NERVOUS Mark Bosnich is as intrigued as everyone else to see how he handles his massive audition for Central Coast Mariners against Sydney FC on Sunday.
The former Socceroos custodian will start against Sydney FC and knows his every move will be followed by football fans inside the stadium and out.
Coach Lawrie McKinna asked the keeper over a coffee whether he was ready for the challenge and Bosnich answered that he was.
Speaking after training today, Bosnich said: "I'm under no illusions here, I'm under trial. Forget past reputations. Past reputations mean nothing.
"If I can't do the job for the team then that's not good for the Central Coast, nor is it good for me. If I don't perform then I should not be in the team."
Bosnich is happy with the way his trial is progressing but accepts that a game situation is a different matter altogether.
He said: "I said to him (McKinna)yesterday, I'm ready to be selected if that's what you choose. I'm just very happy and thankful to have a chance to start on Sunday.
"At least I'll know where I'm at in terms of my fitness and sharpness and what stage I'm at with my game.
"It'll be interesting to see. I'm interested to see how I do myself.
"I came here with no expectations other than to work hard and to make a good impression. Hopefully that's been the case and hopefully that will continue to be the case."
Bosnich revealed that he is feeling fitter and sharper every day and insists some pre-match nerves are a positive sign.
He said: "I can feel the nerves coming up for the first time in a very long tine and that's a good thing.
"I never understimate anyone. You do at your peril."
The keeper is also thriving on the welcome he has received from the club. He said: "There's a fantastic team spirit, the type of spirit I've recognised before in other great sides.
"I don't want to do anything to upset that. I want to be part of it."
Bosnich revealed he won't be a complete stranger to Sydney FC either.
He added: "I did have a training session with them, it was a boxing session, when I was here last time a month and a half ago."
McKinna is happy to give Bosnich his chance and said: "He's keen and he's hungry."
Coach Lawrie McKinna asked the keeper over a coffee whether he was ready for the challenge and Bosnich answered that he was.
Speaking after training today, Bosnich said: "I'm under no illusions here, I'm under trial. Forget past reputations. Past reputations mean nothing.
"If I can't do the job for the team then that's not good for the Central Coast, nor is it good for me. If I don't perform then I should not be in the team."
Bosnich is happy with the way his trial is progressing but accepts that a game situation is a different matter altogether.
He said: "I said to him (McKinna)yesterday, I'm ready to be selected if that's what you choose. I'm just very happy and thankful to have a chance to start on Sunday.
"At least I'll know where I'm at in terms of my fitness and sharpness and what stage I'm at with my game.
"It'll be interesting to see. I'm interested to see how I do myself.
"I came here with no expectations other than to work hard and to make a good impression. Hopefully that's been the case and hopefully that will continue to be the case."
Bosnich revealed that he is feeling fitter and sharper every day and insists some pre-match nerves are a positive sign.
He said: "I can feel the nerves coming up for the first time in a very long tine and that's a good thing.
"I never understimate anyone. You do at your peril."
The keeper is also thriving on the welcome he has received from the club. He said: "There's a fantastic team spirit, the type of spirit I've recognised before in other great sides.
"I don't want to do anything to upset that. I want to be part of it."
Bosnich revealed he won't be a complete stranger to Sydney FC either.
He added: "I did have a training session with them, it was a boxing session, when I was here last time a month and a half ago."
McKinna is happy to give Bosnich his chance and said: "He's keen and he's hungry."
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