January Is Make Or Break For Zdrilic

After a disappointing start to the season, everyone connected with Perth Glory will be hoping for a significant turnaround in the second half, none more so than head coach David Zdrilic.

It’s fair to say that aside from Brisbane Roar’s Ruben Zadkovich, Zdrilic is under the most pressure among A-League head coaches. Adding to the scrutiny, his team faces the grim prospect of setting an unwanted record: if they fail to beat Auckland at home today, they will surpass the New Zealand Knights’ record for eight consecutive home losses — a dubious distinction that underscores the urgent need for improvement.

This season has been deeply disappointing, not only for me but for everyone associated with the Glory. At times, the performances, results, and overall failure to meet expectations have been outright embarrassing. Fans and members, who were buoyed by the pre-season promises of Zdrilic, owner Ross Pelligra, and Football Director Stan Lazaridis, have been left frustrated by the team’s underwhelming delivery.

David Zdrilic’s position hasn’t been helped by a misstep in his comments following the latest defeat to Sydney FC.

In what felt like a Freudian slip, he remarked that the team would aim to be more competitive as new players come in, but significant changes wouldn’t happen within just a month or two — suggesting improvements would likely be seen next season. This sentiment drew significant criticism on social media, prompting Zdrilic to backtrack in a subsequent press conference, where he insisted the team would be “hell-bent on being as competitive as we can” in the immediate term.

For me, this month is make or break for David Zdrilic in particular.

Fans were expecting to see a certain style with the team this season, heavily influenced by the Red Bull philosophy. While glimpses were seen in pre-season, during the A-League season, it has at times been disastrous.

So with January prompting a good time for the club to reinforce, they’ve been linked with 4 players, with Newscorp suggesting Yuto Misao, Takuya Okamoto, Patrick Wood and Lachie Wales are all set to join the club over the next few weeks.

These names, in particular, have been widely speculated to be joining the Glory for some time, some longer than others, so in this piece, we’ll also be taking a look at what they’ll bring to the Glory, along with why their additions to the squad, will place a further emphasis on Zdrilic to accelerate implementing his brand of football or risk further disillusionment with the fans.

To kick things off, let’s focus on the two Japanese signings from the J1 League. Considering the underwhelming resumes of Perth Glory’s recent visa signings, both Yuto Misao and Takuya Okamoto bring a refreshing level of experience, boasting a combined total of nearly 300 appearances in one of Asia’s most competitive leagues. This pedigree is significant, given the league’s standing in Asian football.

Starting with Yuto Misao, I see this as a solid short-term signing. At 33, Misao offers versatility, being capable of playing as either a left-back or a centre-back. However, given the Glory’s persistent issues on the left flank this season, it’s likely he will be deployed as a left-back. Several key metrics highlight the type of player Misao is and why he could be crucial for Zdrilic’s system.

As per his player radar, Misao ranks above average for Defensive Actions and is categorised as elite in both Defensive Duels Won (%) and Cross Completion (%). For Zdrilic’s high-intensity system, which demands frequent defensive interventions, these attributes are invaluable. Too many teams have exploited Glory’s wide areas this season, and Misao’s presence could help stem that tide.

Notably, his elite ranking in defensive duels won is further validated by his high standing in the J1 League for Tackles Won and Tackles Won %. These stats underscore his reliability as a 1v1 defender. Coupled with his strong crossing ability, this makes him an asset not just defensively but also offensively. Star striker Adam Taggart, who has suffered from a lack of consistent service this season, will undoubtedly welcome the improved delivery Misao is expected to provide.

Moving on to Takuya Okamoto, his impact on the Glory will largely depend on how he is utilised within David Zdrilic’s system, but he also has the potential to be a solid short-term signing. Like Yuto Misao, the former Shonan Bellmare captain brings versatility to the squad. He is capable of playing across the right flank — be it as a right-back, right wing-back, right winger, or even at centre-back. However, it’s expected that the 32-year-old will primarily feature as a centre-back, a position he’s played over 100 times, according to Transfermarkt.

For this analysis, I’ve focused on his 2023 metrics, as his playing time was limited last year. Depending on how Zdrilic structures the backline to accommodate both Okamoto and Misao, Okamoto’s positioning and work rate could allow him to quietly but effectively contribute to the defensive setup. His player radar highlights two standout attributes: Interceptions and Shots Blocked — qualities that will be vital.

The Glory’s backline has often been too hesitant this season, failing to step out and press when required. Okamoto’s proactive approach to pressing and stepping out to challenge attackers could be a much-needed addition to their defensive strategy.

Additionally, Okamoto’s set-piece delivery and crossing ability are notable strengths, as evidenced by his high ranking for Crosses and Cross Completion (%). Like Misao, his ability to deliver accurate crosses from deeper positions could provide much-needed service for Adam Taggart. Improved supply from the flanks should, in theory, lead to more chances created and, ultimately, more goals scored.

Turning our attention to the two Australian signings, they’re more familiar names to A-League fans. Starting with Patrick Wood, who joins the club on loan — likely as an injury replacement for David Williams — this move presents a significant opportunity for Wood to prove himself. Having come close to joining the Glory in 2022, the Sydney FC striker now has the chance to showcase why he deserves more consistent game time.

For a player like Wood, consistent minutes on the field could be the key to unlocking his potential and establishing himself in the A-League. When he burst onto the scene with Sydney FC a few years ago, following a standout stint in the NPL in NSW, it was clear he possessed strong attributes. However, he has struggled to consistently display them at the A-League level.

One of Wood’s standout qualities is his speed, which will be a major asset, particularly in transition when making runs behind the opposition’s defensive line. Additionally, learning from a seasoned striker like Adam Taggart for the remainder of the season is an invaluable opportunity for Wood. There are notable similarities in their playing styles, and this mentorship could significantly aid Wood’s development.

This loan spell represents a pivotal chance for Patrick Wood to prove his worth. For both his and Perth Glory’s sake, hopefully he seizes it with both hands.

Finally, we come to Lachie Wales — a signing I suggested back in November last year. For me, this is a no-brainer. Throughout this season, it has become increasingly clear that Perth Glory’s wingers have struggled to deliver the level of output needed to ignite the team’s campaign. While it’s understandable that many of the wingers are young and still developing, the reality is that their performance, from an objective standpoint, has simply not been good enough.

Despite the criticism Wales has faced in the past, there’s no denying that his attributes will be a valuable addition to the Glory’s attacking dynamics. His speed, movement, and link-up play should significantly enhance their forward play. Moreover, his defensive work rate adds another dimension, making him a well-rounded and impactful signing.

As with Patrick Wood, Wales’ speed is likely to be his most potent weapon. The lack of pace in Glory’s attacking setup has often rendered them predictable and easier to defend against. With direct and dynamic players like Wales and Wood now in the mix, the team should become more difficult for opponents to contain. Defenders will likely think twice about pressing higher up the pitch, knowing the threat these two pose in transition. Ideally, this shift will allow Perth Glory to exploit space with swift attacking moves and capitalise on their newfound speed.

To summarise, the Glory have taken a proactive approach to their transfer business this window, addressing underperforming players and attempting to rectify clear issues within the team to the best of their ability given the budget constraints. From this point forward, there are no excuses for anyone involved.

David Zdrilic must now focus on fully implementing his system while delivering results. The fans’ frustration with the lack of tangible progress is entirely justified, especially as rival teams continue to flourish.

A prime example is Western United, who showcased their resilience and identity by coming from behind to defeat Melbourne Victory last night — a performance built on a clear style of play and work ethic that has been sorely lacking from the Glory this season.

For Zdrilic’s sake, these four signings — and potentially more — need to make a significant impact. With the transfer window opening on January 16, there’s hope that these additions will bring about meaningful improvement and set the stage for sustained positive growth.