Kenny Lowe’s management skills will be put firmly to the test this season, with Perth Glory a shadow of the side that surprised the A-League last season. Of course, they did it all illegally, and a finals appearance would prove a remarkable recovery.
The loss of quality players is many – Rostyn Griffiths, Danny Vukovic, Andy Keogh, Jamie Maclaren and Danny De Silva the worst of them. The club fill find it extremely hard to bounce back from the disappointment of last season, but they have added some promising foreign signings and still retain a core group.
Another solid run in the FFA Cup will give them confidence, and if Lowe’s recruitment proves shrewd then a finals place is definitely attainable.
Strengths
It has to be Perth’s defence. The loss of Griffiths as a screener and Vukovic in goals is hard to stomach, but with Michael Thwaite, Dino Djulbic and Josh Ridson there remains the skeleton of last season’s side which boasted the equal third most stingiest back-line.
Ante Covic brings experience and quality, anyone who thinks the 40-year-old is past it will be eating humble pie at the end of the season. Throw in newcomer Antony Golec and Lowe has a promising defence to build from.
If Alex Grant proves another astute signing from Lowe (the 21-year-old arrived from Stoke City) then Thwaite could even push into midfield to help replace Griffiths.
Weaknesses
Goals, without a doubt. Andy Keogh and Jamie Maclaren scored 21 between them last season, and the new imports are an unknown quantity.
Guyon Fernandez has experience in the top two Dutch leagues, and does not have a bad goal to games ratio – about one every three. As the only out-and-out striker, however, he needs to emulate Keogh’s red hot start to Australian life.
Diego Castro should provide excitement from the wing, the Spaniard playing an impressive 32 games in La Liga last season for Getafe.
Ante Covic has made the big move. AFP PHOTO/ FAYEZ NURELDINE
Big question: Can Lowe perform within the budget?
Lowy performed wonders last season, yet his reputation took a blow when the salary cap scandal emerged. Can he do it again with a new team, under budget constraints? A lot depends on his off-season recruitment.
Lowe has steered Perth into the FFA Cup’s last four and only Melbourne City stand in his way of consecutive grand final appearances. That should be enough to convince any doubters of his coaching quality.
Lowe’s team will rely heavily on a rock solid defence and the newcomers to rekindle some pride in the Perth football community. There is no doubt they deserve it.
Key man: Diego Castro
Castro looks like a seriously good talent for the A-League. Even at 33, you do not play 32 La Liga games if you’re a mug. Expect Glory’s attacks to run through his feet.
Castro scored a combined 30 goals and assists in 93 Spanish top flight games between 2010 and 2013. That bodes well for Perth, he could be one of the finds of the season.
Youngster to watch: Mitch Oxborrow
This 20-year-old has had huge wraps since his time at the Newcastle Jets, where his exceptional passing abilities were already obvious. A spell away from the game due to personal reasons came at a time when he was getting more game time in the Hunter, but he is now back in hometown Perth and ready to fire.
With Ruben Zadkovich expected to help fill the Griffiths void, and hardly possessing a quality passing repertoire, it could be Oxborrow who emerges as the ideal replacement. Chris Harold also needs to step up this season to assist Fernandez in replacing the goals of Keogh and Maclaren.
Position last season: Fifth
The Glory tallied 50 points, which would have been enough to see them finish third, trailing Sydney FC on goal difference. They also fell to Adelaide United in the FFA Cup final.
Prediction: Finals challenge
A tough prospect, given the loss of key players such as Keogh and Maclaren. Yet they have made some intriguing signings, and you can not write off a sixth-place finish.
First five fixtures
Central Coast (A), Wellington Phoenix (H), Adelaide United (H), Western Sydney (A), Melbourne Victory (H).
Possible line-up
Castro, Fernandez, Harold
Marinkovic
Sandor, Garcia
Golec, Djulbic, Thwaite, Risdon
Covic
Ins
Jerrad Tyson (Sun Pegasus), Alex Grant (Stoke City), Antony Golec (Wanderers), Hagi Gligor (Sydney FC), György Sándor (free agent), Ante Covic (Wanderers), Diego Castro (free agent), Marc Warren (APIA), Guyon Fernandez (NAC Breda).
Outs
Danny Vukovic (Melbourne Victory), Scott Jamieson (Wanderers), Brandon O’Neill (Sydney FC), Daniel De Silva (Roma – loan ended), Youssouf Hersi (released), Jack Duncan (Randers FC), Rostyn Griffiths (released), Riley Woodcock (Sydney FC), Jamie Maclaren (Brisbane Roar), Andy Keogh (released).
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Mathew Leckie played a pivotal part in Melbourne City claiming an 8-nil win; playing a role in several of his team's goals.
The loser of the Sydney Derby will be under immense pressure entering the final three matches of the season.
A good performance from Michael Ruhs, scoring twice to beat Macarthur and doubling his season goal tally in the process.
Sydney moved into fourth with their point but Glory's finals hopes are now officially extinguished.
Anthony Caceres is a player with immense talent and has a fantastic work rate, broke the deadlock against the Mariners in the 74th minute.
The Wanderers coach admits he has stuff going on in his personal life, and insists he has full support of playing group.
