Despite having already secured a home elimination final, utility Cameron Watson says the Reds have no intentions of going through the motions against Perth Glory on Saturday night.
Despite having already secured a home elimination final, Adelaide United utility Cameron Watson says the Reds have no intentions of going through the motions against Perth Glory on Saturday night.
Guaranteed to finish no lower than fourth after this weekend-s final round of the regular season, the Reds cannot miss out on hosting a home final regardless of the result against the Glory.
However, Watson was quick to extinguish any suggestions that the players already have one eye on Sunday week and would be leaving anything in the tank over in Perth this weekend.
The 25 year old can understand there could be a psyche for the Reds to save themselves for their cutthroat final, but there are more than enough factors motivating the squad to put it all on the line against a Glory team that is playing to secure its place in the top six.
An Adelaide United win at nib Stadium would effectively end the Glory-s finals hopes but more importantly give the Reds a valuable confidence boost ahead of their home final, while also keeping alive a third placed finish depending on Melbourne Victory-s result against Wellington on Sunday.
“I think a lot of people would think that going into the last game, just the fact that we know we already have the home final, but we spoke about it yesterday and it will be drilled into us this week that we have to get that momentum going, especially after the loss against the Mariners,” Watson said.
“You don-t want to go into the finals after a loss and the fact that third spot is up for grabs, if we win we can watch Melbourne Victory play against Wellington.”
There is also the added experience of playing away from home trying to get a result in front of a parochial crowd, something the Reds will need to overcome if they progress to the second week of the finals.
“It-s very important because if you win your first final you-re going to play away against Western Sydney or the Central Coast and everyone knows we haven-t done that well against them,” Watson said of needing to put in a good performance in Perth.
If he lines up on Saturday, Watson will become the only Reds player to have featured in all 27 games this season, a feat that is certainly worth its plaudits. Used in midfield and right back for the most part, Watson puts his durability down to the coaches having faith to use him in a variety of roles.
“I-ve been playing in midfield this season and playing at right back as well, so I think I-ve just been lucky enough to play two positions and I guess the coaching staff having the faith in me to play in those positions.
“I feel lucky playing every game this season whether it has been off the bench or in the starting eleven.”
“I haven-t thought about it until I got told yesterday so hopefully I can play another four games.”
