Words: Steve Pitman
Image: Albert Perez/Football Queensland

Brisbane Strikers defender Greig Henslee says his team should take no notice of the league table ahead of Sunday’s clash against traditional rivals Sunshine Coast FC.

Strikers closed to within a single point of league leaders FNQ Heat last weekend after accounting for top four contenders Redlands United.

And while on paper the eighth-placed Fire suggest a lesser challenge for Strikers, Henslee is adamant he and his teammates can ill afford to take this weekend’s opponents lightly.

“Looking at the league table two weeks ago, we were playing Olympic FC in what looked like a routine home victory,” Henslee recalled.

“But the whole league knew the run of form Olympic were on and that was a bit of a sore slip-up for us.”

“(It’s) the same again this weekend – you look at the league table and it looks like it should be a fairly routine victory, but I think we are all pretty aware of the run of form that the Fire have been on of late.”

Fire have won their past three matches as they mount a late claim for a place in this season’s top four.

Henslee, who previously played alongside his current Strikers coach Kevin A’herne-Evans at Fire in the Queensland State League, said Fire could prove a dark horse in this year’s finals race.

“They’re in that sort of position at the moment where they are not really expected to make the finals by those on the outside. But I think that within the camp it’s something that they’re still aiming for.”

“They are just going out there and doing their best when the pressure is off and they are a dangerous team to play at the moment.”

However, he was quick to add that Strikers own form has them in good stead ahead of a double push for a maiden PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues title and the business end of the Westfield FFA Cup next week.

“We are a young team and there’s no doubt in my mind that we are the best team in the league,” he asserted.

“But obviously we have to go out there and show that and, at the end of the season, come away with the points.”

“That obviously starts with a really tough, physical game away to Sunshine Coast this weekend.”

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 18

Sunshine Coast FC v Brisbane Strikers FC
Sunday, July 24 | 2:00PM
Sunshine Coast Stadium, Sunshine Coast

This story originally appeared on the Brisbane Strikers FC website - www.brisbanestrikers.com.au

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