YOU work hard to prepare the best you can which in turn allows you to be in a position to take part in big games.
THE big games are the ones we live for!
Any player, coach, administrator or fan should feel the same – you work hard to prepare the best you can which in turn allows you to be in a position to take part in big games.
One v two on the ladder 10 games out from the finals is right up there on the importance scale.
Tonight-s home game against Adelaide United at Bluetongue Stadium is a chance for us to make a statement.
It-s also a chance to show a reaction from what was a below par performance on our part in last weekend-s scoreless draw with Newcastle in the F3 derby.
To the players- credit they set themselves extremely high standards and are the first to be disappointed when their performance – both individually and/or collectively – falls short of those standards.
Last Saturday night was one of those occasions and it is something that has been covered in detail this week at training.
The pleasing thing has been the reaction at training we have seen this week and now it-s time to take that into the game against the Reds.
John Kosmina-s team has stood the test of time to be in the top two all season along with ourselves and the winner of tonight-s game will certainly put a stake in the ground though no one will get carried away with another 27 points up for grabs between next weekend and the finals.
The emphasis this week as always has not been on the result but more the process.
Do the little things right, play to our structures and strengths, execute the game plan, be ruthless at both ends of the pitch and the result will look after itself.
Big moments win big games and we have the players to step up. We are also at home – our fortress – and we intend to dictate terms tonight.
The players- attitude to protect our home form – 6 wins and a draw from 7 games at Bluetongue this season – was the real positive to come out of last weekend-s clash with Newcastle. Even when we weren-t having the best night with the ball, the determination to keep a clean sheet was fantastic!
The return of Bernie Ibini-Isei from his trial with Belgian outfit Club Brugge and the addition of former Central Coast youngster Nick Fitzgerald from Brisbane Roar – a very astute piece of transfer window business by Graham Arnold – has certainly freshened things up this week and put a spring in the step of everyone.
It has also given ‘Arnie- some migraine-sized selection headaches ahead of kick-off tonight.
It promises to be a fantastic game of football in front of what should be a bumper Bluetongue Stadium crowd. These are the games we need our 12th man more than ever so don-t miss out! Kick off is 7.30pm.
Central Coast Mariners vs. Adelaide United – Hyundai A-League round 18
Friday 25 January, 2013
Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford
Kick-off: 7:30pm
Tickets: Please CLICK HERE to purchase tickets to the match.
Twitter: Join the match conversation on Twitter! The official match hash-tag is #CCMvREDS
TV: LIVE on Fox Sports 1 & 1HD
Radio: LIVE on selected ABC Radio frequencies & digital channels. LIVE on Coast FM (96.3FM locally or streamed online at www.coastfm.org.au)
Yellow Army Fan March
Friday 25 January, 2013
Starts: Gosford Boat Ramp (near Gosford Pool)
Ends: Bluetongue Stadium, Western Entrance. Yellow Army will then converge on Bay 16.
Meet: Before 6:30pm
