Pressure mounts at pointy end of season

COMING into the final few weeks of the A-League season, every player and coach at every club is under pressure to avoid the disaster of an early finish.

At the moment we’re in the top six but far from safe. Usually around 36 points gets you into the finals, so we need nine more from our five remaining games to make it a reality.

When you’re fighting for those final spots, inevitably players will go in harder while battling for the ball and sometimes can push the boundaries.

Obviously the referee thought that was the case with Perth Glory goalkeeper Liam Reddy when he was sent off last weekend.

As you might have seen, I got caught in the middle of his actions afterwards, but mostly because I didn’t want him to take it too far and get in more trouble.

There was nothing in it. He’s a great competitor and the ALeague needs the best players available as often as possible.

When a player loses their cool, I don’t think we take enough time to look at the big picture. Being a professional footballer is a pressure-filled environment on its own without considering other factors.

I don’t know if this is the case for Liam, but personally, it is stressful being away from my family on the Gold Coast while I’m in Sydney doing my bit to try to get the Wanderers into the finals.

Getting there will be one thing and it’s in our control at the moment. But if we do, we’re going to have to lift our game even more to compete with the likes of Sydney and Newcastle.

Their match last weekend was the ideal advertisement for the A-League and it’s a level we’re all striving for.

Hopefully we see a glimpse of that potential against Wellington Phoenix this weekend.