Perth Glory defender Shane Lowry has urged his teammates to retain their composure as the in-form WA side chase a finals berth in the final four rounds of the Hyundai A-League season.
With six wins from its last seven games, Glory has spectacularly surged into the top six.
While the excitement of finals football looms, Lowry is confident the players will use their experience to stay focused.
“A lot of people in the media are writing about us now,” he said.
“We’ve been doing really well recently, but we’ve got to keep level-headed.
“We have experience in the team and many of our lads have been in this position before in different leagues around the world, so we’re not going to become complacent.”
“We’re taking each week as it comes and we’re looking forward to the next game.”
With most of the Perth Glory squad fit and firing, competition for places is also starting to heat up.
Long-term injury Ruben Zadkovich (knee) and Nebo Marinkovic (hamstring) will be the only players ruled out of contention for Sunday’s match against the Phoenix and Lowry believes it’s pushing the squad to work hard at training.
“I think competition for places is healthy. I don’t think anyone will be allowed to slack off now, because there are players champing at the bit.
“Professionalism comes second to none, we have good strong characters and we work really, really hard as a team.
“I’m glad I’m not the manager, so I don’t have to pick it.”
With four games to go, Glory is eyeing off a top-four finish, which would mean leapfrogging fourth placed Melbourne City, but it means coming away with results against a double-header against Wellington Phoenix and Newcastle Jets on the road over the next ten days.
Lowry is taking an optimistic approach to the road trip.
“It is difficult but the last away trip we had was good. A bit of time away with the boys builds team spirit. We’ll put our heads down, work hard and hopefully pick up points again on the road.”
Wellington Phoenix host Perth Glory at Westpac Stadium on Sunday.
