Blacktown City striker come midfielder Mitchell Long is relishing the chance to play in the middle of the park for his new side.
Joining Blacktown from the now defunct Penrith Nepean United, Long told Football NSW he is enjoying his new role.
``I didn’t play at my best on the weekend but I have enjoyed playing a different role this season,’’ Long said.
``It is a bit different to what I am used to but I played in the middle growing up so it is not foreign to me.
``Jordan Simpson and myself tend to switch playing either in the centre or just behind the strikers so I still get to go forward which is a good thing.’’
The attacker last year received interest from Sydney FC and Gold Coast United before succumbing to injury in the NSW Premier League.
Although he was so close to a professional deal, Long maintains he is concentrating on the season ahead with Blacktown.
``I’ll just keep working hard for my team and hope for the best,’’ he said.
``If that comes then great.’’
Blacktown remains undefeated in the NSW Premier League this season, but Long says his team will have to work hard to keep their streak this weekend against Sydney Olympic.
`` We have the right type of coach and squad to go all the way this season,’’ he said.
``We started well but hit a stumbling block last week and we are hoping to turn that around against Olympic.
`` They have a decent team as well so it wont be easy,’’ he said.
``To be honest there are no easy games anymore.
`` We know that it is going to be a tough game.
`` We need to get to winning again against Sydney Olympic.
``We want to stay on top of the ladder and even though it is only early days it is always good to be up there.’’
Blacktown City coach Aytek Genc and players Mirko Jurijl, Jordan Simpson, Adam Biddle and Tolgay Ozbey return to their old stomping ground and Belmore this weekend, and Long says they are all looking forward to the event.
``They are all pumped and ready to go for this one,’’ Long said.
``Everyone loves to play against their old club and it is no different for these boys.’’
Blacktown City will face Sydney Olympic at Belmore Sports Ground this Sunday with kick off set for 6pm.
-By Christopher Georges
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