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Opinion

Each club's state of affairs before the A-League restart: Perth Glory

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Roar Guru
1st July, 2020
12

The A-League has been entertaining up until its postponement.

It’s due to start again on July 16. This is how the Perth Glory’s season was assessed as it stands prior to the restart.

What’s the story?
The Perth Glory have had an average season as it stands, up until the postponement of the A-League. At times the Perth Glory have appeared to be contenders, while at other points of time they have looked to be lacking a suitable plan or the depth of other teams in the A-League.

Credit to the Perth Glory for winning six games in a row from Round 9 until Round 15. They drew their next two games, which meant they went eight games undefeated, which is a pretty impressive stat.

They also had their tough times, only collecting two points from a possible 12 in the last four games that they played in, up until the A-League 2019-20 season postponement.

Apart from the Popovic brothers, Kristian and Gabriel, they appear to lack younger players. With the exception of Nick D’Agostino there’s no one else of note that can provide the youthful exuberance that they are lacking.

Brandon Wilson left the Perth Glory with a mutual termination of his contract, signing with the Wellington Phoenix. Wilson was a young talent that had played 45 times prior to leaving the Perth Glory to seek another opportunity.

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Joel Chianese won’t be returning as he has moved to an Indian professional club.

Kim Soo-beom has left the Perth Glory to join a South Korean football club.

There’s no doubting the Perth Glory’s coach, Tony Popovic, has a good record as a coach in the A-League, but Perth Glory have had a tough season at times, particularly in their last seven games, despite sitting in the top six as it stands.

Tony Popovic

(Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

The five most talented players
5. Alex Grant has been extremely solid in defence. Grant often plays to his optimum level. He has helped the Perth Glory concede the second least goals as it stands, conceding just 22 goals in 20 games.

4. James Meredith has made many a marauding run forward down the left wing. Meredith has shown that he has plenty of talent and justified Tony Popovic’s decision to talk him out of retirement.

3. Bruno Fornaroli has been clinical in the final third, contributing 12 goals in 20 games. Fornaroli has played at a decent level, despite being past his best.

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2. Nicholas D’Agostino has made only seven appearances for the Perth Glory. D’Agostino has scored three goals and has been in the starting line-up on just three occasions.

1. Diego Castro is still a talented player, despite the fact that he is nearing the end of his career. Castro has four goals and provided seven assists in 18 games.

Honourable mention: Jacob Tratt has got talent and should have started more than two games. Tratt has made eight of his ten appearances in the A-League 2019-20 season as a substitute.

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Adaptable players
Jacob Tratt can play centre back or right back. James Meredith can play left wing or left back.

Who needs to lift?
Everyone, particularly given the fact they have only won one of their last seven games in the A-League 2019-20 season.

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What has to alter?
Jacob Tratt should be in the starting line-up in every game that he is fit and available. Nick D’Agostino should also be in the starting line-up in every game that he’s fit and available to play in, based on his talent.

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