Defender Shane Lowry regards Perth Glory's mental strength as a key asset in their battle for a first A-League championship.
The Glory have a four-point advantage at the top of the table with 10 games to go, with their fortunes having been transformed since Tony Popovic took over as coach.
A number of factors have contributed to their success, including that they've had the tightest defence in the league with just 16 goals conceded in 17 games.
Popovic's side have kept seven clean sheets in all, including all of the last four matches.
Lowry, who scored the first goal in the Glory's 3-0 win over Wellington Phoenix last time out, feels the team have a mental edge over their rivals.
The 29-year-old said: "We are mentally very strong; we have shown when we are behind in games that we can come back and beat teams. Our mental strength is a massive factor."
Lowry says it's clear that the team have tightened up at the back, adding: "Keeping a clean sheet for us defenders is like scoring a goal - we pride ourselves on clean sheets.
"When the rest of the teams are seeing us not conceding goals, and we score a lot of goals, it's intimidating. We want to stamp our authority on the league. We're doing well at the moment but there's still a long way to go."
If Perth can beat second-placed Melbourne Victory away from home on Sunday, as they did in round two, it will be a big step towards them securing the premiership.
Popovic's side are unbeaten in their seven away games this season, with five wins and two draws.
Perth Glory are 2/1 to win the Grand Final and 21/10 to win their next game against Melbourne Victory, who are 6/5 with the draw 5/2.
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Defender Shane Lowry regards Perth Glory's mental strength as a key asset in their battle for a first A-League championship.
The Glory have a four-point advantage at the top of the table with 10 games to go, with their fortunes having been transformed since Tony Popovic took over as coach.
A number of factors have contributed to their success, including that they've had the tightest defence in the league with just 16 goals conceded in 17 games.
Popovic's side have kept seven clean sheets in all, including all of the last four matches.
Lowry, who scored the first goal in the Glory's 3-0 win over Wellington Phoenix last time out, feels the team have a mental edge over their rivals.
The 29-year-old said: "We are mentally very strong; we have shown when we are behind in games that we can come back and beat teams. Our mental strength is a massive factor."
Lowry says it's clear that the team have tightened up at the back, adding: "Keeping a clean sheet for us defenders is like scoring a goal - we pride ourselves on clean sheets.
"When the rest of the teams are seeing us not conceding goals, and we score a lot of goals, it's intimidating. We want to stamp our authority on the league. We're doing well at the moment but there's still a long way to go."
If Perth can beat second-placed Melbourne Victory away from home on Sunday, as they did in round two, it will be a big step towards them securing the premiership.
Popovic's side are unbeaten in their seven away games this season, with five wins and two draws.
Perth Glory are 2/1 to win the Grand Final and 21/10 to win their next game against Melbourne Victory, who are 6/5 with the draw 5/2.
Source: bet365.com