McKay shares loss pain
BRISBANE’S humiliating 4-0 loss to the Jets hurt the suspended Matt McKay just as much as it wounded every Roar player involved in the Newcastle debacle.
“We’re all in this together,” Roar skipper McKay said ahead of his return from a one-match ban today in Gosford, where Central Coast Mariners host the three-time A-League champions.
“I wasn’t there in Newcastle last week but it’s still a loss next to my name as well.”
McKay missed last Sunday’s mauling after being sent off in the Roar’s seasonopening 1-1 draw with Melbourne Victory.
He quipped he “can’t remember” the send-off, but fresh in his mind is the helplessness he felt in not being able to aid his struggling teammates in Newcastle.
“It was hard for me to watch, just as hard as it would have been for any other member of our squad who wasn’t out there to help,” he said.
“Last week was uncharacteristic of what we’re about … we just didn’t perform.
“The boss (coach John Aloisi) has spoken to the whole squad and we know what we have to do against the Mariners.
“There are no excuses. We won’t put in the type of performance from last week.”
McKay is set to provide the midfield spark, energy and drive missing against the Jets.
“But I don’t think it was just the midfield that struggled in Newcastle – the whole squad was flat,” he said.
The Roar will take confi- dence from their good record at Central Coast Stadium.
In 19 visits to the Gosford venue since the start of the ALeague in 2005, Brisbane have a winning percentage of 63.13, making it easily their most profitable away trip.
However, McKay said his side would not fall into the trap of underestimating a Mariners side also out to bounce back from a 4-0 defeat last week.
“Both teams have plenty to play for. The Mariners are a decent team and they’ve got a great manager in Paul Okon,” he said.
“Forget about their result (against Sydney FC) last week. They’re a better team than that and we’re wary of them.”
In today’s other A-League fixture, Adelaide United host Melbourne Victory.
Tomorrow, Sydney FC cross the Tasman to face Wellington and Western Sydney Wanderers play Newcastle Jets at Spotless Stadium.