On this day four weeks ago, Adam Griffiths’ first game as interim coach ended in a frustrating 1-0 defeat to the Central Coast Mariners.
The crowd figure wasn’t great, the performance was slightly better than before, but the result was the same.
At the time, the Glory were rooted to the bottom of the table, without a head coach and in real danger of letting another season slip away just as it had gotten underway.
Amazing how the tide can shift so quickly in two weeks. There still isn’t a head coach, but what we do have in Adam Griffiths is a man who has the support of the players and has managed two wins on the road, something no other A-League team has managed so far.
Keeping the momentum going is the next step of the plan. The Glory are back at home, with tonight being the first of three in a row at HBF Park.
Western Sydney are in a similar boat. Winless in their opening four games, now coming off two wins in a row.
It sets up a thrilling Friday night encounter. It may not have the same drama as the Sydney Derby last week, but it is sure to be an excellent watch.
Nicholas Pennington: starter or super sub?
If you had asked me at the beginning of the season who I thought would be the Glory’s leading goalscorer after six games, Nicholas Pennington is a name I definitely would not have said.
The 26-year-old has had an interrupted start to his campaign, yet to make a start and with only 109 minutes of game time under his belt.
Limited minutes, but with real impact. A brilliant penalty to win the game against Newcastle (and a disallowed goal to boot), followed up with a neat finish just minutes after coming on against the Bulls.
This question mainly depends on Pennington’s fitness and conditioning. When fully fit, he would slot straight back into the starting side.
If he’s not quite right, there is no harm in using him late in the game when bodies are tired. The Glory have lacked a really good option off the bench, and Pennington is definitely a player with X-factor who can make a real difference.
Will Freney was good paired with Rhys Bozinovski in Campbelltown, and Callum Timmins is another option in midfield who can be called upon. Pennington’s return doesn’t need to be rushed, but if his body is good to go, I’d be putting him in.
Will Tom Lawrence beat Lawrence Thomas?
A Welsh wonder with a goal and an assist in his last two, or the goalkeeper who has made a competition-high 25 saves this season, five of which came last week in a masterful performance.
Very rarely do you see a scenario like this one. It’s just as rare when both players come into the contest in good form, directly opposed against each other.
The Glory’s Lawrence put away his chance against Newcastle convincingly, and then turned provider for Nicholas Pennington to give the Glory the lead against Macarthur.
He also hit the post early in the first half and put in some very tasty set-pieces, one of which flashed just wide after beating everyone in the box.
Worryingly for opposition players and supporters alike, the forward has said himself he isn’t there fully. What we’ve seen is just a sample.
As Lawrence gets fitter and builds his connection with the rest of the attackers, there will hopefully be more goals and assists to come.
The Wanderers’ defence under Staj has been good, but it is by no means impenetrable. Given his form going in, I’m backing the no.34 to put one past the Wanderers keeper in front of The Shed.
Predicted lineup
Lawrence – Taggart
Freney – Pennington – Bozinovski – Kucharski
Shamoon – Wootton – Kaltak – Ostler
Sutton
All images courtesy of Tom McCarthy.
