Let’s have an honest conversation about where Perth Glory stands right now. Sunday’s 6-1 defeat to Macarthur was not just a bad day on the pitch – it was a harsh reality check.
This season was supposed to be a complete reset, heralding a new era with the club’s slogan, “Reignite the Glory”. Yet what we saw was far from a revival; it felt like more of the same old struggles.
After last season’s dismal end – conceding 23 goals in their final four games – fans were understandably frustrated but cautiously hopeful heading into this campaign. A new coach with fresh ideas, a revamped squad, and a decent run in the Australia Cup suggested the team might be on the verge of a breakthrough. But the humiliating loss to Macarthur shattered that fragile optimism, leaving many to wonder if this supposed reset was more talk than substance.
David Zdrilic, a tactically astute coach who apprenticed under Ralf Rangnick, is clearly capable. However, the players either aren’t fit enough to execute his system, or they simply lack the quality to do so at a high level. Defensive lapses and a lack of collective buy-in from the players were evident, and if the squad doesn’t improve quickly, it raises serious questions about recruitment and investment.
Adding to the frustration are troubling reports of disorganisation. Rumours suggest the team arrived in Campbelltown the night before the game, and Zdrilic himself admitted several players were “underdone” going into the match. This is concerning, given the A-League’s incredibly long pre-season. Additionally, football journalist Texi Smith reported that the players looked disorganised in the warm-up, with players running the wrong way in drills and laughing at themselves. This lack of focus painted a worrying picture before a critical game.
Perhaps the most troubling issue is the ownership situation. Ross Pelligra bought the club for a token fee but with the promise of significant investment, yet so far, those bold statements have not materialised. Fans are questioning whether the club is moving in the right direction, and Daniel McBreen echoed this sentiment on the A-League Off-Air podcast, asking quite bluntly, “Where the f*** are the statement signings?” Other clubs have brought in top players despite the league’s current financial landscape, but the Glory have yet to follow suit.
So far, all we’ve seen from the new ownership is cost-cutting, including the sacking of long-term staff and scaling back of the academy. Pelligra’s absence from key events like the MGP awards night and season launch only deepens the fans’ concerns. If things don’t improve quickly, Perth Glory could be staring at yet another wooden spoon. Fans deserve better than empty promises and poor performances, as Saturday’s match against Wellington Phoenix is now a must-win for the club to start proving its commitment to real change.
All images courtesy of Tom McCarthy.