Head Coach Tony Walmsley will take no prisoners in attack this Saturday when his Mariners’ take on the Newcastle Jets at Hunter Stadium in the first #F3Derby of the season.
After Wednesday’s training session, Walmsley spoke with local media about the excitement of the #F3Derby and his intention of “owning” Hunter Stadium on Saturday night.
“They’ve [Jets] had a great start to the season, probably surprised a few people and their tails are up which is great for the derby but for us it’s about getting the mentality right for this one, when we go up there on Saturday we need to take over that ground and own it.”
“I know that the 11 that we put out on the field with an attack minded philosophy to take the game to the Jets is going to be something to look forward to.“
“I grew up in the U.K. where derbies are big games and there’s a different intensity about it, but it’s all about the players, it’s about how they manage their emotions and deliver enough on the day to get it over their opponent and win the game.”
“Scott’s going to be doing his analysis of us and probably scratching his head as to what’s going to happen, he probably thinks that we will be vulnerable on the counter attack because we throw so many bodies forward and I’m happy to go on record and say we’re going to play more up front this week.”
“They play a defensive counter attacking game, they have been a bit more expansive the last couple of weeks, we’re making no bones about it, they’ve got the points on the board because they’ve deserved to.”
“For us to break our Away Day hoodoo of 581 days as it will be, there’s no better opportunity to go up there and do that but we have to go up there and own that stadium on the day.”
“We need to go up there and be stronger mentally than they are and we’ve got no doubt that we’ve got the attacking weapons.”
“40-odd balls into the box, good luck defending that, I don’t care how good your defensive structure is, keep the ball out – that’s their challenge.”
“We’ll risk defeat to go out and win that game, we’re gunna go for it to get our first away win for quite some time and it will be an absolute thrill if we can get it up there in the #F3derby.”
“I’m excited, it’s a derby, away from home, no doubt I’ll get a bit of stick from the fans, no doubt Hutch will get plenty of stick for his comments. I look forward to every A-League game but an away derby is something to really look forward to.”
Newcastle Jets vs. Central Coast Mariners – Hyundai A-League 2015/16 Round 6
Saturday 14 November 2015
Hunter Stadium, Newcastle
Kick-off: 5:15pm
Tickets: Please click here to purchase match tickets
Social Media: Use #F3Derby & @CCMariners on Twitter and Instagram