Melbourne Heart coach John Aloisi. Picture: George Salpigtidis. Source: Herald Sun
JOHN Aloisi says planning for the devil you know is easier than coming up with a strategy for the devil you don't.
Heart's coach yesterday said Central Coast had been the most consistent team in A-League history.
Now it is up to his players to deliver against the league leader in Gosford tonight.
"You know what to expect from them. You know how they're going to play, know they're always going to give 100 per cent," Aloisi said.
"And whether they're playing well or not, they're always hard to beat.
"We know the Mariners are pretty good, well organised, so we know what to expect. It's going to be a tough game, but we're confident that we can get something there."
Aloisi said the Mariners' consistency - they've lost only once this season - is not new.
"From day one they've been consistent," he said.
"They made the grand final in the first year, when I was there (2007-08) we won the minor premiership and made the grand final.
"I have to hand it to Arnie (coach Graham Arnold), he's done well, but the players themselves and John Hutchinson (in particular), he goes unnoticed.
"He's the one who leads that team, on the pitch and off the pitch. If anyone steps out of line he's putting them back in line.
"That's why they've been so consistent because they've got a good bunch of guys there and a good team spirit."
Two of Heart's three wins have come against teams now in eighth (Perth) and ninth (Brisbane) on the ladder, while Victory was hardly flying when the crosstown rivals met in Round 1.
But Aloisi denied his side needed a scalp to prove itself.
He said: "It would be nice to beat the Mariners because they're the in-form team at the moment, but this league is so even, you're just happy to beat anyone at the moment."
Aloisi confirmed Socceroos trio Aziz Behich, Michael Marrone and Richard Garcia would start for Heart.
Defenders Behich and Marrone will replace youth team members Jeremy Walker and Sam Mitchinson, while Garcia will come in for Nick Kalmar.
Aloisi said last weekend's goal-scoring hero, Golgol Mebrahtu would remain on the bench as he gains match conditioning after an injury-marred pre-season.
With Behich, Marrone and Garcia back in the fray, Aloisi said Heart would approach the Mariners game with added confidence.
"We're confident because we've kept two clean sheets in a row," he said.
"And getting the international boys back in there ... they always come back happy and excited about playing for Australia, so the form is pretty good."
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