It was a tough watch. An incredibly tough watch.
Unfortunately, for everyone connected with Perth Glory, this scenario has become all too familiar, not just over the past few rounds but for the better part of the past year. Time and again, the team has been on the receiving end of heavy losses. Typically, these collapses have come on the road, but last night marked a grim milestone – Perth Glory suffered their heaviest-ever home defeat in A-Leagues history.
The 5-0 thrashing by an understrength Melbourne City side – missing key attacking stars like Marco Tillio and Andrew Nabbout due to long-term injuries – was not just a shocking scoreline but a deeply concerning performance.
It was sobering to witness in person. The match felt uncompetitive, with Melbourne City baiting Perth Glory into high-pressing traps, only to effortlessly break through and easily stride into good attacking positions. Time and again, it was apparent that the Glory’s press was poorly organised, with players seemingly unsure of their specific roles.
It’s fair to argue that implementing a highly detailed system, such as the one under David Zdrilic, takes considerable time to grasp. Given the frequent changes to the starting lineup, building chemistry, cohesion, and a thorough understanding of the game plan is undoubtedly challenging.
However, what stands out right now is the glaring lack of collective clarity on each player’s responsibilities at any given moment. This was painfully evident to anyone watching the match at the game.
By contrast, Melbourne City, despite missing several experienced and high-quality players, demonstrated a cohesive playing philosophy. Their approach was efficient, disciplined, and ruthlessly effective—a stark reminder of what the Glory’s squad should aspire to emulate.
I’ve often emphasised the importance of a stat like Expected Goals (xG) on the Far Post Perth podcast, as it serves as a valuable metric for analysing a team’s attacking effectiveness. The below image starkly illustrates the contrast in quality and methodology between the two sides, particularly regarding their ability to create scoring opportunities.
For Melbourne City, it was too easy. They dominated possession, registered far more shots, and executed more entries into the final third and penalty box. Their xG was notably high, especially from open play, highlighting their offensive potency whenever they entered the Glory’s defensive third.
This isn’t an isolated issue; it’s a deeply rooted problem that’s persisted since the first match of the season when the Glory were dismantled 6-1 by Macarthur. The trends have been consistently alarming throughout the campaign. We struggle to generate high-value chances and, on the defensive end, fail to prevent opponents from creating and converting their own high-value opportunities.
The lack of competitiveness in yesterday’s performance was further accentuated by the chants from the Shed: “We’ve got the ball”, “We’ve lost the ball”, “Melbourne’s on fire, your defence is terrified” and “We want six.” It was unprecedented to witness not just the Shed, but the entire stadium turning on the team in unison, creating a deafening atmosphere of frustration and disappointment throughout the ground.
As we head into the international break, a fundamental question has been posited: where do the Glory go from here? For me, it starts at the top, with critical questions needing to be directed at owner and chairman Ross Pelligra. Was he even present at yesterday’s game? His engagement – or lack thereof – matters immensely.
This issue appears to be a trickle-down effect. From the outside looking in, if Pelligra isn’t willing to allocate sufficient funds, it hampers Stan Lazaridis’s ability to bring in high-quality talent, leaving head coach David Zdrilic with the unenviable task of squeezing results from a squad that lacks genuine x-factor and much-needed experience.
One Glory fan’s post on X encapsulated the concerns, noting that a substantial portion of the players brought in during the rebuild lack A-League or top-flight experience.
Among Lachie Barr, Zach Lisolajski, Anas Hamzaoui, Hiroaki Aoyama, Adam Bugarija, Nathaneal Blair, and Abdul Faisal, they collectively featured in just 12 top-flight matches last season – with Lisolajski accounting for half of those appearances. This lack of proven pedigree highlights the uphill battle the Glory face in building a competitive squad.
As another fan aptly noted on X:
If this ownership group wants fans to tolerate being this dire on the pitch as part of a rebuild, the club needs to explain why. If you’re clearing debt or focusing on building a training ground, be transparent and say so.
Questions need to be raised about the Glory’s management, given the promises made to fans this season. Phrases like “reigniting the Glory,” “we won’t tolerate failure next season,” and “we want to get to the top of the table quickly” must be backed up with meaningful action and results, or they risk becoming hollow rhetoric.
Ross Pelligra owes it to the fans to acknowledge their frustrations and concerns. The owner must show genuine commitment, ambition, and empathy. He has to clearly communicate why the team appears so off the pace and, more importantly, what steps will be taken to rectify it. At the end of the day, Pelligra owns this club. Perth Glory has a devoted fanbase, as evidenced by the passionate atmosphere created last night.
However, if the on-pitch and off-pitch performance continues to deliver so little return on investment, it’s hard to blame fans if they don’t show up. The club is at a crossroads, and this international break could be pivotal. What happens next will be telling.
All images courtesy of Tom McCarthy.
