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"Sydney United's defensive qualities were hard to break down at Edensor Park (round 8, 9 Nov 03). Their first goal was due to defensive mistake on our part, and then their penalty was questionable. After that we were chasing the game really hard, and were exposed at the back."

With these words, Stuart McLaren summed up the performance of the Strikers earlier this season, in possibly their most disappointing result to date.

This time the situation is different. In November, United were up against it, needing a win, and needing to show that they can score goals. Now they have to come to Perry Park, where even the Olyroos could not get a win against the Strikers, and try to put an end to that long unbeaten at home run.

"I don't know whether you should put it down to the travelling, or the weather in Queensland," said Stuart, "but obviously we are very proud of our home record, and the lads are all determined to maintain it."

Readers all know that the great home crowds are what makes the Strikers difficult to beat at Perry Park.

"A draw would be acceptable to us," he said, "but we will not be negative. Another couple of wins will put us into the finals." it reflects well on a coach in his first season to be able to say that with seven rounds still to go. And it reflects well on a young Queensland side to achieve such a performance.

Stuart spoke a little about last weekend's results. "We were fortunate that when we dropped a game, the other results favoured us - the two draws and the Kingz result were all in our favour, and this has happened before, when we have won, our challengers have sometimes failed to pick up points," he said.

Stuart apparently took a long time to get the gloves on (can't imagine why) while Scott 'Giggles' Higgins was being attended to, and a member of the crowd offered assistance. "I told him that he would be no help. I needed someone with opposable thumbs" said Stuart. "And when Giggles came back on I took the trouble to point out to the bloke in the crowd that I had kept a clean sheet!"

With Rosie performing well again at left back in Newcastle, Stuart is pleased that Warren Moon is back to match fitness (having played in a couple of games since his injury) which makes the midfield options more flexible.

Those of you who follow the Player of the Season voting on the BSSA website will have noted that Louis Brain's performances at home have been well received by the crowds, and he is making some inroads into the huge lead built up by Karl Dodd in the first half of the season.

Karl will not be available this weekend, serving a suspension following his fourth yellow card, but the depth of the squad has been adequate, in view of the level of fitness and the good disciplinary record they have maintained.

So let's settle down for another fast and furious Strikers home game, a nice win and life in the comfort zone, looking forward to the finals series.

I just can't get enough of this stuff. Come on you Strikers!