God what a depressing season it's been. After a mostly bright start - impressive new kit, new approach by the club, and some interesting signings., it's all fallen away.

Not that there weren't warning signs - Córdoba non-signing not making sense to many, Italian 'marquee' fiasco, rumours before the season already about grumbles in the playing group, and the old field style from Edward's team not quite living up to expectations.

Club has gone full retard now though. Style and game plan awful in results and awful to watch, over the hill players in power positions, no generational change past those forced on the club, language that comes out of the club hilarious at times - particularly when bottom of the table teams make us look crap. Urgh.

You had trouble counting so had go through it for you.

So you deny my original comment and think that Tony wasn't an Owner or responsible for those earlier signings?

I don't care what filter you run through afterwards, the facts are the facts.

You can ignore Ron Smith all you like, he and Sage were both at the club at the same. Just like he appointed Guiliani and Boardman, who are STILL at the club.

But Sage is our Saviour. Long live the Messiah!

Already thinking about next season. Sick of this season :lol:

Club has ruined what little traces of optimism I have left. I doubt things will start heading in the right direction that quickly, 15/16 at the earliest >_>

Madaschi, Kilkenny and a new coach would be a ripper of a start. A midfield marquee would also be very handy.
Maclaren will come good, mark my words. Especially with Kilkenny behind him, it's hard to find a midfielder who picks the runs of quick strikers better than Kilkenny.

I'll keep a spare chair out and the cleaning-grade ethanol on ice so you can join me on the pessimist side when only Madaschi is signed, Lowe is given a 3 year deal and puts out a midfield trio of Burns, McGarry and Griffiths :lol:

I'm already a pessimist, that's why I don't talk about this season anymore :lol:
As a Glory fan, Pre-season is my favourite time of year :lol:

Madaschi, Kilkenny and a new coach would be a ripper of a start. A midfield marquee would also be very handy.
Maclaren will come good, mark my words. Especially with Kilkenny behind him, it's hard to find a midfielder who picks the runs of quick strikers better than Kilkenny.

You had trouble counting so had go through it for you.

So you deny my original comment and think that Tony wasn't an Owner or responsible for those earlier signings?

I don't care what filter you run through afterwards, the facts are the facts.

You can ignore Ron Smith all you like, he and Sage were both at the club at the same. Just like he appointed Guiliani and Boardman, who are STILL at the club.

But Sage is our Saviour. Long live the Messiah!

I watch the Glory games on Foxtel each week and I can safely say we are the most boring team in the A-League. Although we are consistent. Our defence is really what keeps us in games, but we sacrifice too much in attack to keep a tight defence.

In attack we lack any creativity (especially in the middle). Smeltz is a finisher ... you put it near the goal for him and he’ll score. We should be one of the highest scoring teams in the comp, not equal last. Sidnei and Harold (and wing backs) provide the only penetration for the team, and most of this they have to manufacture themselves.

We should have one defensive midfield (McGarry) and then some creative flair in front of him (the defence shouldn’t need the whole midfield to help them out with every attack … if the midfield instead held the ball and attacked the defenders would have less to do). This is a pet annoyance of mine in my team too. I play the holding midfield role, and stay quite defensive. But our defenders scream at everyone else when we are attacked. We play with four defenders and a defensive midfielder, and most teams against us only play 2 forwards. If five people can’t hold up 2 players there is something wrong. Glory deploy six players to hold 2 forwards (or in some circumstances 1 forward). No wonder they struggle in front of goal, most their team is sitting back defending when the ball is at their feet.

Come good in what exactly ?

I have time for Maclaren, be it as a striker or wide forward (pick a spot etc - same with Clisby)

Why? Because people didn't really have time for Taggart, then a club bothered to give him an extended run in the first team, and this year people are screaming about the fact that we let him go #-o :roll:

It might not work out the same way for Maclaren but I think that's young footballers for you - some are rough diamonds and some just stay rough. You need to give them time to find out.

I'll type slowly for you if that'll help.


Since Sage took full/sole control of the club we have moved forward. (finals appearances, Membership numbers crowds etc)

Smith was not a sage appointment so you cannot blame him for that.

Paul Kelly served as CEO for three years and Boardman filled in before Brewer started, hardly unheard off in the buisness world.

Do you not believe that in the last 4 years the club is being better run of the pitch? The Glory Junoirs programme? The Club Link Programme? Community clinics? Involvement with FWNTC?

Edited by Begbie: 10/2/2014 06:52:24 PM

I have time for Maclaren, be it as a striker or wide forward (pick a spot etc - same with Clisby)

Why? Because people didn't really have time for Taggart, then a club bothered to give him an extended run in the first team, and this year people are screaming about the fact that we let him go d'oh! Roll eyes

It might not work out the same way for Maclaren but I think that's young footballers for you - some are rough diamonds and some just stay rough. You need to give them time to find out.

Shane Smeltz will stay at Glory

Perth Glory chief Tony Sage is confident the club can hang on to prize goalscoring asset Shane Smeltz amid on-going discussions over a new deal for the A-League’s all-time top scorer.

Smeltz is seeking a two-year extension to stay in the west, while Glory is remaining coy over the length of the contract being offered to the 32-year-old New Zealand international.

Smeltz’s 76 goals in 128 A-League appearances have him just out in front of Melbourne Victory’s Archie Thompson on 74.

Though restricted to just three run outs from nine appearances so far in an injury-marred 2013-2014 season, Smeltz remains a hot property with Brisbane Roar keen to snare him as a replacement for Melbourne Victory-bound Besart Berisha.

A number of other A-League clubs are thought to be monitoring the situation.

But Sage believes that Smeltz, who has struck 27 goals in 54 games for Glory, will not be going anywhere.

“We have offered Shane a new contract and talks are continuing with him and his management,” said the resources tycoon.

“I don’t think he wants to leave us. I feel he wants to be a part of what we’re building at this club and we certainly want to keep him and see him back to his best after serious of injuries which have held him back over the past months.

“He’s been quite unlucky in that regard but hopefully that’s behind him now and we will see him getting back to what he’s best at – scoring goals – between now and the end of the season. That’s what we need as a club.

“His record speaks for itself and he’s still one of the most dangerous strikers in the league.

“We’ve been talking for a couple of weeks now – and we’re expecting to come to an agreement soon.”

On the length of the deal on offer, Sage added: “Everything is up for negotiation but we think he’ll still be a Glory player next year.

“It’s my understanding that he hasn’t spoken to any other clubs yet – I think all he wants to do now is get out there and play regularly after all the setbacks he’s had in recent times.”

The future of caretaker coach Kenny Lowe also remains up in the air, with Sage confirming the club has placed an advertisement seeking a long-term replacement for Alistair Edwards who was sacked in December.

“We always said that would be the case and we have received a lot of CVs,” he added.

“Nothing will be decided until well into March and of course Kenny is in the mix.

“He’s very enthusiastic in the way he goes about the job and he wants to be here for the long haul.”

Despite a season of upheaval, Sage said Glory would qualify for the finals.

It is currently two points out of the play-off spots in eighth place with 21 points. Glory’s next game is Saturday’s visit to dysfunctional Sydney FC.

“We've had to play a lot of kids this year but we’ve significantly strengthened the team in the January transfer window and we have shown we can match it with the top sides,” he added.

“I am certain we'll be there in the finals once again this year – and in those games anything can happen.

“But we’ll have to do it the hard way to get there, because five of our last nine games are on the road and it’s been traditionally tough for us to pick up points when we travel.”

Not sure about this.

I have time for Maclaren, be it as a striker or wide forward (pick a spot etc - same with Clisby)

Why? Because people didn't really have time for Taggart, then a club bothered to give him an extended run in the first team, and this year people are screaming about the fact that we let him go #-o :roll:

It might not work out the same way for Maclaren but I think that's young footballers for you - some are rough diamonds and some just stay rough. You need to give them time to find out.

Can't see Smeltz wanting to stay with all the s*** off field and him running around chasing hopeless causes up front when he could be at Roar winning titles and feeding off a dominant midfield.

people didnt have time for Taggart....you mean Fergie and his jesters right?

The fans I know , including myself, who watched him in the youth and tracked his progression in the junior aussie sides thought he was an excellent prospect and one worth keeping and developing at the club.

We certainly weren't happy he was allowed to leave.

Sorry but Mclaren does nothing for me and he's had ample opportunities to prove me and others wrong.

I'll type slowly for you if that'll help.


Since Sage took full/sole control of the club we have moved forward. (finals appearances, Membership numbers crowds etc)

Smith was not a sage appointment so you cannot blame him for that.

Paul Kelly served as CEO for three years and Boardman filled in before Brewer started, hardly unheard off in the buisness world.

Do you not believe that in the last 4 years the club is being better run of the pitch? The Glory Junoirs programme? The Club Link Programme? Community clinics? Involvement with FWNTC?

Edited by Begbie: 10/2/2014 06:52:24 PM