EXCLUSIVE: Sasho Petrovski is happy to bear the goalscoring burden at the Central Coast Mariners this season but denies John Aloisi’s departure has left the club short of firepower.
To see Lawrie in Sheffield and the latest training pics from Gosford...
The duo’s goals helped the Gosford boys win the premiership and reach the grand final but Petrovski insists no-one should be pressing the panic button now that the Socceroo has moved on.
Dylan Macallister’s arrival offers a different striking option for the club but there is no doubt Petrovski will be heavily relied upon to keep the goals flowing.
He netted nine in his first season, followed up with five in season two (at Sydney FC) and banged in eight goals for the Mariners last year.
He told au.fourfourtwo.com: “It was great to play with John (Aloisi) last season. We got on well together, played some good football together and it was disappointing when he moved on.
“But it’s no good going on about that now. You have to look forward. We have scored goals before John signed here and now we have to do it again.
“Yes, there is the expectation that as a striker you are there to score goals. After being released by Sydney FC the Mariners showed faith and belief in me and I’d like to think I repaid that last year.
“You set yourself standards as a striker. I ended with eight last year and so the aim this time is to do better. Double figures would be great.
“I’ll keep working hard and hopefully the individual rewards and team rewards will come again.
“You can talk about pressure but we have brought in Dylan (Macallister) to score goals as well and I’m very confident there are other goals in this team as well, not just from the strikers.
"You also know there are players here who are going to work hard to create openings for you. Luckily for me, I’ve got the glamour job up front."
He added: “We did ourselves, the club and the region proud last season. We’ve lost some players, other have come in and it’s a new challenge for everyone. It’s a clean slate.
“Whatever your job in the team, I’m sure people will put their head down, work hard and fight. You want to do well for your club and playing well consistently is a good opportunity for guys to get their names on Pim Verbeek’s mind.”
The Mariners have suffered one or two injury worries in pre-season so far but there is light at the end of the tunnel for long-term absentee Matthew Osman.
Having had knee reconstructive surgery back in November, Osman is now taking part in light training and should be back in full training in around four weeks.
As revealed by au.fourfourtwo.com last week, Nik Mrdja is also back in light training as he bids to secure a fresh contract with the Mariners.
To see Lawrie in Sheffield and the latest training pics from Gosford...
The duo’s goals helped the Gosford boys win the premiership and reach the grand final but Petrovski insists no-one should be pressing the panic button now that the Socceroo has moved on.
Dylan Macallister’s arrival offers a different striking option for the club but there is no doubt Petrovski will be heavily relied upon to keep the goals flowing.
He netted nine in his first season, followed up with five in season two (at Sydney FC) and banged in eight goals for the Mariners last year.
He told au.fourfourtwo.com: “It was great to play with John (Aloisi) last season. We got on well together, played some good football together and it was disappointing when he moved on.
“But it’s no good going on about that now. You have to look forward. We have scored goals before John signed here and now we have to do it again.
“Yes, there is the expectation that as a striker you are there to score goals. After being released by Sydney FC the Mariners showed faith and belief in me and I’d like to think I repaid that last year.
“You set yourself standards as a striker. I ended with eight last year and so the aim this time is to do better. Double figures would be great.
“I’ll keep working hard and hopefully the individual rewards and team rewards will come again.
“You can talk about pressure but we have brought in Dylan (Macallister) to score goals as well and I’m very confident there are other goals in this team as well, not just from the strikers.
"You also know there are players here who are going to work hard to create openings for you. Luckily for me, I’ve got the glamour job up front."
He added: “We did ourselves, the club and the region proud last season. We’ve lost some players, other have come in and it’s a new challenge for everyone. It’s a clean slate.
“Whatever your job in the team, I’m sure people will put their head down, work hard and fight. You want to do well for your club and playing well consistently is a good opportunity for guys to get their names on Pim Verbeek’s mind.”
The Mariners have suffered one or two injury worries in pre-season so far but there is light at the end of the tunnel for long-term absentee Matthew Osman.
Having had knee reconstructive surgery back in November, Osman is now taking part in light training and should be back in full training in around four weeks.
As revealed by au.fourfourtwo.com last week, Nik Mrdja is also back in light training as he bids to secure a fresh contract with the Mariners.
To see Lawrie in Sheffield and the latest training pics from Gosford...
Related Articles
Revealed: New buyer’s pitch to reinvigorate A-League's Mariners
Fresh talent flock to ambitious A-League outfit's pro pathway
