After watching last weekend’s game between Central Coast and Perth Glory, I begin to understand why many eastern states fans despise the Gosford-based outfit. It’s not because they play a dire brand of football; rather, it’s because their defence puts other teams to shame. Even on the few occasions when the CCM line didn’t look impenetrable, the quick thinking of possibly the league’s best goalie in Danny Vukovic ensured no goals were scored all evening.
Mind you, the Perth defence didn’t exactly bring shame to themselves either. Andy Todd was his usual imperious self; Chris Coyne made Matt Simon look like a clueless schoolkid; and even the fullbacks put in a good effort. Much-maligned goalkeeper Tando Velaphi also put in another performance worthy of a clean sheet. Most importantly, the team defended as a unit - something they’ve struggled to do all year.
Clean Sheets and Clear Minds
It would be wrong to assume that, at any level of football, defending is the realm of the back three/four/five players alone. While these players certainly have the most to do, it is often the case that the difference between clean sheets and those of Paris Hilton is determined by the men in front of the defensive line. What’s more, defence is less about individual performances and more about team responsibility.
For example, if a striker breaks heads past an out-of-position goalie to score a goal from a corner, is it the goalie’s fault? Well, in part yes - he was caught out of position after all. But what about the player who was supposed to be marking that striker - where was he? Likewise, it’s not the fault of the centre halves that no pressure is being applied in the middle of the park or down the wings. No, defending is a team activity - Central Coast have known this for a while, and now Glory finally seem to be getting the message.
The above chart shows how Perth have steadily been improving their defending in 2009 (green line), to the point where they’ve conceded just one goal in the past three games. Even more encouraging, Glory haven’t conceded more than two goals in a game all year. Compare this with the first 16 games of 2008 (blue line) and you’ll see how far the team has come in a year. There wasn’t a single point in time last year where Perth could claim to have conceded only one goal during a three week period; but they’ve already accomplished that twice this season.
What a difference a quality centre back pairing makes. No doubt there are a number of people wincing while looking at last year’s figures; yours truly also couldn’t believe the team was that bad at first, but then the horrible, horrible memories came flooding back and my local psychiatrist is once again earning his keep. How could we ship five goals one week, three the next, keep a clean sheet the week after, and then go back to conceding four goals for the next two games? The mind boggles...
Tear Up The Script
If season 2009-2010 of the A-League is going to be remembered for one thing, I reckon it’ll be this: sheer unpredictability. ‘Tis the season to break hoodoos and defy expectations; from Wellington’s smashing of Gold Coast to ACL finalists Adelaide United being rock bottom after 16 rounds.
Perth Glory are no exception to this rule. Last year, an away trip to Gosford backed up by a home game against Brisbane would have been seen as an extremely tough assignment against two bogey teams; one that would be expected to yield maybe a point at most. This year, since beating Roar at Suncorp, the lads in purple seem to have lost the fear that once came with facing these teams. Perth obtained a point in Gosford on the weekend, and are now favourites to take all three against Roar, even amongst their own supporters. That’s quite an achievement when you consider the cynicism and resignation that Brisbane matches used to bring to the Glory faithful.
But it’s not just fans’ expectations that have been lifted, either. Owner Tony Sage, after pouring in a stack of money for transfers and wages this year, has set the club some ambitious targets in what is essentially a three-year plan:
2009-2010: Finals football for the first time in the A-League
2010-2011: 1st or 2nd in the A-League
2011-2012: Asian Champions League winners
As you can see, ‘Sagey’ doesn’t pull any punches. He’s committed to the club; but he demands success in return. It might sound a bit fanciful, but who would deny him this expectation? Some may beg to differ, but club owners aren’t in the game simply to make $2.50 of profit and increase their yearly sale of mangos. A mining magnate with strong ties in China and beyond, Sage sees big things in store for Australian football, and he sees Asia as the stage on which this story will play out.
Sage is no stranger to challenges, either - earlier this year he fought off a bid from Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich to take over his mining company Cape Lambert. Which means, in a way, that Perth Glory had a win over Chelsea FC. How many other A-League owners can claim that? Fulham? Pffft. We took on ‘big London’ and won; not some pissy little cottagers!
Shallow H A-L
Of course, if Sage wants Glory to conquer Asia, he’s got to have an army that is both talented and large enough to do the job (just ask Genghis Khan. Or the United States...). Certainly, there’s a lot to be said for strength in depth in this salary capped league of ours. On one end of the scale, you have the suspensions and injuries dealt to Gold Coast United which appeared to simply be too much for them to handle on the weekend. Likewise, North Queensland have struggled to field a competitive XI- especially in the early parts of the season - and they’ve been playing catch-up with their signings ever since.
Compare and contrast these sides with teams like Melbourne Victory and you soon see the differences. Victory pulled off their 4-0 thumping with what used to be their number one keeper on the bench, alongside a young gun in Dugandžic and a visa player in Sutee Suksomkit. They’ve even had the luxury of releasing an international striker so that he can “pursue first team football elsewhere”. All this while key midfielder Billy Celeski and his replacement signing are out of action.
To some extent, Glory have a good amount of depth too. Last year’s youth star Andrija Jukic has been unable to get game time of any real significance; Todd Howarth is proving it is possible to make the step up from the FootballWest Premier League to the A-League and look like you belong; and the flexibility of players like Mile Sterjovski, Adriano Pellegrino, and Victor Sikora means they can be rotated to plug various gaps in midfield and up front. There’s also an intriguing battle taking place between talented youngster Scott Neville and experienced defender Jamie Coyne for the right back position.
However, a few areas of concern remain, and these will need addressing before the team thinks of a serious assault on the A-League, let alone the ACL. Firstly, there isn’t really a decent replacement for either of the centre backs. Brent Griffiths has been played in youth matches all year, and even though Jamie Coyne isn’t really up to A-League standard in the centre of defence, he’s been the preferred replacement for his brother or Andy Todd. This becomes more of an issue as you realise that regular centre-back-cum-striker Jamie Harnwell is getting older, slower, and more injury-prone with every year. As much as I love Jamie, I wouldn’t be surprised if he hung up his boots at season’s end - especially if Glory crack the finals for the first time in the A-League.
Likewise, I don’t believe that Perth have enough depth in the striking department. Neither Sterjovski nor Sikora are out-and-out strikers, and one feels that Branko Jelic would like someone to share the load with. Eugene Dadi is a lost cause due to age, form, and the way the team plays when he’s on the pitch. Glory also lack a true playmaker in the middle of the park to hold possession and spot the crucial pass to open up the opposition. If Andrija Jukic isn’t going to be played in either of these roles, then you’ve got to ask what the point is of having him in the squad?
Jimmy Downey and Scott Bulloch are two other players fans feel are surplus to requirements. With Coyne and Neville fighting it out for right back ahead of Downey, and Bulloch a ‘trier’ but nothing else, surely these two and Dadi would be the first players out the door at season’s end? While losing these players is unlikely to free up a significant amount of the salary cap, at least the club could look to address their depth issues elsewhere on the park.
Finally, this week sees WA football celebrated in style at ME Bank Stadium. In addition to the Perth-Brisbane game on Sunday, there will also be an exhibition match between past Glory legends and former WA representatives. The match will include former Glory greats like Bobby Despotovski and current youth coach Gareth Naven, and if nothing else will be humorous to watch. If you’re thinking of coming to the game, I’d highly recommend coming early and seeing the legends match- the way these things normally work, Bobby’s team will end up winning after he casually scores an absolute screamer from the halfway line.
It makes you appreciate what we had in the past, and just how much we miss it now.
Mind you, the Perth defence didn’t exactly bring shame to themselves either. Andy Todd was his usual imperious self; Chris Coyne made Matt Simon look like a clueless schoolkid; and even the fullbacks put in a good effort. Much-maligned goalkeeper Tando Velaphi also put in another performance worthy of a clean sheet. Most importantly, the team defended as a unit - something they’ve struggled to do all year.
Clean Sheets and Clear Minds
It would be wrong to assume that, at any level of football, defending is the realm of the back three/four/five players alone. While these players certainly have the most to do, it is often the case that the difference between clean sheets and those of Paris Hilton is determined by the men in front of the defensive line. What’s more, defence is less about individual performances and more about team responsibility.
For example, if a striker breaks heads past an out-of-position goalie to score a goal from a corner, is it the goalie’s fault? Well, in part yes - he was caught out of position after all. But what about the player who was supposed to be marking that striker - where was he? Likewise, it’s not the fault of the centre halves that no pressure is being applied in the middle of the park or down the wings. No, defending is a team activity - Central Coast have known this for a while, and now Glory finally seem to be getting the message.
The above chart shows how Perth have steadily been improving their defending in 2009 (green line), to the point where they’ve conceded just one goal in the past three games. Even more encouraging, Glory haven’t conceded more than two goals in a game all year. Compare this with the first 16 games of 2008 (blue line) and you’ll see how far the team has come in a year. There wasn’t a single point in time last year where Perth could claim to have conceded only one goal during a three week period; but they’ve already accomplished that twice this season.
What a difference a quality centre back pairing makes. No doubt there are a number of people wincing while looking at last year’s figures; yours truly also couldn’t believe the team was that bad at first, but then the horrible, horrible memories came flooding back and my local psychiatrist is once again earning his keep. How could we ship five goals one week, three the next, keep a clean sheet the week after, and then go back to conceding four goals for the next two games? The mind boggles...
Tear Up The Script
If season 2009-2010 of the A-League is going to be remembered for one thing, I reckon it’ll be this: sheer unpredictability. ‘Tis the season to break hoodoos and defy expectations; from Wellington’s smashing of Gold Coast to ACL finalists Adelaide United being rock bottom after 16 rounds.
Perth Glory are no exception to this rule. Last year, an away trip to Gosford backed up by a home game against Brisbane would have been seen as an extremely tough assignment against two bogey teams; one that would be expected to yield maybe a point at most. This year, since beating Roar at Suncorp, the lads in purple seem to have lost the fear that once came with facing these teams. Perth obtained a point in Gosford on the weekend, and are now favourites to take all three against Roar, even amongst their own supporters. That’s quite an achievement when you consider the cynicism and resignation that Brisbane matches used to bring to the Glory faithful.
But it’s not just fans’ expectations that have been lifted, either. Owner Tony Sage, after pouring in a stack of money for transfers and wages this year, has set the club some ambitious targets in what is essentially a three-year plan:
2009-2010: Finals football for the first time in the A-League
2010-2011: 1st or 2nd in the A-League
2011-2012: Asian Champions League winners
As you can see, ‘Sagey’ doesn’t pull any punches. He’s committed to the club; but he demands success in return. It might sound a bit fanciful, but who would deny him this expectation? Some may beg to differ, but club owners aren’t in the game simply to make $2.50 of profit and increase their yearly sale of mangos. A mining magnate with strong ties in China and beyond, Sage sees big things in store for Australian football, and he sees Asia as the stage on which this story will play out.
Sage is no stranger to challenges, either - earlier this year he fought off a bid from Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich to take over his mining company Cape Lambert. Which means, in a way, that Perth Glory had a win over Chelsea FC. How many other A-League owners can claim that? Fulham? Pffft. We took on ‘big London’ and won; not some pissy little cottagers!
Shallow H A-L
Of course, if Sage wants Glory to conquer Asia, he’s got to have an army that is both talented and large enough to do the job (just ask Genghis Khan. Or the United States...). Certainly, there’s a lot to be said for strength in depth in this salary capped league of ours. On one end of the scale, you have the suspensions and injuries dealt to Gold Coast United which appeared to simply be too much for them to handle on the weekend. Likewise, North Queensland have struggled to field a competitive XI- especially in the early parts of the season - and they’ve been playing catch-up with their signings ever since.
Compare and contrast these sides with teams like Melbourne Victory and you soon see the differences. Victory pulled off their 4-0 thumping with what used to be their number one keeper on the bench, alongside a young gun in Dugandžic and a visa player in Sutee Suksomkit. They’ve even had the luxury of releasing an international striker so that he can “pursue first team football elsewhere”. All this while key midfielder Billy Celeski and his replacement signing are out of action.
To some extent, Glory have a good amount of depth too. Last year’s youth star Andrija Jukic has been unable to get game time of any real significance; Todd Howarth is proving it is possible to make the step up from the FootballWest Premier League to the A-League and look like you belong; and the flexibility of players like Mile Sterjovski, Adriano Pellegrino, and Victor Sikora means they can be rotated to plug various gaps in midfield and up front. There’s also an intriguing battle taking place between talented youngster Scott Neville and experienced defender Jamie Coyne for the right back position.
However, a few areas of concern remain, and these will need addressing before the team thinks of a serious assault on the A-League, let alone the ACL. Firstly, there isn’t really a decent replacement for either of the centre backs. Brent Griffiths has been played in youth matches all year, and even though Jamie Coyne isn’t really up to A-League standard in the centre of defence, he’s been the preferred replacement for his brother or Andy Todd. This becomes more of an issue as you realise that regular centre-back-cum-striker Jamie Harnwell is getting older, slower, and more injury-prone with every year. As much as I love Jamie, I wouldn’t be surprised if he hung up his boots at season’s end - especially if Glory crack the finals for the first time in the A-League.
Likewise, I don’t believe that Perth have enough depth in the striking department. Neither Sterjovski nor Sikora are out-and-out strikers, and one feels that Branko Jelic would like someone to share the load with. Eugene Dadi is a lost cause due to age, form, and the way the team plays when he’s on the pitch. Glory also lack a true playmaker in the middle of the park to hold possession and spot the crucial pass to open up the opposition. If Andrija Jukic isn’t going to be played in either of these roles, then you’ve got to ask what the point is of having him in the squad?
Jimmy Downey and Scott Bulloch are two other players fans feel are surplus to requirements. With Coyne and Neville fighting it out for right back ahead of Downey, and Bulloch a ‘trier’ but nothing else, surely these two and Dadi would be the first players out the door at season’s end? While losing these players is unlikely to free up a significant amount of the salary cap, at least the club could look to address their depth issues elsewhere on the park.
Finally, this week sees WA football celebrated in style at ME Bank Stadium. In addition to the Perth-Brisbane game on Sunday, there will also be an exhibition match between past Glory legends and former WA representatives. The match will include former Glory greats like Bobby Despotovski and current youth coach Gareth Naven, and if nothing else will be humorous to watch. If you’re thinking of coming to the game, I’d highly recommend coming early and seeing the legends match- the way these things normally work, Bobby’s team will end up winning after he casually scores an absolute screamer from the halfway line.
It makes you appreciate what we had in the past, and just how much we miss it now.
