Perth Glory hoping to leave controversy behind as Kenny Lowe’s men gear up for new season

 
WHEN Kenny Lowe was handed a two-year contract in April to take over permanently at Perth Glory, he said the answer to improving the struggling club’s fortunes was simple: get better players.
After a fruitful off-season recruiting drive, it’s clear the coach has given it his best shot.
The additions of striker Andy Keogh, midfielders Youssouf Hersi, Mitch Nichols, Ruben Zadkovich, Richard Garcia and Diogo Ferreira and defender Dino Djulbic have given Glory some proven A-League performers, strong characters and competition for spots.


Perth certainly looks to have a strong squad on paper, capable of making the top four.
The problem at Glory — all too often in recent seasons synonymous with turmoil, player unrest and coach sackings — is that good squads on paper have often failed to translate into good teams on the pitch during its underwhelming A-League history.
The club is confident it is unified under Lowe, the charismatic 52-year-old Englishman whose entertaining manner can mask his burning desire to succeed as an A-League coach.
Training sessions over the long off-season have generally been of a high standard and player morale seems healthy, with the club believing it has put in place better communications systems and improved mentoring of young players. Moving on from last season’s squad are injury-hindered marquee pair Shane Smeltz and William Gallas, skipper Jacob Burns, fellow veterans Steven McGarry and Travis Dodd, along with Ryan Edwards, Adrian Zahra and Darvydas Sernas.

The understanding at the beginning of the tumultuous Alistair Edwards era was that Glory was building for the future. Under Lowe, there’s more a sense that there’s no time like the present — with the average age of the seven new faces in the squad being 28.
But for a club that’s loved a big name marquee signing — Gallas and Robbie Fowler — this season also marks a move in a more sustainable direction.
While both marquee slots were filled last season, Glory will enter the new campaign with no marquees and its ­entire squad fitting under the salary cap.
Where the club has spent its money is in boosting its medical and sports science support for the players, which was lacking last season.

To contend for a breakthrough A-League title, while at the same time eyeing off some FFA Cup silverware, Glory must minimise injuries and keep something close to its best side on the park.
Republic of Ireland international Keogh looms as the key man for a team that scored a competition-low 28 goals in 27 games last season to finish eighth, just two points off the bottom of the table.
Keogh’s string of goals during the pre-season have whet the appetite and he is the player the club can least afford to lose to injury throughout the season.
Youngster Jamie Maclaren remains unproven at senior level and while Glory now boasts a wealth of attacking midfield options, none are genuine strikers.

The other area where Glory appears vulnerable is in the heart of defence. Michael Thwaite and Djulbic should form a fine combination but there is precious little in the way of back-up stoppers in the squad.
Daniel De Silva will play a final season with Glory before he links up with Italian giants Roma, with the 17-year-old ­having been sold during the off-season.