Coach certain of Fury talent

THE Northern Fury players should have the self- belief they are good enough to feature in a maiden National Premier Leagues Queensland finals campaign, coach Ian Ferguson said.

The Fury head into this evening’s away trip to bottomplaced South West Queensland Thunder in sixth spot, with only one point keeping them behind fourth- placed Brisbane Roar Youth.

Just five points separates fourth and 10th in a congested NPL ladder, and Ferguson said he hopes his players have the belief they can make the finals for the first time in the league’s three- year history, as he does.

It will by no means be an easy proposition with the Fury drawn against the top three in the final three weeks of the regular season, as well as Cairns rivals FNQ Heat, but Ferguson said his side shouldn’t be intimidated by anyone. “That’s why we’re here, I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t believe we could get there,” Ferguson said.

“That’s why we’re in the game and we’re not just here to make up the numbers. “I believe these boys can win every game and I just wish some of them would be the same.

“Some you win and some you lose, if the boys keep putting in the effort and playing the type of football we’ve been playing recently, I don’t see why we can’t make that top four.”

But he’s also warned about complacency against the Thunder this evening, with the Toowoomba side yet to win a game in their 14 league matches this year.

A bout of the flu has ruled out midfielder Jono Bagley and Warwick Stuart for the Fury while the Townsville club will be up against it logistically.

Northern won’t fly out until 11am today, arriving in Brisbane at 1pm, and must drive to Toowoomba and will likely only get an hour of downtime before the 5pm kick- off.