Western United coach Mark Rudan is convinced venturing outside Victoria for the first time in six A-League rounds will do his club the world of good.
The competition newcomers have a Sunday fixture in Gosford against a tenth-placed Central Coast side which has suffered successive 3-1 losses.
United are also on the rebound having lost 1-0 at home to Newcastle but are in the top half of the ladder despite having conceded the first goal in each of their last four games.
Since starting with a 1-0 win in Wellington, United have played five straight games in Victoria, one of which resulted in an away over Melbourne Victory.
While perfect away from home, the fledgling club has only picked up four points from their four home games.
The Mariners have also struggled at home, collecting just a single point from two matches.
"There are no easy sides in this competition, we respect all our opponents," Rudan said.
"But it's about us and what we can do better and that's been the emphasis [this week].
"It's a very tough competition, but I believe going away will do the world of good for us."
Marquee and former Greek international Panagiotis Kone was named in the United squad after missing last week's game with a tweaked hamstring, while former Mariner Jonathan Aspropotamitis has also been promoted.
The Mariners have defender Kye Rowles back from Olyroos duty and midfielder Daniel De Silva returns after a minor knee niggle sidelined him last week.
Defence has been high on the agenda for Central Coast after conceding three first-half goals last week.
"This week we've worked a lot on defensive responsibilities and things like that to keep it a bit more tight at the back," De Silva told AAP.
"Hopefully we'll be able to implement it into the game, it's looked pretty good in the training sessions."
De Silva is enjoying the role he has been given by Mariners coach Alen Stajcic after returning to the club following a season-long loan to Sydney FC in 2018-19.
"I feel like I can express myself and have a bit of freedom but also have responsibilities within the team structure," De Silva said.
STATS THAT MATTER
*The Mariners have gone an A-League record of 38 games without a clean sheet.
*United have won each of their two A-League away games by a single goal.
*Going into this week;s round, United had racked up the second most yellow cards this season behind Melbourne City.
(Stats supplied by Opta)
Australian Associated Press
