Head Coach Robbie Fowler is challenging his side to continue their rich vein of form by overcoming Perth Glory in the Roar’s return to Redcliffe’s Dolphin Stadium.
The sides shared the spoils last time they faced in Round 1, but both teams have since hit impressive runs of form that has seen them sitting firmly in the top six ahead of Round 20.
Fowler was assured in saying that his side have the belief and the resilience to overcome any obstacles that may be thrown at the home side tonight.
“I think they’re nine games unbeaten now so we know that we’re in for a game. We know that we’ve got to go out there and play the way we can and have that little bit of belief in ourselves because we’re in good form ourselves so it’s the making of a good game,” Fowler said on Friday morning.
“Any team under Tony Popovic will come and want to try and get the right result. They’ve come here on the back of a disappointing result but not a bad performance over in Asia.
“We’ve seen teams in the [Hyundai] A-League, when they do get a goal in front they do tend to drop deep and make it really hard. But look this is why it’s important that you need to start the game the right way and not concede.
“We’ve had experiences where we have conceded but we’ve actually got back so we know that there is plenty of character in that team.
“We know we’ve got good players who can alter games so regardless of what happens, if they score or we score, we know that there’s still a lot to play for. It’s one of those games where anything can happen.”
The Roar will be boosted by the potential return of Scott McDonald, who returns tonight after being unavailable for the trip to Ballarat last weekend.
Fowler spoke proudly about the impact that ‘Scotty Mac’ has had on the side, and expects the 36-year-old striker to lift the squad again against Perth.
“He’s been an important players since he’s come here. He’s given everyone a little bit of a lift when we’ve needed it,” Fowler said.
“Scotty wants to play all the time. He’s an infectious character. He’s bubbly around the place, he’s bubbly amongst the lads.
“The way he runs around out there, you’d think he’s 21 – I think he wishes he was 21, I think I wish he was 21. He’s a good player, he’s infectious, he’s bubbly. He’s everything that you need for a squad to have, he is that type of character and is that type of player.”
The Roar last played in Redcliffe in Round 6’s 4-3 come-from-behind victory against Melbourne City.
The Head Coach has fond memories of that match and is looking for the sell-out atmosphere to lift the boys once again in this crucial clash.
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“Obviously delighted to be back there. We’ve been up there once before; we had a good performance and a good win,” Fowler added.
“The fact is the crowd certainly helped us and tomorrow we want the same. I think it is a sell-out now. This is what we always wanted, this is what we believe should be happening all the time in terms of this club and going forward, selling out any ground is what it’s all about.
“When you have got a focal support behind you, regardless of how confident you are as a team playing well, when you’ve got that noise helping you it certainly helps you raise your game.”
MATCH DETAILS
Hyundai A-League 2019/20: Round 20 – Brisbane Roar v Perth Glory
Dolphins Stadium, Redcliffe
Saturday, 22 February
