PERTH Glory old boy Nik Mrdja returns home this weekend desperate to build on his scoring start to 2010 and shoot Central Coast Mariners into the A-League finals.
With three goals under his belt in his last three outings, Mrdja has eyes on adding to his impressive start to the new year.
The Mariners sit four points adrift of Wellington Phoenix in seventh place but with a superior goal difference, and Mrdja insists three points against Perth Glory on Sunday are vital to ensure the club's finals hopes remain alive.
"That's the most important thing at the moment. I'd trade goals for winning games any day. We have to look forward and there's always a bit of hope there. If we can come away with the three points this weekend it will be a massive bonus," said Mrdja.
After a lengthy spell where he never seemed to be off the injured list, the striker says he's feeling better than ever.
"I've found a bit of form which is good. It's come a bit late and I have to take every opportunity that comes now and make the most of it," he said.
"It's good that I'm playing well but at the same time it would be nice if we could get a few points on the board, make the finals and keep it going for another few weeks."
But the 31-year-old is quick to point out individual milestones mean little at this stage of the season, where the club is fighting furiously to regain touch with the top six and secure a finals berth.
"We've been a bit unlucky, we've created chances and (the last three games) could have gone either way, but that's football and you have to take things like that," said Mrdja.
The Mariners have a great record against Dave Mitchell's side, having succumbed to Glory just once in their 14 previous A-League clashes. But coming off the back of two victories in a busy week, Mrdja knows Mitchell's side are going to eager to add to their sole win against tCentral Coast.
"It's always a massive task travelling to Perth," added Mrdja ."As a former Perth player you know what the mindset of the teams who come in and play against Perth, because travelling and everything takes its toll.
"It's going to be a massive task for us, they've won their last two games and they are up in the top six quite easily, but if we come away from there with the three points it will set us up quite nicely for the last two games. We'll do everything we can to get the points and come away with a win."
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