Perth winger Travis Dodd has warned complacency late in the season could have dire consequences to the Glory’s finals ambitions but is confident the squad will avoid it.
Perth winger Travis Dodd has warned complacency late in the season could have dire consequences to the Glory’s finals ambitions but is confident the squad will avoid it.
Perth are at a crucial point in the season with four games remaining, needing to perform well in the final month to ensure they reach the finals for just the second time in the Hyundai A-League era.
They sit fourth with 34 points, two behind third placed Wellington and just ahead of Melbourne Heart, Newcastle and Sydney FC, who are in seventh spot with 30.
Dodd said nobody within the Glory was taking a top six place for granted and the squad knew a win against Adelaide on Thursday was vital to ensuring a finals place.
“There’s no doubt it’ll be tight. Mathematically there’s still a chance we can fall out on the six,” he said.
“We need to be switched on and not be complacent in any way shape or form over the next four weeks to make sure we finish as high up the table as we can.”
“It’s a massive game for us [against Adelaide], we really need to pick up the three points.”
The match at Hindmarsh Stadium carries extra significance for Dodd, as it will be the first time he has returned to Adelaide to play a competitive game since departing the Reds, where he played for the first six A-League seasons.
The 31-year-old was absent when Perth last went to Adelaide for a 3-0 win in January.
“I’ve been looking forward to it for awhile,” Dodd said.
“I’m not expecting too much of a hostile reception.”
“I think whenever a player leaves a club and comes back there’s always a portion of the crowd that will give you a bit of stick but in general I think it will be a pretty welcoming reception.”
The former Socceroo, who has been integral in the recent run which has seen Perth avoid defeat in nine of their past 11 games, will have to carry an increased attacking load following the departure of Australian marquee player Mile Sterjovski.
But Dodd echoed the sentiments of coach Ian Ferguson, who said Sterjovski had to take up the opportunity.
“We’re obviously very disappointed to lose Mile at this stage of the campaign but he got an offer that the club couldn’t match and it would’ve been crazy for him not to go financially,” Ferguson said.
“We wish him well. He’s been a fantastic servant for the club over the past three years.”
