A big player signing, a strong advertising presence and new badge for Glory’s 25th year. Could this be the start of a winning season with the men from the west?
Perth Glory recently announced a new badge will adorn their 2021-22 strips. This emblem, the club name with a rising sun in the background, is a throwback to their early ‘glory days’ of the late ’90s.
This rebranding, coupled with the major off-season signing of former Liverpool great Daniel Sturridge and a relatively heavy marketing presence with the club aiming to ‘fill the park’ for their first home game, could signify they might be claiming some much desired silverware come May 2022.
Arguably, though, this may just be window dressing covering the faults on a struggling club. Apart from winning the 2019 premiership with former coach Tony Popovic and coming agonisingly close to a winning a championship in front of a record-breaking crowd at Optus Stadium in the same campaign, they have regularly failed to achieve.
While it was great for the club to make an appearance in the belated 2020 Asian Champions League, little was achieved on the pitch. Recent years in the FFA Cup have been dour and good A-League performances have often been irregular.
While these results have been frustrating for fans, the club seems to have persisted. The owner, Tony Sage, has again seemingly opened the chequebook for big-name signing Daniel Sturridge amongst other more modest player inclusions.
The signing of experienced players Brad Jones, Brandon O’Neill and Jack Clisby seem to be savvy trades that ensure the club can add depth and maturity to the line-up without spending significantly beyond their means.
The league needs a consistent performer, if not a title challenger from the west. The Glory’s inclusion strengthens the league and adds colour and variety to the competition. But to Perth’s fans, a consistent, engaging and most importantly triumphant season is the only new dawn that they crave.
Anthony Ferguson
Guest
We've been waiting for the new dawn for 16 years.
Steven tsimboukis
Guest
Agree a mixture of good coaches and good marquees. Id like to see more South American coaches here but I'm very optimistic for a great year with bigger crowds and tv ratings!
Ferno
Guest
Perth, as well most of AL clubs, should invest in a "marquee coach" other than marquee players. A good coach makes every player's football to improve. With due respect to rick Garcia, he is not this man yet. Last season, Glory was a mess, unbalanced, full of empty spaces and without a defined pattern of play.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
The key player for Perth is Brandon ONeill, if he has maintained the fitness standard he had at Sydney FC. At 27 he should be at the peak of his game, however I dont understand why he didnt play more in Thailand, Korea is not a suprise I dont know why he went there, Japan and Korea are very tough leagues for midfielders. Brandon Oneill is a player that can win titles in the A-league for teams,but a bit short on the athleticism required in a higher level league, The other part of the equation is the rest of the Perth team, you dont want the situation is Oneill is the one working hard and the rest watch on. If the rest of the team supports his effort then they can go well.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
all of glorys eggs are unfortunately in the sturridge basket for this season that basket is going to crack multiple times, if he plays more than 12 games i'll be stunned. Glorys midfield also looks absolutely threadbare, at least theyve improved the goalkeeping in saying that, i do believe they'll comfortably beat an adelaide team that is nursing major players back to fitness on the weekend 2-0
brookvalesouth
Roar Rookie
I'm still not sure what to make of Perth for this season. Quality recruits, for sure, but I can't see them pushing into the top 4 this season. Good chance of top 6, but will have to do it the hard way.