EVEN though his team is sitting eight points clear on top in the A-League, Central Coast Mariners coach Graham Arnold has one eye firmly fixed on a late charge from Melbourne Victory.

Arnold could not be happier with the Mariners' form, but did not hesitate when asked the team who loomed as serious threats at the business end.

"We played Victory a week ago and what they have in the front of the field is scary," Arnold said. "Those three or four blokes, with Danny Allsopp included, if they can get going they'll be hard to stop.

"It was sad to see what happened with Mehmet (Durakovic) and truly believe he could have turned it around. But the calibre of players in Harry (Kewell), Archie (Thompson), Allsopp, (Carlos) Hernandez, and you can throw in (Marco) Rojas, if they're on song I don't think any team in the A-League will be able to stop them."

The Victory have failed to live up to big expectations so far this campaign but remain on the edge of the six, still 15 points adrift of the Central Coast. Many wondered if the Mariners would be able to mentally overcome the heartbreaking grand final loss to the Roar.

Arnold also rated Brisbane and said the return of midfielder Thomas Broich would help their latest cause.

As for the Mariners, Arnold said it was impossible to single out a player for special praise, and they were only focused on the F3 derby with Newcastle on Saturday.

Central Coast will be tested next month and March with Olyroos qualifiers and the Asian Champions League, which Arnold said he had carefully planned for.

"I think we've got the depth, we've got 22 players and five to six Olympic team players," Arnold said.

"One of things I tried to do in the off-season knowing the Olympic program was coming was to add some depth. Against Sydney on Sunday we had Rostyn Griffiths in the grandstand, who is fit now, Stuart Musialik, Adriano Pellegrino, Brad Porter, Brad McDonald and Sam Gallagher, which I think shows the depth we do have.

"Probably the (A-League) draw could have been kinder to us with the ACL coming up, and maybe we could have had more help from the FFA - the last four games when the ACL kicks in, we have two away games in Perth and Wellington."

"It's a cliche, but I keep saying to the players to take one game at time and every game on its merits. We don't look at the table - it's way too early to start dreaming about things."

Meanwhile, Sydney FC skipper Terry McFlynn has leapt to the defence of Sydney's back four.

"It's not the defence's fault or any one individual," he said.

"It's a collective unit we've got at this club whether that be attacking or defensive."

Follow @Telegraph_Sport on Twitter and like Telegraph Sport on Facebook

Originally published as Arnold wary of pursuers