Rees leads Gold Coast's charge

With speculation raging over the future of the club as Palmer locks horn with Football Federation Australia over the governance of the game, Rees is looking for a concerted on-field effort to give the billionaire cause for reflection.

Palmer, who claims to have already forked out $18 million in three years, voiced his pleasure after the gutsy 1-0 loss to Melbourne Heart last Friday.

There will be only one change to that young side for the visit of the Mariners as Mike Mulvey takes the reins for the first time as the club’s official new coach after the acrimonious exit of Miron Bleiberg.

Skipper Michael Thwaite returns in place of midfielder Josh Brilliante with Rees promising the A-League’s wooden spooner-elect will seek to make Palmer proud again.

“We all had a chat with Clive as a group n Monday and obviously there a things going on around the club which are a distraction," Rees said.

“Clive has tried to assure us that there is a future for the club and a lot it will depend on how his discussions with the FFA go.

“The biggest thing the boys have a problem with is some of the stuff that gets in the media but Clive was pretty positive and his message was that he would like to remain in the league.

“As a player it’s about doing what you can on the field and try and get some results. We hate losing and I can assure anybody who doubts it we will be very competitive between now and the end of the season.”

Rees is convinced Mulvey, who won successive titles with the youth team, has a big A-League future.

“He’ll try and duplicate with the first team what he has achieved with the youth team. He’s positive and honest and all the young boys like up to him.

“Miron is more of a direct coach who likes to get the ball forward quickly while Mike likes to play a bit more possession and he likes quick passing.

“Boys like Mitch Cooper who is 17 and Jake Barker-Daish, who is 18, came in last week and did incredibly well under a lot of pressure, particularly with Mitch being captain.

“A lot of the credit goes to Mike Mulvey who has worked with all these kids in his time with the Youth League team and they know the system and style he likes to play.

“Unfortunately we copped a goal from a slip up … but overall Mike was happy with our effort.

“Central Coast will be a different test … it will be more physical. They are top of the ladder and bang in form but we’ll go out with something to build on.

“Having Michael Thwaite back is a bonus … he’ll be on a high after his Socceroos call-up.”

Rees, 32, is chasing a contract extension along the bulk of the squad but is keeping his options open long term.

“Down the track I would like to get into coaching but I feel I have a few decent years left as a player yet and would love to stay at Gold Coast if that is possible," he said.

“I still feel there is a future for the game on the Gold Coast. I believe the support for the game is there and that things can be turned around.

"A lot of people play the game up here at grass roots level and we need to engage with them better.”

Mariners coach Graham Arnold is taking nothing for granted in the top versus bottom match.

“Gold Coast looked good against Heart and have young, exciting players with bags of pace," he said.

"We will give the highest respect. This is our catch-up game and we aim to make the most of it.”