Anthony Caceres and Central Coast Mariners interim Head Coach, Tony Walmsley are relishing a successful reunion with the silky midfielder enjoying his football under the man who first brought him to the club.
When a humble Caceres confronted media yesterday, we were greeted with an insider’s view of the Mariners dressing room and new look mentality.
“I’m enjoying my football at the moment. Since Tony has come in there has been a new energy around the change room; around the team, and the boys are keen to finish the season strong and I think all that is helping my performance,” Caceres said.
Walmsley will arrive at Central Coast Stadium on Sunday for his third match at the helm along with his high-octane approach to football, which earned the Mariners all three points at home against Melbourne City before falling valiantly to Adelaide in the city of churches.
But it is his work behind the scenes, instilling full trust in the ability of his playing squad and a focus around freedom on the pitch where his best work is being exercised.
Linking up with Walmsley for the first time in three years, Caceres is convinced that while his own game will continue to grow, the entire squad will benefit from Walmsley’s attacking outlook.
“Tony is a great guy, the boys have great respect for him and I know him pretty well from our youth days. Him coming in is good for me – I’m playing the position I want to play in with a lot of freedom and hopefully I can help him out by creating goal scoring opportunities like he is helping me,” Caceres said.
“[It’s a] great environment to be in; around great players, so I’m looking forward to seeing what the future holds,” Caceres said.
Caceres stunned the Reds’ faithful last Thursday night with a 20-yard scorcher to open the scoring, that replicated the long-range efforts he buried against Newcastle Jets and Brisbane Roar last season, but he was more focused on the team performance than his individual achievement.
“First goal of the year, it’s always good to get on the score sheet, and unfortunately we couldn’t get the result after that but I thought the performance, particularly in the first half was really good from the team overall and hopefully we can build on that performance this week against Perth,” Caceres said.
The humble footballer that he is, Caceres was quick to deflect any talk of his form being the catalyst for a rejuvenated yellow and navy onto the class and skill of those around him.
“Sarks [Isaka Cernak] is great to play with. He is very mobile, he always gives you an option when you have the ball and he is always looking to get in behind,” Caceres said.
“Fabio is also great. He is always hungry for the ball, and when Trifiro’s on the pitch I feel I combine with him really well. He has a great range of passing and is comfortable in tight areas.
“We’re playing positive attacking football now and everyone is enjoying it,” Caceres said.
Acting as his own toughest critic, Caceres was happy to admit he had plenty to work on, but for now he hopes to ride the wave of his stellar form to cement his place in the first 11.
“There is plenty of room for improvement for myself. I’d love to get on the score sheet more often – one goal feels great but the more the better.
“Im just focusing on improving as a player and a person week in week out here at the club.
“Hopefully I can continue the decent form I’m in and look to help the team to more wins to finish of the season,” Caceres said.
Sunday March 22, 2015
Match: Central Coast Mariners vs. Perth Glory – Hyundai A-League 2014/15 Round 22
Venue: Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Television: Live on FOX SPORTS 505
Tickets: Click here to purchase tickets
Radio: Live on 96.3 Coast FM & ABC Grandstand
Twitter: Join the match conversation using #CCMvPER #CCMFC
Dress code: STRICTLY SUPERHERO
