Gold Coast’s Smeltz looking to extend unbeaten run

Gold Coast United striker Shane Smeltz says the players are determined to keep their current seven-game unbeaten run intact.

United host Wellington Phoenix in their final home and away game for the season at Skilled Park and Smeltz said there is a good amount of confidence around the club as they prepare to take on his former team for the chance to finish in the top-two.

“There’s a really good vibe around the club at the moment and everyone is performing well,” Smeltz said.

“All the players realise how important it is to finish in the top two, but our aim all along has been to finish first. We’re right in the mix for that and have worked hard to get ourselves in this position, so we don’t want to let it slip now with only two games to go.

“Our record is good at Skilled Park, the crowds have been building and creating a great atmosphere, so we have to be confident heading into what is another big game. With what we are aiming to achieve games don’t get any bigger than this and we’re all looking forward to it.

“The last two matches (Wellington at home and North Queensland away) are ones that we feel we can win if we play well and stay on top of our game. This is our last home fixture and we want to end our home season on a high and give the fans a good performance to enjoy.”

The last time these two sides met back in Round 12, the Phoenix cruised to a 6-0 win, but Smeltz is adamant that nothing like that will occur again as Gold Coast have found some consistency leading into the finals.

“A lot of time has passed since that bad result in Wellington and it came in a bad patch for us. It’s in the back of our minds but that’s it – we’ve moved on since then and are showing some good form now,” he added.

“Consistency has been the key for us. A lot of players who were troubled with injuries have come back well and it’s helped that we’ve had a settled side for a while.

“Coming into this part of the season everyone is buzzing about playing in finals football and that has created a lot of competition for places, which is what you want. Everyone wants to play and everyone wants to do well.”