Perth’s performance in their 4-0 drubbing of Gold Coast United drew high praise from the opposition, with Miron Bleiberg describing the Glory as Hyundai A-League championship contenders.
Ian Ferguson’s men continued their winning ways at nib Stadium on Monday night, setting a club A-League era record by extending their unbeaten run to eight games.
Their fifth win from six matches, which was set up by goals from Steven McGarry, Liam Miller, Travis Dodd before Adama Traore put the ball into his own net, put the Glory four points clear in fourth spot and just two points behind the second placed Wellington Phoenix.
And their emphatic surge up the ladder has other teams taking notice, according to Bleiberg.
“The way Glory played today, they are probably championship material,” the Gold Coast coach said.
“The Mariners have proved they are very stable and very consistent and the Roar, at their best, are the best team and we saw that a few days ago. But … with a bit of luck of the draw, Perth can go all the way.”
“Any of these players on the bench today for Perth Glory could walk into our team with red carpet, so even if you have one or two injuries you’ve got the depth and I’m not sure the Roar have the depth or that the Mariners do.”
“The local people should be proud and I believe they will make the top four and hopefully the top two.”
Victory was a major boost to the Glory’s hopes of making the A-League finals for just the second time, as they’re now seven points clear of seventh-placed Sydney with just seven games to go, while their chances of hosting a final for the first time also appear strong.
Perth are in tremendous form, having scored 11 goals in their past three games, and have four of their last six games at home, but Glory coach Ferguson was determined not to let championship talk distract his side.
“I know it’s a cliché and you’re probably sick of me saying it but it really is one game at a time,” he said.
“Anything is possible in the A-League. Our aim at the beginning of the season was to get to the top six if we can go higher, then great.”
“We’ve put ourselves in a fantastic position to get into the top four and maybe even the top six.”
Ferguson said Josh Mitchell still hadn’t made any significant progress in his recovery from knee soreness, while fellow defender Todd Howarth was likely to miss at least a fortnight with a groin complaint.
Perth’s next match is in Sydney on Saturday.
