lol! Indeed! :lol: =d>



Add to that more context - we well arguably, 'overspent' on those squads, spent amongst the most in the league, if not THE most, INCLUDING instigating the change in the Marquee rule, to add a second Marquee!!

So those years we scraped into finals and what not - with teams with much cheaper squads like Mariners, but who were much superior performers, our so-called 'star studded' and costly teams on paper, were in practice, no more than also rans.

To say Sage's teams during the era he speaks of, lacked the 'bang for buck' is an understatement!!

And even he recognises that - scathing of Sterjovski and his increased form/motivation post-leaving the club, regretful over the said spending on salaries and half-arsed attempts to 'cost cut' though a remarkable exception was made for Gallas - which he, inevitably in-turn, also regrets in hindsight!

Pre-Gallas, Edwards' squad was not only one of the most promisingly competitive teams in Glory's A-League history, but also amongst one of it's cheapest since the Ron Smith/FFA Management days!! So much irony and what not, happening at Glory - hard to know where to start. But most of the expensive players at Glory are also incidentally most of the 'liabilities' in Glory's teams and that's been the case for seasons now, likes of Sterjovski included!

I'm not a Liberal voter - But Joe Hockey and co would be calling 'Waste, Waste, Waste' till the cows came home, in regards to Glory!

Cue the overdue 'cost-benefit analysis'!

Edited by GloryPerth: 13/3/2014 06:10:17 AM

Meanwhile ......... (will this be Archie's last visit to Perth Oval ?)

Saturday, 15 March 2014
[size=6]Perth Glory v Melbourne Victory[/size]nib Stadium , Perth
Kick-off: 6:30pm local (9:30pm AEDT)
Referee: Shaun Evans
Assistant Referee 1: Mathew Cheeseman
Assistant Referee 2: Josh Mannella
Fourth Official: David Bruce

Perth Glory Squad:
2.Jack CLISBY, 3.Brandon O’NEILL, 4.Ryan EDWARDS 5.Rostyn GRIFFITHS, 7.This is very much my CLUB, 8.Nebojsa MARINKOVIC,10.Jamie MACLAREN, 14.Steven McGARRY, 16.Sidnei SCIOLA MORAES, 17.Chris HAROLD, 18.Jack DUNCAN (gk), 19.Josh RISDON, 20.Daniel DE SILVA, 24.Matthew DAVIES, 23.Michael THWAITE, 28.Darvydas SERNAS, 36.William GALLAS, 39.Luke RADONICH (gk)
**two to be omitted**
Ins:
4. Ryan EDWARDS (promoted),
25. Riley WOODCOCK (promoted)
Outs:
9. Shane SMELTZ (injury)
Unavailable:
Travis DODD (knee - indefinite), Scott JAMIESON (Achilles - indefinite), Shane SMELTZ (groin- 2 weeks)

Melbourne Victory squad:
1.Nathan COE (gk), 2.Pablo CONTRERAS, 3.Adama TRAORE, 4.Nick ANSELL, 5.Mark MILLIGAN, 6.Leigh BROXHAM (c), 7.Gui FINKLER, 9.Kosta BARBAROUSES, 10.Archie THOMPSON, 14.James TROISI, 16.Rashid MAHAZI, 17.James JEGGO, 20.Lawrence THOMAS (gk), 21.Tom ROGIC, 22.Jesse MAKAROUNAS, 24.Scott GALLOWAY, 25.Jason GERIA, 26.Jordan BROWN
**Two to be omitted**
Ins:
3.Adama TRAORE (returns from injury), 4.Nick ANSELL (returns from suspension), 5.Mark MILLIGAN (returns from international duty), 21.Tom ROGIC (returns from international duty)
Outs:
11.Connor PAIN (omitted), 31.Dylan MURNANE (omitted)
Unavailable:
23.Adrian LEIJER (facial fractures – TBC)

FFA/ALeague/Glory website all say 6.30pm kickoff, Glory's email says 6.45pm.

If it kicks off early, take a chance with grabbing the extra beer at the pub till 6.45pm as may be more enjoyable that watching the first 15 minutes.
Who knows?

Or the first of many, as Sage offers him a 5-year contract on an Australian-record marquee wage to replace Smeltz then touts it as a brave new direction for the club to re-invigorate and set the foundations for the future or some bullshit.

Then midway through next season says it was all Kenny Lowe's idea.

I'm going to laugh but the scary part is something like that could happen.

=d> =d> =d>

@Shanagar,

Perth Glory just needs to hide all the balls until 6:45 to prevent kick-off before they're ready

Yeah, we're a just big pack of painsluts over here.

Dont know why everyone is so pissed off with the season, http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/perthglory/news-display/merchandise-sales-update/88133 we are breaking merchandise sales...

Yep, thankyou.
Who cares that we've won 5 of 22 matches, who cares that we've smashed in less than a goal a game, get reasonable people, the shirt's pretty and sales are up.
I'm sure the owner and CEO can mention this in their support of what a successful club we are.

The shirts are the only positive out of this season.

Just think fellas, everyday is one day closer to Jamieson coming back.

And on a brighter note, has Berisha even outdone his performance against us?

Referees decisions aside, and the Fox commentary lovefest for him, he really was like the proverbial goldfish flapping about out of water.
Just funny to watch.

And which perhaps sums up how much I wonder about today.
Thompson, Troisi, the Finkman and Rogic up against us, so here's hoping for some surprises.

Lowe would have to be happy with a low scoring draw if we got that, especially with Smeltz out - I can't see where the goals are going to come from.

Maclaren has to take the bull by the horns here and show he can score; he needs to show something to get more game time, because getting more game time is the only way he's going to improve at this level. Maybe put him on the wing and stick Harold up front?

No idea who is going to be our midfield three this time but bloody hell they've got to close down Rogic and Finkler better than they did last time.

Am I correct in remembering that the WA themed shirt was meant to debut against Victory today? Appears it's been pushed back to a game against the Central Coast, correct? Is there anything this club organises in the time frame they originally announce it in?

Why debut it against Victory when you can do it against the Mariners when the kits will clash! Home or away kit for the Mariners will probably clash.

Wouldn't mind seeing Maclaren on the wing and Harold up front. Unlikely though.

IMO, reasonable first 30min, but relied too much on effort (eg CB's getting forward etc...) rather than just good structure and we got scrappier as game went on. A few good patches second half, but pretty inconsistent. At least a lot more passing going on - but we still often just rely on crossing it in for a header on goal. Still have players getting in each other's way and not really knowing how to move the ball around.

Davies had a bit of a nightmare - a lot seemed to bounce badly for him. Griffiths should be playing true DM, not CM. He doesn't have the skill-set for it, but is forced to play there to accommodate Burns. Makes Nebo's job a lot harder as fewer players to combine with.

I thought Duncan looked reasonable... ... although of course he knocked out De Silva with a clearance during the warm up, which is a point against him.

Maclaren looks very sharp, but I think as other's have said, it may be his first touch is a problem, he seem's to try to jink around the defender with his first touch and it never seems to come off.

Improvement still steady, but snail paced. Can't see us getting off the bottom - which may be a good thing if it prompts a rethink about certain players/coaching staff for next year.

How did Burns play tonight? Back to his perennial best?....:lol:

I didn't think we played too badly. Well, compared to some of the games. thought the loss was harsh, a point would have sufficed.

Thought that was Griffiths' best game so far. Clisby and Thwaite were good. Duncan did well when he was needed, the goals weren't his fault. Nebo was solid as well. Burns played ok in parts, but the guy is just not quick enough for the league anymore.

Burns has put in more effort the last few weeks. Part of his all out media blitz to win over the disaffected.

Didn't think he got around the park as much as in the last 2 weeks - but perhaps he was busy giving Rogic a physical and verbal work out.

I'd agree that it probably was Griffth's best game, he's obviously getting quite close to reasonably fit. However, the problems persist at times, and I think he would be MUCH better in the true DM spot.

Edited by GloryB: 16/3/2014 12:55:10 AM

Both teams were dire and the result didn't feel harsh to me. But then again I didn't feel much watching the game in the first place :S

They try to play Griffiths as Burns-lite at #8. It's never going to work. Soul-destroying when you know how good he can play.

Defence was a shambles tonight compared to other games. Davies/Gallas breakdown in communication resulted in Davies giving away a cheap penalty, then for the second goal no one was zoning off which meant Clisby got taken out of position and Gallas(!) has to run after Archie.

Attacking third is still a mess. Still trying to cross it in to the head of Maclaren as Plan A. Are we really still surprised that doesn't work?

Old-schoolers are still crying out for Glory to play 2 up front, which I disagree with. In the modern game you don't need more than one striker. The fact no other team plays like this (even Wellington/Newcastle use Brockie/Taggart as wingers/inside forwards) should be indication enough. What Glory need to do is get support to the lone striker and have a working midfield that can set up attacking plays. When your wingers are just wingers and your #10 is running around like a headless chicken then of course things will fuck up because there's no one going into space.

Glory also need to learn that it is ok to get the ball into the opposition's box. For all their pressing of players forward (early first half/last 15 in second) the only way the ball was going in there was a long range, off-target shot or an aimless cross.

Kenny's tactics were again uninspiring, just like his substitutions. Zahra having to play in a different strip because...? Classy professionalism once again from Glory. No doubt they have a 'legitimate' excuse (a dingo stole our press machine!).

Those old-schoolers are likely one of a number of Brit Expats whose tactical knowledge is as informed/up to date as the last time Liverpool topped the old English First Division!

Indeed, the solution is both not soo immediately obvious to the regular punter, but same time, also relatively obvious to those who observe not only Glory but the wider A-League - as we do! The differences between Glory and their A-League rivals have been chalk and cheese since almost the A-League's inception and the gap has only grown in the last few seasons - this DESPITE their impressive Grand Final run under Fergie, a couple seasons ago.

It's clearly all about the coaching and the club somehow stumbled onto a good thing with Edwards then, as quickly, somehow threw that all away. They really must adjust their sights, somehow, and put more emphasis, value, on the coaching appointment, or else, suffer not unlike Sydney FC do, right now. There must be a philosophy of the club, a coach appointment who's system/approach plays to that philosophy and the group of players executing to the demands of that system and club philosophy. That's what Ange, Gombau, Arnie, Mulvey and others have done at their clubs and that's the clear method of success.

We 'ill-informed' plebs out here in the West are overdue our gourmet serving of the evolving palette-ary delights that are emerging over East. We are missing out while our rivals strive ever more forward, leading examples of the coaching and playing progress in this country - leading the league and now impressing at ACL level! We can't remain a backwater, especially tactically, forever. We've been dished up the remains, left overs and second rate servings far too long!

Edited by GloryPerth: 16/3/2014 02:40:31 AM

So how did the whole splitting of active support go for you? It looked like now instead of one ok kinda full end, you have two shite and pretty much empty ends.

Yep it was very shit. But we are used to shit

We were playing shit under Edwards as well, arguably slightly less shit but still shit.

Things is, that may well be, but under Edwards the team had direction, the team had a plan for after this season, and they were implementing it. Now under Lowe we have no direction, a manager out of his depth, two VISA players signed so they can push for finals and get results...except those results are now worse than under Ali, all at the cost of the direction and plan the club had before.

No fights or thrown bottles, so in that sense it's worked.

Kenny Lowe blaming the kids again, FFS.

Ali's Record this season: 10 games, 3 wins, 3 draws, 4 losses 12 points from 60 points
Kenny's Record this season: 13 games, 2 wins, 4 draws, 7 losses 10 points from 69 points