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Ferguson has denied the 2011-12 grand final loss to the Roar remains on his mind, and is expecting a stern test against the out-of-form reigning premiers

By GARETH MORGAN

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Perth Glory coach Ian Ferguson says he would rather forget about last season's grand final defeat than use it for motivation ahead of his side's re-match with Brisbane Roar on Friday.

Besart Berisha's controversial penalty secured the A-League title for Roar at Suncorp Stadium in April, but Ferguson claims factors other than revenge are driving his attempt to steer Glory to what would be only their second ever victory in the Queensland capital.

"For me personally, I want it over with, but everybody's different," he said.

"I know what drove and motivated me as a player and it wasn't always the same as my team-mates.

"There are players that will take the grand final in and use that as motivation and there are those who will do things in a different way to get up for the game.

"What motivates me is going up against a top-quality side and getting a result.

"We've found it difficult against Brisbane over the last couple of seasons to get good results, but we set good foundations with our win over them at Patersons Stadium in the first game of the season.

"Now we want to go on and show that we're not scared of them, that we can go up there and get a good result.

"That's what motivates me and hopefully that belief that we can go out there and beat the likes of Roar will rub off on the players."

And despite their opponents' lowly league position, Ferguson is expecting a tough test against a Roar side who will be coached by Mike Mulvey for the first time following Rado Vidosic's move into a technical role earlier this week.

"When you watch their games, they are still dominating teams, dominating possession and creating chances," he said.

"There have been games that I've watched where they've lost when they really should have won.

"They are still a very good side and a very dangerous side.

"Like most teams in the A-League, they'll click sooner or later and I just hope it's not against us.

"Like us, Brisbane have got a target on their backs.

"Everyone wants to beat them and us because we were the two sides that reached the grand final last season and that represents a mental and physical challenge for our players and for theirs."

Last week's 3-0 victory over Newcastle was Glory's first in six games and having seen his side fail to convert a number of gilt-edged chances during that winless run, Ferguson was understandably delighted to see them rediscover their cutting edge.

"I mentioned before the game that even though we were the second-lowest goalscoring side in the league, we had been creating a lot of chances," he said.

"Against the Jets I thought we created a lot of good opportunities again and to get the three goals was great.

"I was pleased with the energy levels last week, I thought we closed them down well and the boys took control which I was really pleased with.

"Getting those three points was vital in kicking us on into this important festive period."

Ferguson went on to confirm that Scott Jamieson is expected to recover from minor back and thigh niggles in time to start at left-back, while both Steve Pantelidis and Ryo Nagai are in contention for bench spots.