In-form Mariners brewing something special

Central Coast will be aiming to continue their hot form when they host Adelaide in the A-League Men competition on Saturday evening.

DANNY VUKOVIC.
DANNY VUKOVIC. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

Central Coast goalkeeper Danny Vukovic feels something special is building at the club, and he hopes another huge crowd will be on hand for Saturday's home clash with Adelaide.

The Mariners have won three of their past four games to shoot up to third on the A-League Men ladder.

A boisterous home crowd of 10,373 fans cheered the Mariners to a 2-1 win over Melbourne Victory last week, and Vukovic hopes there will be a similar number on Saturday evening.

"Last weekend was amazing, a big crowd, the biggest of the season for us," Vukovic said on Friday.

"We love playing at home, and hopefully we can have another big crowd. We feel something special is building here, and we want our supporters along for the ride."

The Mariners' title hopes have been dented by the departure of star youngster Garang Kuol, sold to EPL title contenders Newcastle United.

Newcastle are set to loan out Kuol to give him valuable game time, with Scottish Premiership club Hearts in the mix to land the 18-year-old.

Kuol played a key role mostly off the bench for the Mariners this season, and coach Nick Montgomery is urging his other players to step up and fill the void.

After this week's game against Adelaide, Central Coast play five of their next six matches away from home in what looms as a season-defining stretch for the club.

Montgomery is confident his players are up for the challenge.

"We don't fear anyone home and away," Montgomery said.

"Sometimes it's nice to get out and go to some of the other home grounds around NSW in the coming weeks, and we've got a trip to Wellington as well.

"But all we think about is the next game."

Adelaide bounced back to form on Monday with a 2-0 win over Perth Glory, snapping a three-match winless run.

Vukovic says his Socceroos teammate, Adelaide skipper Craig Goodwin, looms as a major danger for his side.

"In their front third they are very strong," Vukovic said.

"Craig Goodwin - a World Cup hero for us and a very dangerous player - we need to be on song defensively.

"But we know with our attack we can really be dangerous."

Adelaide's Spanish import Javier Lopez missed the win over Glory with groin soreness, but coach Carl Veart expects him to be fit to tackle Central Coast.

"It's just an ongoing thing with his groin soreness," Veart said.

"Some weeks it's good, some weeks it needs a bit more time. But he's been fairly good this week."