The Missing Pieces Of The Glory Puzzle

As we start to head towards the conclusion of this season, my thoughts, like many others, have turned to next season for the Perth Glory, especially following their recent 2–1 loss at home to the Western Sydney Wanderers.

Though there remains a slight mathematical chance for the Glory to make the finals, it is an improbable prospect. Therefore, the immediate focus should shift towards preparing for next season. Part of this preparation involves ensuring that at the very least for this season the players secure direct qualification to the Australia Cup by finishing above 9th place.

Undoubtedly, this season has presented immense challenges, both on and off the field.

The turmoil surrounding the ownership cast a formidable shadow of uncertainty over the club’s future. This led to a transfer embargo that deprived the new head coach, Alen Stajcic, of the opportunity to properly rebuild a squad that had already undergone significant departures prior to his arrival. Moreover, the season got off to a very bumpy start, as the team secured wins in only two out of their initial ten games.

It was commendable to witness the team rallying together despite their challenging start, as they pushed hard to mount a late surge towards the top six. Regrettably, numerous missed opportunities thwarted their efforts. Now, with new owner Ross Pelligra on board, the priority lies in building a team with the potential not only to return to the finals (for the first time since 2020) and challenge those at the top, but also to stay there.

When Pelligra was announced as the new owner of the Glory last month, he expressed his ambition to “return the club back to the Glory days” and make it “the envy of every other A-League club, just like it was when it was first founded”. I’m hopeful that he can achieve this vision, and an essential step towards revitalising the club’s fortunes lies in player recruitment. A strong recruitment strategy is pivotal in laying the foundation for a team capable of reclaiming a position in the finals.

With the recent announcement from the club confirming the return of former Socceroo and WA product Stan Lazaridis in the role of Director of Football, it’s evident that the new owner of the Glory is swiftly implementing key structures to kickstart operations as soon as possible. Lazaridis emphasised his eagerness to establish a “competitive side,” with squad management topping his list of priorities.

A sentiment widely shared among fans is that Alen Stajcic deserves strong backing from the new regime, especially given the challenges faced throughout the season. An important perspective to consider is the performance of a coach when working with a squad that many anticipate to finish at the bottom of the table. It’s fair to say, he’s been able to get the players to be competitive and they’ve given every game a red-hot crack. Now, just imagine the potential impact he could have with a stronger squad.

There’s no doubt in my mind, that Staj deserves significant recognition for his adept management of the team amidst numerous departures, minimal acquisitions, external distractions, and persistent injuries throughout the season. He has demonstrated courage in utilising the club’s young talents and has devised a tactical approach that, while not flawless, is the most pragmatic for the current group of players. Despite the obstacles, there have been clear indications of promise and progress throughout the season.

Under Stajcic the Glory have adopted a direct style of play, placing a significant emphasis on offensive transitions. When executed effectively, they have proven to be formidable opponents, especially at home and in particular, in the second half, where some of their fightbacks this season have been quite remarkable.

A notable example of the Glory’s approach working to a tee was the away match in January against the Western Sydney Wanderers, where the team secured a 2–1 win, marking the club’s first away win in 15 months. This match showcased an almost flawless performance model for away games, characterised by disciplined defensive organisation and a ruthless approach to capitalising on turnovers.

Improving the tactical approach will naturally progress over time. However, Alen Stajcic, Stan Lazaridis and Ross Pelligra must prioritise recruiting higher-caliber players. This not only boosts on-field performance but also plays a big role in mentoring the younger players in their development.

Trent Sainsbury stands out as an ideal addition to start the new era at the Glory.

His signing would not only enhance performance but also set a clear standard for the club’s direction. Sainsbury embodies the type of player the club should target — someone who elevates professional standards through his experience overseas and as a Socceroo, and importantly, someone who brings a strong drive for success. Bringing him on board would be a significant stride towards getting the club higher up the table.

Sainsbury would be a smart signing not only for the team but also for the broader WA football community. As a local player who honed his skills at the Perth Glory Academy before advancing to the AIS, he embodies a strong connection to the region. His status as a Socceroo further adds to his appeal.

Additionally, his expressed desire to invest time in his junior club Armadale SC after retiring, highlights his commitment to community engagement. This signing would undoubtedly garner enthusiastic support from fans and align perfectly with Ross Pelligra’s strategy to reinvigorate community involvement with the club.

An ambitious but necessary signing for the Glory could be Lucas Mauragis, the talented Olyroo left-back from the Newcastle Jets. At just 22 years old, Mauragis has impressed with his performances for the Jets this season.

Aligned with Alen Stajcic’s attacking vision for the team, Mauragis fits the mould of a modern fullback, adept at providing width and supporting the attack, much like those seen in successful sides like Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool. With his ability to deliver quality crosses and cover ground efficiently, Mauragis could add a new dimension to Glory’s play.

While there’s room for improvement defensively, Mauragis’s potential for growth is promising. Joining Perth Glory could offer him the platform to further refine his skills and potentially open doors to opportunities overseas, especially considering the challenges faced by his current club, Newcastle Jets.

The potential signings of Trent Sainsbury and Lucas Mauragis would significantly elevate the quality of the Glory’s backline, facilitating growth and improvement. Sainsbury’s addition would inject a sense of composure and experience, complementing his most likely partner, Aleksandar Šušnjar. On the other hand, Mauragis’s arrival would bring a considerable work rate to the left flank, reminiscent of Jason Davidson’s impact during the 2018/19 season — an element that has been lacking since then.

Moving on to perhaps the most pivotal area in dire need of investment: the midfield. I’ve consistently lamented the lack of quality and depth in our midfield, and now that we have an owner who’s ambitious and fairly wealthy, this deficiency must be addressed with substantial investment.

As the old adage goes, games are won and lost in the midfield. Unfortunately, the Glory have struggled in this department for some time, often due to an imbalance in player profiles. This season, Giordano Colli, Mustafa Amini, Oli Bozanic, and Jacob Muir have been prominent figures in the midfield. While individually talented, pairing them together hasn’t proven conducive to building a cohesive and successful midfield unit, in my opinion.

To understand what Alen Stajcic might be looking for next season in terms of evolving his midfield, looking at some of his prior teams, notably the Central Coast Mariners, offers valuable insight into the type of player profiles he’ll be looking for to effectively execute his tactical structure.

In the 2020/21 season, Stajcic’s midfield at the Mariners evolved from being previously insufficient to dynamic and solid, largely due to the signing of Oli Bozanic. Bozanic’s presence allowed the team to exert control and achieve balance in the centre of the pitch. Often dropping between or alongside the centre backs, Bozanic created a makeshift back three, while Gianni Stensness positioned himself slightly higher, forming a diamond shape and bridging the defence with the attack.

Essentially, Bozanic served as the deep-lying playmaker, orchestrating play from deeper positions and initiating attacks with his precise long passes. Stensness, on the other hand, fulfilled a defensive midfield role, characterised by his aggression, intensity, and combative nature, making him a formidable presence in midfield.

This structural blueprint carried over to the Glory when Stajcic was appointed as the head coach, with Giordano Colli assuming the ‘Stensness role’, while the ‘Bozanic role’ was initially filled by Oli Bozanic himself, who was signed by Stajcic for the current season. However, following Bozanic’s departure, the role was then taken up by players like Mustafa Amini or Jacob Muir.

In my opinion, our midfield has struggled to maintain balance this season. Giordano Colli has been a consistent presence in the Glory’s midfield, playing in every game. While he has shown glimpses of quality in a deeper role, I believe he is more effective when deployed higher up the pitch. The demands of playing as a central midfielder seem at times overwhelming for him, especially when either he or his partner are frequently caught out of position during transitions or pressing situations.

Moreover, Colli appears less comfortable in the deeper role, and it’s not coincidental that his standout performances for the club have occurred when given the freedom to operate in advanced positions. In my view, his three best games in a Glory shirt during the 22/23 season against the Central Coast Mariners and Adelaide in Rounds 3 and 4 respectively, and this season against Macarthur at home, he operated further up the pitch.

Notably, his performance against the Mariners showcased his technical ability to a much greater level. He not only scored the equaliser but also set up the winning goal in the second half, while actively contributing to the team’s attacking sequences with four key passes. I believe Colli would be at his best as an attacking midfielder. Utilising him closer to our forward line would enable him to link the play more effectively, increase his involvement in the attack, and alleviate the defensive tracking responsibilities associated with a deeper midfield role.

Nevertheless, I remain firm in my belief that the midfield requires reinforcement, especially with players who possess the quality and suitability for the specific midfield roles needed in our team.

To reiterate, I anticipate Stajcic will be seeking players who can fulfil the roles of a defensive midfielder (number 6) and a box-to-box midfielder (number 8), akin to the qualities exhibited by Gianni Stensness and Oli Bozanic, respectively.

In addressing the number 6 role, the priority lies in finding a player who is defensively adept and combative. One of the challenges we face under Stajcic’s system is vulnerability during transitions, which can be mitigated with the presence of a midfielder proficient in defensive transitions.

I’ve looked at quite a few players that could be viable options for the Glory next season and two stand out for this role: Sota Mino from FC Hermannstadt and Claudio Falcão from SC Farense. Both players exhibit similar attributes in terms of playing style, physicality, age, and their presence in midfield.

Mino’s defensive prowess is exceptional, evident from his performances in the Romanian Superliga this season, where he ranks in the top 2% of central and defensive midfielders for defensive actions per 90 minutes. His aggressive tackling and intelligent positioning make him a formidable presence in midfield.

On the other hand, Falcão relies more on his positioning to intercept loose passes, which aligns well with Stajcic’s emphasis on capitalising on turnovers in pressing situations. He still is more than capable however of getting stuck in and being quite brutal with his defensive actions as well. Falcão’s ability to read the game defensively makes him a strong candidate for the role.

Considering his defensive intelligence and combative nature, Falcão would be my preferred choice. At 29 years old, he would bring experience and maturity to the midfield, with the potential to make a significant impact for Perth Glory next season and beyond.

Now turning our attention to the central midfield role, arguably the most crucial position as the Glory have lacked a proper orchestrator in midfield since Neil Kilkenny’s departure. Kilkenny was adept at controlling games with his tactical understanding and ability to deliver penetrating passes that could bypass midfield lines or set up runners in behind the defence.

Brazilian midfielder Ricardo Ryller possesses several stylistic similarities to the former Glory stalwart and could potentially be a significant addition to the midfield. Currently plying his trade for Al-Fayha in Saudi Arabia, Ryller had been enjoying a solid spell in the Pro League until suffering a tibia fracture in November.

In his last full season with Al-Fayha, the 30-year-old central midfielder assumed the role of conductor in midfield, evidenced by his ranking in the top 24% of central midfielders for progressive passes in the league. Additionally, he averaged 5.2 accurate long balls and 4.8 chipped passes per game, with an impressive accuracy rate of 62%.

Given the Glory’s emphasis on transitions, the necessity for midfielders capable of both defensive solidity and incisive passing is paramount. Ryller’s technical proficiency makes him an ideal candidate. His ability to deliver precise through balls could create scoring opportunities for players like Adam Taggart and Stefan Colakovski, enhancing the team’s attacking threat significantly.

The potential midfield pairing of Claudio Falcão and Ricardo Ryller appears to offer the balance and suitability needed not only for Alen Stajcic’s system but also for competing effectively in the A-League. With a blend of physicality and technical prowess, this prospective partnership promises to furnish the Glory with a stronger foundation for both defensive solidity and attacking fluency.

The wide areas have undeniably been a weak point for the team, persisting for some time now. The lack of productivity from our wingers is evident when considering the relatively low number of goals and assists they’ve contributed over the years.

Breaking down the possible desired profiles, I imagine Stajcic will be seeking two types of wingers: one with directness and pace, and the other more technical and playmaker-oriented. This approach aligns with Stajcic’s emphasis on quick combination play and attacking transitions.

For the direct winger role, Serbian winger Dejan Dražić could be an exciting option. Currently plying his trade for Ethnikos Achnas in Cyprus, the 28-year-old has enjoyed a productive season, tallying 3 goals and 10 assists across all competitions. Dražić’s agility, dynamism, and penchant for utilising cutbacks and quick touches make him a formidable threat on the flank.

Although his finishing looks to be inconsistent, reflected in his modest goal tally and conversion rate (7%), Dražić’s creative abilities remain impressive. Expect him to generate numerous scoring opportunities for the team, leveraging his technical prowess and flair on the wing.

In my perspective, another element lacking in the team is the presence of more x-factor. At times, there seems to be an overreliance on players like Adam Taggart to provide moments of brilliance, indicating the need for a player who can offer additional magic to the side. This is where Austrian international and Hannover 96 winger Louis Schaub comes into play.

Schaub bears somewhat of a resemblance to Ulises Dávila in terms of his attributes as a player. He possesses exceptional technique, capable of executing a variety of passes to create opportunities for his teammates. His dribbling skills and close control are of a remarkable standard, with the ball seemingly glued to his boot.

With his experience in Germany and at the international level, Schaub presents himself as a potentially transformative signing for the Glory. His abilities as a player could significantly impact matches, making him a daunting challenge for opposition defences to handle. Should he develop a strong rapport with his teammates, one can anticipate an increase in consistent goal-scoring opportunities for the team.

Looking ahead, the potential signings mentioned hold the promise of transforming the starting eleven and injecting a sense of balance into the squad. Adding Trent Sainsbury and Lucas Mauragis to the back four would significantly strengthen the defensive line. Claudio Falcão and Ricardo Ryller emerge as reliable midfield options, while Dejan Dražić and Louis Schaub offer technical prowess and versatility on the wings.

Securing players of such calibre, tailored to fit Alen Stajcic’s system, should enhance the team’s prospects of not only reaching the finals but also challenging the top teams in the league. Notably, most of these potential signings fall within the 28–32 age bracket, a deliberate choice aimed at providing experienced mentorship to the emerging young talents within the squad.

This strategic approach would allow players like Daniel Bennie, Jayden Gorman, Joel Anasmo, Trent Ostler, and Kaelan Majekodunmi to integrate into the team with less pressure. Ideally, they would thrive in a well-balanced and supportive environment, allowing them to express their abilities freely on the pitch.

As we embark on this new era, the subsequent new signings hold significant intrigue. Fingers crossed, as fans, players and staff alike have endured a tough few years with the club, the future is a bright one.