Perth Glory interim coach Ian Ferguson hopes to finish the season off positively, although he knows a win over the Jets on Thursday night still won’t mask a desperately disappointing season.
Second-last on the table and with four consecutive losses to their name, Perth heads to EnergyAustralia Stadium to face a Newcastle side that will be desperate for a win to keep their own very slim chances of playing finals football alive this season.
Ferguson said it would be nice to send Tando Velaphi off on a positive note, after Melbourne Victory confirmed they had signed the goalkeeper for next season, but Ferguson said there was no way any win would lead to him sugar coating his post-season assessment to the players.
“It’s been a very poor season, I think all over,” Ferguson said.
“From the way we’ve played this season, five victories is just not good enough and that’ll be told in no uncertain terms.”
“Next year’s got to be different, there will be new changes there’s going to be a lot of personnel coming in and a lot of personnel leaving.”
“Next year’s going to be a big year for everybody, including myself, including the players and to go through another season like this, I’ll be out the door as quick as I go in it.”
“So I have to make sure we get the right personnel in here to drive this club forward and hopefully we can push on for next year.”
Ferguson said negotiations were continuing between the club and Robbie Fowler as to whether the 35-year-old former Liverpool striker would stay on for one more season.
But the coach said he was sad to see goalkeeper Velaphi head east to the Victory, although he understood the 23-year-old probably would have faced some very stiff competition from the newly signed Danny Vukovic.
“I felt Tando was never tested here,” Ferguson said, referring to the fact previous deputy Aleks Vrteski didn’t make a huge impression in the games he played.
“I felt the No.1 spot was always going to be his and told him when I was getting Danny in, that he had to be tested, two good goalkeepers for one spot and you know it was going to be good competition.”
“Unfortunately Tando, he’s gone to Melbourne Victory.”
“(But) look he’s done a fantastic job for the club and we wish him all the best.”
