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What's the story Perth Glory?

Kenny Lowe brough Perth no glory. (AAP Image/Theron Kirkman)
Roar Pro
16th March, 2015
20

Not even the most die-hard of Perth Glory supporters would have predicted how this season would play out for their side, especially following yet another season of turmoil in 2013-14.

Current manager Kenny Lowe took over midway through last season after the Alistair Edwards vs Jacob Burns saga. In hindsight it was best for the club that this shambles played out, as both parties have now left the club.

Lowe inherited a side that was not his, and had to build morale after a demoralising period for the club.

Owner Tony Sage gave Lowe the nod for the current season and was rewarded with Glory’s blistering start, spearheaded by Irish striker Andy Keogh.

Lowe went about building a brilliant squad to execute his ideas, bringing in Youssouf Hersi from grand finalists Western Sydney Wanderers, Mitch Nichols on loan from Cerezo Osaka, Ruben Zadkovich from Newcastle Jets, and Richard Garcia from Sydney FC. These acquisitions weren’t the headline grabbers that others may have been, but they have been more effective than most.

Lowe’s squad took little time to click, as they accounted for Wellington and defending premiers Brisbane in the opening two rounds, before bogey side Adelaide put them to the sword in a 2-0 defeat.

But the Glory then went on a season-defining run of ten games without defeat – eight wins and two draws – that saw them rocket to the summit of the A-League ladder.

The new year brought change and after a wonderful 2-1 win over Melbourne Victory, their drought began. They have not managed a win since January 2, mustering five draws in this period. It’s been enough to keep them in the mix, but if this form continues it’s hard to see them lifting the toilet seat at season’s end.

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It’s no coincidence that striker Andy Keogh’s form has dipped during this period. He and Joshua Risdon drowned their sorrows a little too deeply in Adelaide after a hard-fought draw, and both players ended up in custody. They were both fined as a result and doubtlessly suffered a knock in confidence.

Keogh failed to find the net for a further two games, but returned his name to the goal scorer’s list with one against the Victory last weekend.

So from a fast start and a consistent mid season, Glory seems to be flat-lining to the finish.

Is it because teams have worked them out? Maybe.

A five-game drawing streak doesn’t exactly give players or fans much confidence. Their grinding out of results has, more than likely, caught up with them.

When you are winning everything seems to go your way, the bounce of the ball, refereeing decisions and the ball going into the back of the net. But when you are out of form everything goes against you and that seems to be the case for the Glory.

Kenny Lowe needs to find something extra, something different if he wants to return Perth to the winners’ circle. He surprised us all by putting this brilliant squad together, can he do it again and put Perth back on track?

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