Patersons passion can get Glory the win: Fergie
Perth Glory coach Ian Ferguson wants his side’s fans to put on a carnival atmosphere to help inspire his players to three points against Western Sydney Wanderers tomorrow.
Glory return to Patersons Stadium for the first time since the opening day win over Brisbane Roar in early October, where the support proved a key factor in the 1-0 win over the reigning champions.
Now Ferguson wants a repeat against the red-hot Wanderers, who go into the game on the back of a stunning 6-1 demolition of Adelaide.
"When we played Brisbane here, I thought the crowd that day was immense," Ferguson said.
"They were singing and dancing and the amount of people that were here made it a really special occasion.
"I hope they come back again and get behind us, because they are really important in driving the boys on.
"I know it's an old cliché, but they really are our 12th man and have a really important role to play.
"When I hear them shouting from the sidelines it give me a buzz to know that they are behind us and it's even more of a boost for the boys out on the park."
Ferguson said he has been impressed by Western Sydney’s displays in their debut season.
"They are a team that has made a lot of progress over the last nine or ten games," said Ferguson.
"They create a lot of chances and are very well organised.
"I thought it was only a matter of time before the goals started flowing for them because they've got good players in (Shinji) Ono, (Youssouf) Hersi and (Dino) Kresinger.
"They are a very strong and powerful side who are quick on the counter-attack and Mark Bridge is on fire at the moment as well, so it's going to be a very tough game.
"But we're looking forward to it.”
Glory’s 1-0 away win over Brisbane last Friday, courtesy of Steven McGarry’s curling 25-yarder, came on the back a 3-0 home win over Newcastle.
"We're coming off the back of two good results ourselves and we're back at home, which is great and our confidence should be sky high," Ferguson said.
"We knew ourselves that we could have put a bit more pressure on Brisbane but the humidity was something that we've not experienced this year and again, great credit to the players in how they showed that steely determination to make it difficult for the opposition.
"I felt we could have held the ball a little better at times and if there was one criticism, that would be it, but the effort they put in and not only that, the desperation they've shown to win that game, was really pleasing.
"That's the best I've seen from a Perth Glory side in defending for at least 20 or 25 minutes in the second-half.
"I thought for the first-half and the first ten minutes of the second we were really good and then they just put the pressure on us, but we dug deep and hung in there.
"There have been times this season when we've done really well in games and come away with no points, so to get three points at Suncorp for the first time since I've been at the club was really pleasing."
