great news we should be seeing more of this

Sammut Ready for the Roar

An injury last week to Perth Glory Youth midfielder James Sammut prevented him from making the trip to Adelaide United but the former Inglewood United youngster is fit and ready to go against Queensland Roar on Saturday.

He’s enjoying the challenge of the youth league and can’t wait for Saturday’s game. “Yes, I didn’t travel with the lads last week due to a muscle injury. It was a disappointing loss as I know the boys were going over with confidence and wanting to come home with all three points. I’ve trained close to full intensity all week and hopefully be back in the squad this week to take on the Roar,” said Sammut.

“It’s been great at the Glory this season, there’s been a high intensity all year round by all the boys, and I think we have improved immensely not only individually but as a team since we came together six months ago,” added Sammut.

The 20-year-old has made a big impact in the middle of the park for the Glory youth, making 13 appearances for Gareth Naven’s side and he hopes to continue on with his improvement. “I have played most of my time in the middle of the park this season but, I’ve also been played out wide from time to time. My solid season at Inglewood United last season helped me with the transition to the National youth league, where the pace of the game is much quicker, but I’m getting used to that now,” explained Sammut.

A number of the Glory youth side have made the step up to play in the senior side this season and Sammut hopes he can get the opportunity next season. “It would be really great to get a game in the senior side. I would like to think that I will get another contract next season and eventually make that next step to the first team,” said Sammut.

With only two games to go would the midfielder be heading back to Inglewood United for the 2009 Football West Premier League season? “To be honest I’m really not sure what the go is at the moment. At this stage I think I will go back to Inglewood and play the state league with them and then I guess just see what happens with the Glory youth and see if I am offered another contract,” explained Sammut.

Sammut was a member of the successful Inglewood side last season and gave a lot of the credit to Coach Lee Bamber. “We had a good season last year and Lee worked well with all the players and had us playing good football through out the season which got us into the top four. I know the coaches and players are working hard down there again this pre season to improve even more on last season’s results and performances.

Bamber was delighted with Sammut’s form last season at the Clipsal Stadium side and his continuation with it at the Glory Youth. “He’s a young lad learning his trade who continually strives to better himself, his work rate and commitment is second to none. He’s got a deserved opportunity at the Glory to try and break into the pro game but if it doesn’t happen this season we’ll sit down with him and look at which areas of his game he needs to improve to make the step up,” said Bamber.

A trip overseas in 2007 gave Sammut a look what is needed to play at the top level and it was a great experience for the then 18-year old. “I travelled to the UK for a couple of months to train with Portsmouth and West Ham United. It was a great experience and played matches over there for both teams which was great. I would always consider going back overseas to play football but at the moment I’m enjoying my football in Australia and hopefully more opportunities will come my way to make it to the next level,” said Sammut.

For Bamber, who was at the Manchester United academy a few years ago, he believes Sammut has to work hard on his game, and then the chance to play at a higher level will come to fruition. “James went over to England for trials a couple of seasons ago, so knows what the standard is like. The problem is that the competition for places is so great that a club will only take a chance on you if you’re so much better than the players they already have.

“That doesn’t mean to say James couldn’t play professional over there, but you need a bit of luck to get the break you need and then it’s even harder to stay there, Nick Ward is a prime example,” explained Bamber.

Yeah, I saw that article as well, I was going to make a thred about it, but I saw that you'd already done one. Fully sick if it happens.

are Everton coming on tour to Australia?
Thats 2 clubs that have been linked to playing them!

New Perth Glory manager Ante Kovacevic tips tough times ahead

NEW Perth Glory football manager Ante Kovacevic believes it will be even harder for the WA side to qualify for a maiden finals appearance next season.

The former Glory defender will next month begin a newly created role as Perth's football operations/team manager.

Kovacevic will focus primarly on player welfare duties and logistical challenges, particularly involving the 13 away fixtures Glory will play in the expanded 10-team, 27 regular season game competition.

He predicted the inclusion of Gold Coast and North Queensland would make life in the A-League tougher, but said his appointment heralded the dawning of a new level of professionalism at the club.

"There's two new teams coming in next year so it will be even more dificult," he said.

"I've always wanted to see them make the finals ... hopefully my role can lead to that, helping players settle in to ensure it brings out the best in their football."

Kovacevic, a veteran of 276 NSL and A-League games, including 32 for Perth, believed his role was an important one.

Wow a Perth supporters thread. Now we have an NJ, MV, QR, GCU and AU ones around. C'mon the rest of you blokes ya letting us down!

Kovacevic appointment a very good one for me... the club needs more "football" heads in the backroom. Not the likes of Gooch, Sage, etc trying to run a team that plays a game they don't even understand.

Well SFC doesn't have any fans so they can't have one!

I'll try and keep it updated like Gaz does with the Gold Coast. :)

A seperate sub-section to the forums with all team threads so people can consistantly be updated with whats happening with thier team instead of the orignal thread dissapearing down the ranks as the articles come in?

A seperate sub-section to the forums with all team threads so people can consistantly be updated with whats happening with thier team instead of the orignal thread dissapearing down the ranks as the articles come in?

KA work your magic. And an added idea put a link to the threads from the clubs pages on the website!

Here, Here! C'mon everyone likes their own club threads dont they?

And some other club's as well!

Hey you've got my support too! =d>

cause there's no real PGFC stories today i want to find out who people think is Perth Glory's biggest rival?

I'd have to say Newcastle, dislike them very much.

Team full of cnuts.