Skipper Jacob Burns said the mood among players noticeably lifted during Edwards’ first training session yesterday as the squad embraced the coach’s new “structure, philosophy and beliefs”.

Ex-coach Ian Ferguson was dumped by owner Tony Sage on Monday following a five-game losing streak that saw last season’s grand finalists plummet to the bottom of the league ladder.

But Burns said Edwards, a former Glory great, ensured the players were focused on the challenge ahead.

“It was a very good session, at a very good tempo,” Burns said. “The boys are very positive and looking forward, knowing we’ve got a big job at hand in moving ourselves up that table with seven rounds to go.

“Obviously Alistair has a good record in developing young talented teams coming through. He’s worked with women’s teams, he’s worked with the Young Socceroos and he’s implementing a structure where we’re building up and playing a game out from the back.

“He obviously wants people to know their exact roles and positions. He identified straight away that we’ve got a talented team that with the right structure and guidance should thrive.

“It’s about getting the right people in the key areas doing their job and the rest should follow.”

Burns, who has spoken with Ferguson since the sacking, said the transition was made easier by the respect Edwards showed to the outgoing coach and his assistant Stuart Munro.

“He made it very clear that he didn’t want any unrest among players or any bad words said about the previous manager – and I don’t think that would happen anyway,” the 34-year-old said.

“The boys understand what Fergie has done for the club over his reign as the manager and wish him all the best in his future endeavours.

“Alistair was mindful of that and I think it was an important thing for him to get across to the players.”

Meanwhile Glory’s midfield enforcer has expressed his own frustrations at being sidelined for the past three weeks with a back injury.

Burns will again be missing in action this weekend and admitted it was a struggle not being able to lead his teammates onto the pitch during their hour of need.

“I’m not one for being a spectator at the best of times and it’s been quite tough given the position that we’re in and the fight we have ahead of us, especially being the captain,” he said.

“I feel quite helpless at the minute not fighting for the cause but obviously I’ve been out on the training pitch offering as much mentoring and support to the lads as possible. Hopefully I’m out on the paddock sooner rather than later.

“Sometimes backs take a little bit longer than other injuries and that’s probably the hardest thing for me to accept – the time waiting for it to settle down so I can crack on with my football.”

But he said there was no fear heading into the round 21 clash, where another loss could consign the team’s hopes of finals football to the scrapheap.

With just five points separating fifth and last there’s every chance the final two spots for the play-offs will go down to the wire.

Burns added: “There’s absolutely no fear. I’ve spoken to quite a few of the boys in (the Mariners) team and they’re not coming here expecting an easy game.

“We’re absolutely desperate. Every game for us is like a cup final. It is our home patch, we have a point to prove and we need to get the points as soon as possible.”