One question seems to be on the minds of many Perth Glory and A-League fans as we head into Round 4 of this season – why hasn’t Adam Taggart found the back of the net yet?
Taggart, last season’s Golden Boot winner with an impressive 20 goals for a team that ultimately finished last, has yet to score this season, and his frustration has been palpable on the pitch. His absence from the scoresheet has highlighted a broader issue – the Glory’s once-potent attack appears to be struggling to make an impact.
No doubt, head coach David Zdrilic is reflecting on this daily, considering how to sharpen the Glory’s attacking edge. So, the pressing question remains – why has this slump occurred, and, more importantly, how can it be turned around?
When analysing Perth Glory’s attacking performance from a team perspective, it’s evident that they’ve struggled to create high-value chances consistently this season. This issue was glaringly apparent in their recent 0-0 draw against Central Coast Mariners, where their first and only shot on target came in the 91st minute.
This trend has become a recurring pattern, with the Glory currently ranked 13th in the league for expected goals (xG) and Big Chances Created, and 12th for shots on target per game. Given the team’s attacking output last season, this marks a concerning drop-off in their offensive efficiency.
Focusing on Adam Taggart’s individual performance, the decline in his metrics is concerning. His expected goals (xG) per 90 minutes have plummeted by 83.3%, his shots per 90 have fallen by 35.3%, and his shots on target per 90 have dropped by 50%. These were areas where Taggart excelled last season, ranking among the best forwards in the league.
Comparing his shot map this season to the previous one reveals a worrying trend – he hasn’t had many high-value chances. This brings us to the crux of the issue – in order to get the best out of Adam Taggart, the service has to improve.
A number of A-League commentators have pointed out that the quality of service to Taggart has been subpar this season, and that’s a fair assessment. Too often, the crosses into the box are not tailored to Taggart’s strengths, and there’s a lack of targeting specific areas. Additionally, the link-up play around the box has been largely absent, reflected in the significant 48% drop-off in the number of touches within the opposition’s box Taggart averaged per 90 minutes compared to last season.
One could also argue that the positioning of the players around Adam Taggart needs to improve. He often appears isolated when Glory have possession, which limits opportunities for effective link-up play and reduces the creation of chances in the final third.
Ultimately, this issue requires a collective effort from both David Zdrilic and the players surrounding Taggart. If the team can find a way to get Adam Taggart firing, the results will follow. The hope is that we see an improved attacking performance when they face Melbourne City at home this Sunday.
All images courtesy of Tom McCarthy.
