So I'm told, I haven't seen much of them though. Your thoughts?

I notice on Wikipedia that some random has added NYL players Devon Spence and Andy Higgins to the senior list.

Devon Spence makes logical sense - We speculated here that a third GKer would be sourced from the NYL squad - either Spence or Franken. Seems the older Spence is the one, or will be?

But given it's Wikipedia - I see no sources, have we heard anything about this? Higgins seems a promising player and I'm surprised he wasn't signed to the senior squad from get-go, straight from the plane from Portsmouth FC.

Higgins would be ANOTHER young central midfielder to the equation though. IF so, then seems less and less likely Edwards would opt to utilise another squad place, let alone VISA spot, on a centre mid?



Yeah, add them to your list Eastern Glory.

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/perthglory/news-display/glory-legend-welcomes-young-stars/62355

Edited by GloryPerth: 30/6/2013 12:32:27 AM

GK:
Vukovic, Duncan

LB:
Jamieson, R. Woodcock

CB:
Thwaite, Pantalidis, Clisby, *VISA*

RB:
Risdon, M. Davies

DM:
Burns, O'Neil, Edwards

AM:
McGarry, Da Silva, Cernak,

W: *VISA* , Harold, Zahra, Dodd (Inj - He's still contracted, counts to squad - less Glory get an 'Injury Replacement Player'?)

ST:
Smeltz, Makeche, *VISA*

= 23 players?

Though Ryan Williams has been 'rumoured' via loan from Fulham? He can play either flank.

Spence and Higgins seem random Wikipedia inclusions and will be removed if they remain without a reference. With Higgins being born 1993, he 'may' remain with the NYL squad? Spence, being born 1991, may be either promoted to the senior squad or on his way out? Young CB Ryan Lowry might see promotion during the season, IF Glory suffer another injury crisis at CB! A young striker like Harry O'Brien could see elevation for similar reasons upfront in the strike rotation?

We all also suspect that the likes of Dodd, Panta and EVEN Smeltz are heading into their last seasons at Glory. So, I believe, players like they might easily be supplanted by younger players by Ali Edwards, should they not be performing to task or suffer injury or suspension and/or are seen to be 'on the way out' anyway! Ali Edwards' youth revolution has only just begun and I bet we'll see more fruits of it's implementation, during this season?

Actually Burns is already 35 turning 36 near year, he will surely be close to retiring or dropping from the scene, especially if his injuries increase?

Edited by GloryPerth: 30/6/2013 12:52:31 AM

They're going to be backups at best. From what I've heard, Woodcock is a better talent but we'll see.

There's also Roux from the youth team who had a spell with the Seniors last season, he'll be right back cover so plenty of options there.

I think Harold at GCU was more of a LW than RW but we'll see.

Definitely need a LW, CB, another winger, striker and attacking mid. Fill with visa spots as opportunity arises


EDIT - the two young fullbacks don't count towards the 23, read the tweets on other page.

Should also see McGarry retire next year. Great clubman and character but definitely getting on a bit!

So the fullbacks are only on 'NYL contracts' then? :s Confusing, with the contract announcement, like that article, with jerseys presented by Scott Miller and what not, presumed they were signed to pro contracts in the senior squad, as two of the 'three required players Under 20 years of age'.

FYI Roux and Quaqua were only short term signings till the end of last season, not unlike Cordoba? It would make sense they are no longer with the squad, they'd both be extraneous players and also filling up the limited squad space. See the article, from when their signings were announced:

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/perthglory/news-display/quaqua-and-roux-added/59471

Though it confuses as to whether those two are STILL NYL players? I presume that perhaps they aren't, as they may be too old and the short-term deals may have been a last opportunity for them to try and crack the senior squad?

The NYL squads have an age cap in the early 20s somewhere (Under 23? or 21?), with the exception of 3-4 senior/overage players who can drop down from the senior squad. That's ontop of players already of eligible age range in the senior squad, like the three designated Under 20s.

Harold is a talented young attacking player. Scored a goal or two with GCU too. He can play either flank like Zahra can too, I presume. In Harold's case, iirc, he may be a right footer, so when he's on the left he cuts inside. Infact iirc he played such a role with GCU and it was through cutting inside he scored one of his goals?

But yeah, we may prefer a natural left footer as first choice LW, like Nagai was. They keep the width and can cross in from the byline, as opposed to players who may cut inside and cramp the central area of the field. Going by late last season, Edwards will surely be seeking a natural left winger with a VISA spot, if/when it's clear Nagai can't be re-secured.

Edited by GloryPerth: 30/6/2013 02:58:54 AM

I am quite positive that last season Newcastle and Brisbane and probably some other teams had done the same thing because they technically had 24/25 players. The main squad (the 23) must have 3 under/20 players or w/e the rule is. On top of that, they are allowed to give out full time contracts to three NYL players, which is what I think Shayne Hope was talking about which means Woodcock and Davies don't fall under the 23 players cap for the Seniors.

AFAIK, Storm and Quaqua were making use of that last year, or they could have just been training with the Senior squad simply for cover, which was needed.

I am the 2nd coming.

You know what they say about gamblers and what they tell you about? :D

:lol: :lol: :lol:

I'm expecting a call from Tom Waterhouse at 7am tomorrow.

Just looked at the photos of Perth's first preseason training today, interesting to note that Glory NYL centre forward Harry O'Brien and prodigal son Dean Evans was also training with the side!!!

Nice to hear former Glory NYL player Dean Evans is getting a second chance then?

And wd Eastern Glory for making the call to sign McLaren and seems Edwards has duly done so!

Not a West Aussie talent, but a good young talent just the same!

Looks like the cover upfront may be mostly youth too!

BTW fellas, Storm Roux has been linked to the Mariners.

real shame for glory not to use him, I thought he was excellent when ahead of scott neville, and would be great in front of risdon playing behind Harold.

Really stoked by the quality of young players Ali Edwards is bringing in... with his background you have to believe he'll give them all a chance as well.

Hopefully there's going to be room in the salary cap now for a couple of real quality players (either locally or from abroad)... would love to see a marquee CM to come in from overseas plus Garcia and a quality Aussie CB from somewhere. Build a strong spine and surround it with energetic young players.

Anyone got any inside info on whether Smeltz is definitely staying? I was kind of hoping he'd move on so we could bring in a striker more suitable to Edwards's style of play (and probably save some money as well).

I expect some teething problems this year for Glory with this young squad.

Fans will need to keep the faith, because in the long term this will pay off on the field and with transfers.

Just hope people see this for what it is and not kick Edwards out when they are not getting the results.

They're only 8 years behind what the Mariners have been doing since day dot.

Edited by hotrod: 2/7/2013 01:01:49 PM

+1. Assuming Edwards plays a fairly youthful team, we just have to be patient. It's not going to come together like that. And they won't be dominating teams week in week out either.

Tony Sage is on a cost cutting bender and he wants long term glory for the team so even with bad results and poor season this year I can see Edwards progressing to the following season.

I think this year is going to be about settling the team and blooding the young players and worst case scenario push hard the following season.

As far as fans go most A league supporters are a fickle bunch but the core 5000 members will hang around at least I feel.

If they manage to get Garcia back (which I think they will) and sign another solid CB (visa or not) with a creative MFer (on a visa) then Glory will be vary sekksy.

Any developments on Nagai from insiders?

No expectations for this upcoming season except to see the squad attempt to play well and to AE's system. Like all bottom clubs, should probably target 6th as a realistic target.

Has this article been mentioned?

Brazilian striker forks out for Glory trial



http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/a/-/soccer/17823035/brazilian-sidnei-sciola-moraes-pays-own-way-trial-with-perth-glory/

A Left-sided winger. His resume isn't exactly thrilling though.

Apparently coming back but no details past that. Journo on twitter claimed that Sage said Nagai was returning during the whole marquee fiasco.

If there are any two sources I don't trust it's Sage and journo's :lol:

There is a thread on him in the rumour mill.

Looks like he played a year in 2nd div in Portugal for Boavista in 2008/9 who were in financial trouble. They stayed up on points, but were relegated to 3rd div for financial problems and so he left for Rio Ave in the Portuguese 1st div and made plenty of appearances the first year, but only 9 in the second and then moved on and spent the last year in Cyprus, playing for two different clubs.

Edited by GloryB: 2/7/2013 06:13:38 PM

I'd have to agree with you on that.

Such a shame as the horses mouth of Perth Glory would be Sage, but he is always wrong lol.

Indeed. That's all it takes. The young talent is quite talented too and some of them will have building experience behind them - De Silva has experience of last season and the recent U20 World Cup. Ditto MacLaren, and in his case, the seasons he spent with Blackburn Rovers Reserves and Under 21 level recent times. So not exactly promotees straight fresh from the NYL team or AIS.



x2, though as Hotrod said, it only takes a couple more quality signings in key areas and that changes. Especially with the better balance of a strong, experienced core/spine combined with more talented youth surrounding.

A growing lethal combo. And unlike past seasons, IF Edwards can hang onto the De Silva's, Risdon's, Harold's, Clisby's etc and build them up, then they will no longer be 'babes' but quality experienced, A-League pros - heck, Risdon already is!



lol Guys.

FWIW - It will be reflected by/IF Glory end up utilising a VISA spot on a winger, like how Edwards is trialling that Brazilian now. IF Edwards sees the need to plump a VISA spot on a winger that ISN'T Nagai, then we can safely presume that the Nagai deal may be dead?

Also, Nagai, in the end, 'is only a loan' - So IF Edwards can find atleast as good as Nagai but via permanent signing from elsewhere, then it won't be so bad moving on! :cool: But 'atlest as good as Nagai' is the stickler, that bar is kind of high, especially for A-League clubs in past seasons. But we can have faith in Edwards. Nagai was a signing of Fergie afterall - wasn't that bad in the end, despite Fergie never playing him! Edwards may well have the chance to spot better - pressure on him to do so, IF need be!

Edited by GloryPerth: 2/7/2013 11:29:32 PM

On CBs, I mentioned this before, but Adrian Madaschi's 2 season contract with his K-League club is due to end January 2014 (Source = Jan 2012 to Jan 2014). The window for negotiating is within six months of the end of a contract, isn't it? So unless Madaschi and his club have negotiated an extension we aren't aware of, Glory could have an opportunity to negotiate with Madaschi as soon as next month?! Heck, might be able to sign him sooner, through a mutual release, if it's true that he hasn't featured for the club much this season, going by VoR's Aussie Abroad updates and here. Yeap, only featured once in the last 2 months and has featured only 6 times out of 15 or more Jeju games this season.

Former Heart team mates (Both West Aussies), Garcia and Madaschi follow each other on Twitter, so IF we sign Garcia, that may entice the signing of Madaschi even further?! ;) :cool:

He would be the best Aussie CB recruit since Chris Coyne and at this age range, could play for the next few seasons! He and Thwaite partnered would be 'beast'!

Edited by GloryPerth: 2/7/2013 11:42:44 PM

=d> =d> =d>
You're a legend GP! That'd be incredible, it's almost the kind of thing you'd wanna tweet to Edwards just to make sure he's aware :lol:
If we got those two and a LW, I'd be confident of a top two finish this year.

I hope Edwards, who has indeed mentioned 'Quality West Aussie talent' being out there, who he wants to 'return home' - hopefully he has an eye on more 'West Aussies Abroad' than just UK-based youngsters like this Under 20s crop, which he's signed two (De Silva and Maclaren) and been linked with atleast two more (Ryan Williams and/or his son Ryan Edwards via loan moves).

Madaschi ticks all the boxes in regards to needs, squad demands, quality and even 'club ethos' Edwards and Glory seek these days.

Only slight set back may be IF Glory have 'cap room'? But with all the squad changes and out going players, lack of VISA players etc... surely Glory does!

Glory leave for South Africa soon-ish don't they? I'm not entirely au fait with these things, but IF Glory were to snap up Madaschi, then it would surely be one of those 'late in pre-season signings' like cira September or so? And again that may be only possible via a negotiated 'mutual early release' a couple monts prior to contract end, between Madaschi and his K-League club?

I may be jumping the gun a little though - firstly, we can't tell just what his status is at his K-League team - IS it injury or good form of those infront, keeping him out of the First XI? And indeed, he may've signed an extension to his deal at some point over there, which hasn't been made apparent over here?

Anybody on Twitter? He's on Twitter, here:

https://twitter.com/AdrianMadaschi

Perhaps a Glory fan on Twitter could just, straight up, ask him about his 'contract scenario' in the K-League?

Hopefully we DO sign Richard Garcia and then he can put 'the quiet word in' for his 'former Heart team mate' to Edwards and co, at just the right time? Going by his Twitter feed, Garcia and Madaschi have been in touch recent times too, so this shows, I presume, that they'll both be in the loop for each other's goings on, football wise atleast?!

Heck, in a way, it's kind of having your cake and eating it too - as you are right EG - Glory would be instant title contenders with just the addition of Garcia alone!

Edited by GloryPerth: 4/7/2013 04:00:48 AM

Eugh, I hate it when "Perth Glory" and "title contenders" are put together. I swear we have been touted as title contenders nearly half of the seasons so far. It shows far too little respect to our opposition and assigns far too much weight to the value of individual players than the functionality of the team.

We have a new coach, new tactics and radically new personell. Please keep it realistic- Performing well, developing the team and players into the style and structure we want and providing a launching pad for the future should be what we are reaching for. Mid table is as lofty as I'd want to set our level of hype.