going to make noise which only adds to the atmosphere of the game and the entertainment so we really hope that we can perform for our supporters. We expect to do it.

(Preparing to face the Wanderers…)

“We don’t think too much will change from our previous encounters with them, at this stage of the season there aren’t too many surprises. If we can execute our game plan, the concern isn’t our opposition, we need to perform and perform with energy. We need to take the initiative and I really expect us to do that and I’m confident that it can translate into a positive result.

(The return of Posocliero…)

“We’re delighted to have ‘Posco’ back, it’s no secret that we never wanted him to go anywhere. He’s happy, we’re happy, I hope that all of our supporters are happy and we will certainly be able to be use Jacob in the run home.

(Attacking options…)

“We’ve got six attackers. Kabsy’s gone and we wish him all the best but we still have enough players here who fill those positions. We’re confident that whoever starts up front and in attacking positions that they will do their job and hopefully score.

(Consistency is key…)

“The teams who consistently perform in the A-League translate that into consistent results which gives you the best chance of being higher up the ladder and playing finals football. We do know that it’s been an issue for us for a while now.

“One week we will perform above expectations, then the following week we’ve been disappointing. It’s an area that we’re working on, mentally we’ve struggled and we’ve been doing a bit of work on that.

“We’re at the point where we expect to perform, not hope. We don’t want to look beyond that next game which is the Wanderers, it’s a home game and we’re confident that we will perform,” Okon said.

Opta Stat-Attack

  • Five of the Mariners last 10 games have seen the teams go into the half-time break at nil-nil, with just six first- half goals scored overall in that period.
  • The Wanderers have won only two of their last 12 games played away from home (D6, L4), and will now be looking to avoid consecutive road losses for the first time since April 2015.
  • The Mariners have conceded just two goals in the opening 15 minutes of games so far, this season, the joint- fewest of any team in the competition.
  • The Wanderers have scored just three second-half goals this season, no other team has scored fewer than nine.
  • Tom Hiariej has made 36 passes in opposition territory per game this season, the third most of any player (100+ passes in opposition’s half).
  • Steven Lustica is set to make his 100th appearance in the A-League; he’s scored more goals against the Mariners (3) than he has against any other team.

Central Coast Mariners Squad: 1.Ben KENNEDY (gk), 2.Storm ROUX, 3.Josh ROSE, 4.Jake McGING, 5.Antony GOLEC, 6.Tom HIARIEJ (c), 7.Andrew HOOLE, 8.Blake POWELL, 10.Danny De SILVA, 12.Trent BUHAGIAR, 14.Adam BERRY, 16.Liam ROSE, 17.Josh BINGHAM, 18.Tom GLOVER (gk), 19.Jacob POSCOLIERO, 22.Jacob MELLING, 24.Lachlan WALES, 27.Peter SKAPETIS
**two to be omitted**

Ins: 7.Andrew HOOLE (promoted), 14.Adam BERRY (promoted), 16.Liam ROSE (promoted), 17.Josh BINGHAM (promoted), 19.Jacob POSCOLIERO (new signing)

Outs: 13.Kwabena APPIAH (departed club), 15.Alan BARO (suspended – 1 week), 23. Wout BRAMA (suspended – 2 weeks)

Unavailable: 11.Connor PAIN (hamstring injury), 21.Kye ROWLES (foot injury)

Western Sydney Wanderers FC Squad:.3.Jack CLISBY, 4.Josh RISDON, 5.Brendan HAMILL, 6.Marcelo CARRUSCA, 7.Steve LUSTICA, 8.Roly BONEVACIA, 9.Oriol RIERA, 11.Brendon SANTALAB, 15. Kearyn BACCUS, 16.Jaushua SOTIRIO, 18.Chris IKONOMIDIS, 19.Mark BRIDGE, 20.Vedran JANJETOVIC (Gk), 22.Jonathan ASPROPOTAMITIS, 24.Raúl LLORENTE, 25.Chris HERD, 33.Michael THWAITE, 40.Nick SUMAN (Gk)
**two to be omitted**

Ins: 15. Kearyn BACCUS (promoted), 18. Chris IKONOMIDIS (new signing), 22.Jonathan ASPROPOTAMITIS (promoted),

Outs: 42.Keanu BACCUS (suspended – 1 match)

Unavailable: 10. Álvaro CEJUDO (injured – 1 week)

Match Details 

Sunday, 4 February 2018

Hyundai A-League Round 19

Match: Central Coast Mariners vs. Western Sydney Wanderers 

Venue: Central Coast Stadium, Gosford 

Kick-off: 5:00pm (AEDT)

Tickets: CLICK HERE 
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS AUSTRALIA 501 

Hash-tag: Join the match conversation using #CCMvWSW & #CCMFC

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