Perth Glory recruits Michael Baird and Josh Mitchell say they’ve got ambitious hopes for the squad this season, believing a top two finish is well within reach.
Perth Glory recruits Michael Baird and Josh Mitchell say they-ve got ambitious hopes for the squad this season, believing a top two finish is well within reach.
After the biggest recruiting coup in the club-s history with the signing of Robbie Fowler, both Baird and Mitchell agree that Glory is on the brink of their best season in the Hyundai A-league given calibre of players now at the club.
“I-m going to be ambitious and say we want to finish top two.
“We-ve got a good squad and even though I haven-t played with a lot of the boys it-s a strong team on paper and we-re looking forward to playing alongside them.
“Everything is looking really good for the season, especially with the signing of Robbie Fowler, but even without him the squad is still really strong,” Mitchell said.
After spending the past four seasons playing football in Romania-s top division for Universitatea Craiova, both boys agreed it was time to head home.
They say the transition to Perth Glory was a smooth one, and they-re happy to be back in Australia and playing in the Hyundai A-League.
“We-d been there (Romania) a long time and we felt that it was the right move for both of us and a good time to come home.
“It worked out well with our circumstances because we-d be back and ready in time for the season. That-s what we wanted. We wanted to come back and we had to make it happen.
“From our experience with football teams here and abroad everything has been covered very well and the professionalism has been great,” Mitchell said.
“Good squad, good set-up, very professional and everyone at the club has been really supportive. The whole move has been A plus,” Baird added.
Mitchell made his professional debut in the 2002/03 season of the NSL for Newcastle United. Interestingly, his first game was against Perth Glory, the reigning NSL champions.
Baird has played in both the NSL and in the Hyundai A-League for Brisbane Roar (then Queensland Roar) and says the competition has vastly improved since he last played in Australia.
“We-re both looking forward to playing in the Hyundai A-League again. It-s changing a lot and it-s growing.
“There is a lot more support for the competition and with a spot in the Asian Champions League up for grabs, it definitely gives the Hyundai A-League a boost.
“There-s a lot more to play for now. You were always playing for a title but now you-re playing for that spot in Asia which is fantastic,” Baird said.
“We-re really excited to be playing for Glory,” Mitchell concluded.
