Taylor awaits rematch with ‘top-class’ Keogh
four in five matches this season.
‘‘I’ve played against him in England. He’s a top-class player and has done so well out here. He showed week-in, week-out his class.
‘‘There’s not just him though, there are a bunch of players out there who can hurt you. We’ve just got to nullify them and concentrate on ourselves. The players that we’ve got, especially going forward, the pace and power we’ve got, I’m confident of going in there to win.’’
Perth have surged to the top of the table through five rounds of this A-League season under new coach Tony Popovic. They made it four wins on the trot when grabbing a last-minute 3-2 victory over the Central Coast Mariners last weekend.
That match saw influential midfielder Diego Castro make his first appearance of the season off the bench after being plagued by a hamstring injury. He is in Perth’s squad again this weekend.
Perth have set up in a similar shape to the Phoenix, playing three or five at the back, but have been much more effective in the front third, scoring 11 goals to the Phoenix’s three – the top and bottom of the league.
‘‘They’re there [top of the table] for a reason,’’ Taylor said. ‘‘They do the basics right and have got quality players all round the park.
‘‘Their style of play is difficult for a lot of teams to cope with, especially with the quality they’ve got, but it’s a test. It’s part and parcel of being a footballer. You’ve got to step up to the challenge.’’
The Phoenix again named a fullstrength squad again, as they have for most of the season. Young defender Liberato Cacace may come back into the frame for selection after having an interrupted couple of weeks of training due to NCEA exams.