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Cup Final For North Queensland Fury Against Central Coast Mariners - Ian Ferguson

It's all or nothing for Fowler's boys.

Nov 19, 2009 7:12:18 AM

Ian Ferguson, North Queensland Fury (Getty Images)

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Ian Ferguson, North Queensland Fury (Getty Images)

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North Queensland Fury

North Queensland Fury coach Ian Ferguson has likened this Saturday’s A-League clash with the Central Coast Mariners to a Cup Final.

Ferguson has been drumming it into the players all week how important the match is and he’s confident they’ll come out firing in front of their home fans.

“It’s a massive game for us … I’ve said this to the boys – the next two games for us are Cup Finals – the Mariners and Adelaide,” Ferguson said.

“Two games at home we’re not travelling anywhere we’ve got to try and prepare regardless of injury, regardless of players coming in everybody has to settle down and knuckle down and opportunities will come for people and they’ve got to try and take them.”

Rostyn Griffiths is eagerly awaiting the chance to run onto Dairy Farmers Stadium again and knows a win would also create a piece of history for the Fury.

“That’s massive for us. I think we’re still coming off the back of that home win and I’m still thinking about it for sure in the back of my mind,” Griffiths said.

“I’m actually looking forward again to playing at home in front of our crowd and hoping for a good crowd, especially for this weekend.”

“It’s an important game for us … back to back wins at home would be massive and a first for the club as well.”

Middleby And Dodd To Return

Griffiths has played in the Fury’s makeshift defence while week after week another defender has been claimed by injury.

The 21-year –old is the first to admit he would rather be in the midfield, but at the same time, he doesn’t think the back four have disgraced themselves.

“I think we’ve looked reasonably strong at the back in recent weeks which has been really positive for us especially with not the normal back four – an out of place back four,” Griffiths said.

“But, with players like Middleby and Dodd coming back that only makes it look stronger and hopefully pushes other players back into positions where they should be.”

There is a chance the pair could both be back for the Mariner’s clash, provided they come through the team’s last two night training sessions.

If Dodd and Middleby are available, Ferguson is likely to move Griffiths back to the centre of the pitch.

While the Fury coach admitted it would be good to get specialised defenders back on the pitch, he had nothing but praise for the players who had stepped in for Dodd, Shane Stefanutto and Scott Wilson.

“The way we’ve handled things this season with injuries and everything that’s been going on has been remarkable,” Ferguson said.

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