Midfielder Isobel Dalton is confident that Glory have the game plan required to make a return to winning ways at the expense of Adelaide United on Saturday (kick-off at 2:30pm WST).
Watch her pre-match interview in full HERE.
Alex Epakis’ side remain in the thick of the battle for a top-two finish despite being forced to settle for two points from the last three games.
And Dalton believes that only minor improvements are required to help secure a seventh win of the campaign which would potentially close the gap on leaders Melbourne City to four points.
“We’ve had two good performances, but at times we could have been a bit more clinical,” she said.
“So it’s about going into this game, taking our chances and just building on those performances.
“The formation that we play, a lot of teams didn’t expect that when we first started, but people have adjusted to it now.
“So it’s a bit more predictable.
“But the movements we make make our lives a lot easier, so it’s about finding ways to work around other teams and we won’t shy away from the way we play.
“That’s our identity and we know how well it works at times, so it’s about finding [different] ways that we can actually play in that formation.”
Saturday’s opponents may be languishing at the foot of the table having not tasted victory since the turn of the year, but Dalton feels that they should not be underestimated.
“They’re a good team and the table doesn’t justify how good a team they actually are,” she said.
“They’re quick up front, they have former Glory players and we know it’s going to be a tough challenge.
“But I think if we stick to our game plan, we’ll give them a good game.”
On a personal note, the 26-year-old has become increasingly influential as the season has gone on and she feels that she is now starting to hit her straps.
“It was tough at the start coming back from injury and it was about finding a bit of consistency,” she said.
“In the past few matches I’ve got some decent minutes and that’s been nice for me personally.
“I think I’m growing into it and finding feet and combining with the other girls.”
Should Glory prevail on Saturday, it will be their first victory in the South Australian capital since 2016 and will also improve a recent record of five defeats in the last six meetings with the Reds.
In terms of the current campaign, Dylan Holmes has been one of United’s better performers, helping herself to three goals, while former Glory midfielder Alana Jancevski has scored once and claimed an assist.
Another ex-Glory player, Hannah Blake, has found the net twice and Ella Tonkin has enhanced her growing reputation as one of the competition’s best young defenders.
You can catch all the action from the game live and FREE on 10Play from 2:30pm WST.
Match Details
Liberty A-League 2023/24 Season Round 14
Adelaide United v Perth Glory
Marden Sports Complex
Saturday 27 January 2024
Kick-off: 2:30pm WST
Adelaide United squad: 1.Annalee GROVE (gk), 2.Emily HODGSON, 3.Meleri MULLAN, 5.Sarah MORGAN, 6.Hannah BLAKE, 8.Emily CONDON, 9.Rosetta TAYLOR, 10.Chelsie DAWBER, 11.Isabel HODGSON (c), 12.Nanako SASAKI, 13.Ella TONKIN, 14.Jenna HOLTZ, 16.Dylan HOLMES, 17.Zoe TOLLAND, 19.Maruschka WALDUS, 20.Miley GRIGG 21.Claudia JENKINS (gk), 23.Alana JANČEVSKI, 26.Grace WILSON (gk), 28.Chrissy PANAGARIS
Ins: 8.Emily CONDON, 9.Rosetta TAYLOR, 20.Miley GRIGG, 21.Claudia JENKINS, 28.Chrissy PANAGARIS
Outs: 7.Mariah LEE
Unavailable: 7.Mariah LEE, 22.Emilia MURRAY (ankle)
Perth Glory squad: 1.Morgan AQUINO (GK), 3.Jessika COWART, 4.Natasha RIGBY (c), 7.Liz ANTON, 8.Hana LOWRY, 9.Millie FARROW, 10.Susan PHONSONGKHAM, 11.Grace JALE, 12.Sofia SAKALIS, 13.Sarah CAIN, 14.Tia STONEHILL, 17.Abbey GREEN, 18.Sadie LAWRENCE, 19.Izzy FOLETTA, 20.Quinley QUEZADA, 22.Claudia MIHOCIC, 23.Isobel DALTON, 24.Sally JAMES (GK), 25.Grace JOHNSTON, 27.Georgia CASSIDY
Four to be omitted
Ins: 13.Sarah CAIN, 14.Tia STONEHILL, 17.Abbey GREEN, 19.Izzy FOLETTA
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 16.Isabella WALLHEAD (injured)
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