Nearly there, Glory fans. For those who have hung tough and not checked out like some understandably have, the curtain call is getting ever closer with four games remaining in what has been a season from hell.
Unwanted history looms large, but David Zdrilic has remained optimistic going into a difficult encounter against a very in-form Western United at Ironbark Fields.
While the previous two clashes between the teams this season have been relatively close affairs, a similar result for the third appears unlikely with the home side entering the contest on the hottest streak imaginable.
With all metrics pointing to loss number 16 this afternoon, some of the talking points as the Glory aim for the unlikeliest of away wins.
Could Bugarija blossom late?
Looking at the starting lineups in recent weeks, youthful exuberance has been noticeably absent bar the QPR-bound Jaylan Pearman.
The only other “young” starters have been Patrick Wood and Trent Ostler, who have been in the league for a few years now and haven’t established themselves as starters.
With an eye for the final four matches and next season, Adam Bugarija is the name that jumps out as one to watch.
Since returning from the Young Socceroos’ Asian Cup triumph, the 20-year-old has started well in the NPL and looked more confident at the top level against the Mariners.
He took four shots in a 15-minute cameo off the bench last week, keeping actively involved in the attack and wanting the ball in the final stages.
That eagerness, drive and energy is what the Glory will need to conjure up if they are to get anywhere near a result facing John Aloisi’s charges.
Including him in the mix with the likes of Taggart and Pearman would add a different flavour to a frontline in desperate need of some taste.
How many goals will be conceded?
The alarm bells are sounding more like sirens for the defence this week. After conceding three to the lacklustre in front of goal Central Coast, their next challenge is the red hot strike duo of Noah Botic and Hiroki Ibusuki.
Botic is leading the golden boot race, and Ibusuki always scores against Perth. Sixteen goals in their last four games; the main strikers have been great, but their goals come from multiple avenues and sources.
Boasting strong crossers and forwards with good heading ability, Tomi Mrcela and Tass Mourdoukoutas will need to be on their game with their positioning and in the aerial duels.
The full backs won’t be getting a rest day either, having to contend with the fleet of foot Matthew Grimaldi and Riku Danzaki.
Whichever way you look, the green and black have attacking threats. There is an air of inevitability around goals flying in this game.
The test for Zdrilic and the team will be to not let the game get out of hand quickly. A blowout is the last thing the manager and the team needs leading into the final home game of the season.
More output from midfield?
If I can take any positives from the last two games, it is that the midfielders have broken their goalscoring duck for the club.
Luke Amos produced a weak foot beauty against the Roar, while Nick Pennington thundered home a header from Jaylan Pearman’s out swinging corner.
Adam Taggart has been over relied upon for goals and assists this season; the call is out for his teammates to help, and the two in the centre have answered.
The expectation shouldn’t be on them every week, but if they can chip in more consistently it will alleviate the pressure on Taggart massively.
The likes of Pearman, Bugarija and Taras Gomulka are also included. As the more creative outlets, setting up the forwards is their primary job.
Twenty goals is the lowest amount a team has scored in a single season. The target should be to beat that; with the positive talk and some of the names on the team sheet, that is entirely possible.
Predicted lineup
Taggart
Pearman – Bugarija – Mileusnic
Amos – Pennington
Misao – Mourdoukoutas – Mrcela – Risdon
Sail
All images courtesy of Tom McCarthy.
