JP praises players mindset

Hyundai A-League interim head coach Jean-Paul de Marigny believes this Saturday’s clash against the Jets is the perfect opportunity for the Red & Black to kickstart their run to the Finals.

The Wanderers will be looking to continue their revival under de Marigny and enhance their hopes of a spot in the Hyundai A-League Top Six when they return to Wanderland for the first time in almost a month to play the Newcastle Jets at Bankwest Stadium on Saturday night.

With 11 games left in the regular season, the Red & Black are just five points behind sixth-placed Brisbane Roar but have a game in hand.

Given there are still 33 points available, de Marigny remains confident the Wanderers will give it a great shot.

“Without doubt. We see this as an opportunity now,” said de Marigny when it was suggested the club is building some good momentum.

“We know we have 11 games to go and it is an opportunity to build momentum for us.

“People that write you off is not a bad thing because we know what we are trying to achieve here. We are working towards that.

“I don’t need any reminding (about the Finals) because they (the players) are reminding me all the time to be honest.

“They have a really good mindset at the moment and know what is expected of them and they have taken that on board really well.

“They are working really hard so they are really enjoying the environment we are creating here.”

de Marigny said the fact the club did not have a game last week (as a result of the Sydney Derby being postponed) has helped him even more as he tries to impart his style and philosophy on the players.

“We have had a good period. The extra time without a game has given me a chance to work on a few things again,” said de Marigny.

“We trained on Saturday and it was very good. There was a good tempo and intensity.

“It is all about building synergy on and off the pitch. We had an opportunity to do this and we continue to build on that. The Boys are responding really, really well.”

de Marigny said he is wary of the Newcastle Jets, who are coming off a 4-3 win over the Central Coast Mariners last week and their reaction to new coach Carl Robinson.

“I’ve done my homework on him (Robinson),” said de Marigny.

“He has had a good career as a footballer and a coach. He’ll bring a lot of knowledge to them.

“Our expectation is that he will bring a lot of energy and intensity and we need to match that. If we do then it will give us a platform to pay our good football.

“Obviously, it’s a new challenge for them, a different voice. They are playing for their livelihood and usually the response is a positive one. That’s what we are expecting.”