Glory Head Coach David Zdrilic is focusing on the present rather than dwelling on the past as he prepares his side for Friday’s clash with high-flying Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium (kick-off at 4:35pm WST, watch live and FREE on 10Play).
View his pre-match media conference in full HERE
View the A-Leagues Match Preview HERE
The men in purple will head across the border having endured a tough start to the season which included a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Western United last time out.
Adelaide United, in contrast, are unbeaten this term, but Zdrilic feels his team’s performances are improving and that they are capable of reaching another level and securing what would be the club’s first victory at Coopers Stadium since 2021.
“We envisaged a different start, but we know where we’re at,” he said.
“There have been a lot of changes in the team… we’re still trying to find the right balance and I think we took a step forward in the last game.
“That’s what we’re focusing on and making sure we take more of those steps this week.
“We want to get that first win and there’s no better time to do it than against someone like Adelaide who are in top form.
“You can see they’re playing with freedom, they’re very confident and the football they’re playing is fluid.
“That comes with the results that they’ve had previously and obviously last week they were able to come from behind twice to earn the victory.
“They’re a very good team, but I think every team in the A-League is very even.
“We expect a tough match every week and Adelaide is no different.
“It’s a great venue, they’ve got a great fan base and are playing full of confidence, but we just tackle the games the same way, trying to improve every week.
“We’ll go in thinking only about the win, not the previous results.”
The Head Coach went on to confirm that he has been impressed by the fortitude his players have shown in the face of adversity.
“In the moment now, results are not good enough and no-one’s happy,” he said.
“We want to improve that.
“In a run of games like we’ve had, it can go either way.
“They [the players] either fight and re-set, or they look for excuses.
“The guys haven’t given any excuses and they’re all putting their hands up to play.
“The group themselves, despite the results, have been re-setting and going again and you’ve got to commend them for that.”
Zdrilic also flagged the fact that in a number of key areas, the club is moving very much in the right direction.
“I understand it’s a results game and we have been improving and will continue to improve, but there is so much happening at this club that’s positive,” he said.
“The club getting its own training ground for the first time ever, for example.
“There are a lot of positive things happening off the field and this team is going to evolve as well.
“It won’t be staying the way it is.
“We will get the balance right and there will be big improvements on and off the field.
“In the next six to 12 months, it’s going to be a very different look and feel at the club.”
In terms of early squad news, Glory did not suffer any fresh injuries in last week’s clash with Western United, leaving Nikola Mileusnic and Mustafa Amini as the only confirmed absentees for the trip to South Australia.
Carl Veart’s Reds, meanwhile, head into this week’s Round 6 clash having accumulated ten points via a draw with Central Coast Mariners and wins over Western Sydney Wanderers, Western United and most recently, Brisbane Roar.
Off-season recruit Dylan Pierias has settled in well, already scoring twice and grabbing an assist, an impressive return which has been replicated by English import Zach Clough, while 20-year-old Ethan Alagich continues to catch the eye in midfield.
Glory have won on eight of their 28 previous league visits to Coopers Stadium, with the Reds claiming maximum points on 15 occasions.
A goal from Adam Taggart on Friday would see him join Diego Castro, Bruno Fornaroli and Andy Keogh as the joint top-scorer in this fixture with seven.
Match Details
Isuzu UTE A-League 2024/25 Season Matchday 6
Adelaide United v Perth Glory
Coopers Stadium
Friday 29 November 2024
Kick-off: 4:35pm WST
#ONEGlory
