WITH the pre-season well under way, Perth Glory have now signed the vast majority of their squad for the coming year.
You'd also imagine that most of the salary cap has now been spent, especially since the likes of Burns, Todd, and Jelic have joined the team. That said, there's probably still a little bit left over, and there is still the matter of an open international spot in the squad. Personally, I would like to imagine that David Mitchell could land a skillful left back from one of the world's bargain bin leagues, perhaps somewhere in South East Asia. But even if this happened, we'd still probably have room to pay for at least one more local man in the squad.
Now they couldn't be an expensive signing, given the squeeze of the cap, but there's still a lot of players that could fill this space in the squad list. De-listed Hyundai A-League players looking for a new home. Youth stars ready to make the next step. State league players ready to prove they can perform in the A-League. None of these players will have the ability to demand huge wages; but they can all "do a job", so to speak; and if they're young enough they can even become a part of the club's future. Perhaps, just perhaps, they'll turn out to be inspired signings in the vein of Adriano Pellegrino. With this in mind, I've put together a selection of players from WA and interstate who might be able to offer something to Glory in season 2008-2009.
Player: Todd Howarth
Age: 27
Team: Perth SC (Football West Premier League)
Position: Left Back / Left Midfield
What he offers: A strong left-sided player able to play in defence or midfield (and even on the right side when required) Howarth offers the kind of versatility that Dave Mitchell looks for in his squad players. A member of the WA state team, the experienced Howarth would give Perth an alternative left back to Naum Sekulovski- though again one that is not a specialist in that position (playing there and nowhere else). Howarth is also very useful going forward, providing handy crosses and assists for teammates and even recently bagging a hat-trick for Perth SC against rivals Swan United.
Player: John Migas
Age: 24
Team: Floreat Athena (Football West Premier League)
Position: Left Back / Left Midfield
What he offers: Like Howarth, Migas is a left-sided player and a WA state team representative. In fact, the two recently combined on the left side in the West's 4-2 victory over South Australia in March. Both players have the skills needed to take corners and free kicks with success at state league level, but it is Migas' age that might be to Glory's advantage as they look for backup to 27-year old Sekulovski.
Player: David Micevski
Age: 23
Team: Western Knights (Football West Premier League)
Position: Central Midfielder
What he offers: Micevski was originally signed to Glory as injury cover late in the 2005-2006 season. He was then released at the end of 2007-2008, having played in a handful of games, rarely starting for the first team. Many fans felt he had more to offer the club, and since then he's certainly performed well for the Western Knights alongside older brother Daniel. Attack-minded and constantly looking to score or give an assist, you'd only wonder if the Glory midfield isn't already talented enough.
Player: Antonio Naglieri
Age: 27
Team: Perth SC (Football West Premier League)
Position: Attacking Midfielder
What he offers: Naglieri has been creating and scoring goals for Perth SC for some time now, culminating in an excellent 2008 season for the reigning WA champions. He was selected in the West Australian state team for their match against South Australia in March this year, and put the SA team to the sword with two well-taken goals whilst still creating other chances for his teammates. Topping off his 2008 was the highly coveted Gold Medal for the best player in the Football West Premier League. If fellow state team member Marc Anthony can get a go with Glory, chances are there's plenty that Naglieri can offer Perth if he can make their squad.
Player: Josip Magdic
Age: 23
Team: Floreat Athena (Football West Premier League)
Position: Attacking Midfielder
What he offers: Croatian-born Magdic has been a stalwart of the Floreat Athena football club since 2002. He's also quite possibly the unluckiest player to have served at Glory. In 2006-2007 he was signed by Ron Smith but given a run in only four games, only one of those from a starting berth, for a return of one goal and one assist. Not bad, you'd have thought - but Smith thought otherwise and Magdic was out of the team at the end of the season. He then proceeded to dominate the WA Premier League with Floreat in 2007, which earned him a recall to the 2008-2009 Glory lineup... and that promptly lasted a few pre-season games before he sustained a season-ending injury. An attacking midfielder with the ability to play through the middle or out wide, he could inject that little bit more creativity into an already-talented Glory midfield.
Player: Ivan Karlovic
Age: 27
Team: Metro Stars (BEST Super League)
Position: Centre Back / Defensive Midfielder
What he offers: Karlovic gives Glory a defensive option with NSL experience, whilst still being young enough to earn his place in the team through the coming years. While his position as a defensive midfielder with South Australian side probably won't be needed at Glory with Srhoj and Burns ahead of him, Karlovic can also play at left back and in the centre of defence, two areas where Glory desperately need more cover. Young Brent Griffiths may develop into an excellent A-League defender- but the 19 year old probably doesn't yet have the experience to be a regular backup to Harnwell and Todd. Karlovic could address this gap, whilst also providing Mitchell with the option of another midfielder.
Player: Mate Dugandžic
Age: 19
Team: Melbourne Knights (Victorian Premier League)
Position: Attacking Midfielder
What he offers: Both a creator and scorer of goals in the VPL, it's hard to make a judgement about Dugandžic- he was signed by Dinamo Zagreb and played for their feeder team but then returned back to Australia to once again play for the Knights. It also seems strange that someone built up as a future star by many in Victoria has not yet been signed for an A-League side's youth squad, let alone their senior side. It makes me suspicious, but I suppose Glory could at least look at him and see if he lives up to the hype.
Player: Lachlan Cahill
Age: 23
Team: Wollongong Community FC (NSW Premier League)
Position: Left Back / Left Midfield
What he offers: A natural left footer, Cahill would provide the Glory with another competitor to challenge current left back Naum Sekulovski. Cahill played for NCAA college team Coastal Carolina University in the the USA for three years before returning home to Australia for a stint with Wollongong Community FC (am I the only one who misses "the Wolves"?). Young and eager to prove himself, you'd think that the worst the lad could do would be to give Naum something to think about- and at best, the Glory would have a left back for years to come.
While I'm on my soapbox preaching about possible signings to Dave Mitchell, I thought I'd give youth team coach Gareth Naven some pointers as well. I can only comment on my local competition, the Football West Premier League, and I'm sure there are some National Training Centre kids worth looking at as well, but here goes:
Player: Ryan Williams
Age: 16
Team: ECU Joondalup (Football West Premier League)
Position: Attacking Midfielder / Striker
What he offers: I've seen the lad play a couple of times for Joondalup this year, and even though he's half the age of some players on the pitch, he fits right in. The younger brother of recent Socceroo Rhys (another ECU graduate) he has already chipped with some goals for Joondalup this year, and it is rumoured that Portsmouth FC have been interested in the young attacker. For the most part I've seen him deployed in the midfield as support for Ian McMurray and Tommy Amphlett, but I believe he can also play as an out-and-out striker. Here's a perfect opportunity for Glory to step in and take in a talented youngster before he is lost overseas; and while they're at it, they could enquire about his brother Aryn too.
Player: Jason Barrera
Age: 21
Team: Floreat Athena (Football West Premier League)
Position: Striker
What he offers: Another young and exciting striker, Barrera left his old club Fremantle Spirit to join 2007 premiers Floreat, and has immediately formed a good partnership with players like Josip Magdic and Brad Scott. While at Fremantle, he was considered one of the best players in the team and many had high hopes of him joining the Glory youth squad. It wasn't to be, but that doesn't mean coach Gareth Naven can't have another look.
Player: Callum Roberts
Age: 19
Team: Floreat Athena (Football West Premier League)
Position: Striker
What he offers: Okay, so I may have gone overboard on the strikers. Especially ones from Floreat. But that's just the way it is - when you start Barrera and you have someone like Roberts waiting on the bench, you have an embarrassment of riches. Perhaps Roberts' biggest asset is his pace. This kid is fast. What's more, he can actually finish as well; and if you've ever seen a "striker" by the name of James Robinson play for Glory, you'll know this is a very important skill to have. He's been on a tour of China with the main Glory squad as a trialist (and scored a goal there, too) but I'd like to see him brought into the youth team with an eye to the future.
There we have it. A collection of WA locals, state league stars, and talented youngsters for Glory to take a look at. I was going to look over other A-League teams' released players, but then I realised that most of them have travelled north to form North Queensland Fury FC. Oh well.
Finally, a pat on the back for Perth Glory owner Tony Sage. It's not often that the bigwigs of football clubs (or A-League franchises) get in there and mix with the great unwashed. But this week Sage has indicated a willingness to directly answer questions on a regular basis from Perth fans over at local forum gloryboys.net. Every A-League team needs a close relationship with their fans if they hope to survive and succeed; fingers crossed that fans can be sensible and mature in return, and that the club can grow stronger as a result.
