CLICK HERE TO SEE HEART AND SASA TRAIN

The Red and Whites go into Saturday’s game as one of the form teams in the A-League after consecutive victories over Brisbane and Phoenix.

There is momentum building at the third placed Heart whose purposeful playing style and belief has come to the fore in recent weeks.

The bookies are also getting on board with the side firming as an outside threat to Roar and the Mariners for an A-League title.

But the Heart coach said his team’s worst display of the season was in round two against Perth at AAMI.

It was a performance he said showed fear. It all points to a clash in Perth that will show just how far Heart have come.

“Last season I think we had three draws against Perth and this year the second game we lost,” van’t Schip said after training. “They’ve caused us some problems for sure.

“But we are confident the way we are playing in the last few weeks. Physically we’re looking very good and as a team we’re growing.”

In team news the only likely change to the Heart starting line-up, according to van’t Schip, will be Wayne Srhoj in for the injured midfield general Jonatan Germano.

Key midfielder Matt Thompson (neck injury) didn’t train on Thursday but is expected to make the trip across the country for the clash against Ian Ferguson’s men.

Thursday’s session at Latrobe focused heavily on possession football and breaking on the counter but van’t Schip is bracing for a physical encounter.

“Perth are very good in high balls and physically strong with [Billy] Mehmet and [Shane] Smeltz up front,” he said.

“[Liam] Miller is more of a technical player in the midfield who can crate things and [Jacob] Burns is a player who can control and mentally make them stronger with his challenges.

“So there are a few things we have to be aware of. Andrezinho can also cause you problems but looking at what we can do, we can surely hurt them too with the qualities we have.”

Van’t Schip has used this week to also emphasise the importance of consistent commitment. In such a tight league, he said maintaining such a mentality was the key across the season – not just in certain big games.

He added: “If not, we have a problem.”

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CLICK HERE TO SEE HEART AND SASA TRAIN