Perth Glory interim coach Ian Ferguson believes opposition teams may just have worked out how to counter league leader Brisbane, and he’s hoping his side can cash in on Wednesday night at Suncorp Stadium.
Although Ferguson acknowledged Brisbane were coming off a very hectic schedule, he felt the Roar’s two most recent games, 1-1 draws with Newcastle and North Queensland, had given him a good tactical insight into nullifying the high-tempo, hard-running style that’s taken the Queenslanders to the top of the pile.
“I think Newcastle pressed a high game on them and I’m the sort of manager that likes to play that way,” Ferguson said from Brisbane.
Although Ferguson didn’t give too much away tactically, playing a high defensive line against the Roar would presumably reduce the amount of space the Brisbane players can run into.
And, by creating a congested midfield battle – the type of contest Glory skipper and defensive midfielder Jacob Burns thrives on – Perth plan to limit the amount of time given to the Roar players when they have possession.
“I hate players being given time to pick players out and sometimes you give to much room to good players and they hurt you,” Ferguson said.
“I think Newcastle and Branko (coach Branko Culina) did that well the other night.”
“And also, I think North Queensland played a very good game against them as well.”
“So they’re a very good team, there’s no doubt about that, their mobility and the movement from them is just fantastic.”
“They’ve got great experience and fast young kids in there in (Mitch) Nicholls, great experience with (Matt) McKay, (Massimo) Murdocca in there as well and they’ve added some good players, (Thomas) Broich, Reinaldo, (Kosta) Barbarouses, they’re quality all over.”
“And, we’ve just got to make sure that we don’t give these players the time on the ball they’ve been getting lately.”
Rank outsiders with the bookies at $6.00 to defeat the Roar in Brisbane, the ninth-placed Glory may have looked on the up with a 3-1 win over Melbourne on November 14, but they crashed back down to earth last Sunday with a 2-0 loss to Sydney FC.
Injuries to central defenders Andy Todd (hip) and Jamie Harnwell (calf) haven’t helped their cause, while young defender Brent Griffiths won’t play against Brisbane after being dismissed in the 90th minute against Sydney, for his professional foul on Alex Brosque.
The Glory will regain Scott Neville however, from suspension while Mile Sterjovski could start on Wednesday night as he’s fully recovered from a groin strain.
“It has been hard,” Ferguson said.
“The boys have been through this where they’ve been defeated and won a game and drawn a game and then back to defeat again.”
“So we need to try and regroup and go again. Hopefully have a good game against Brisbane Roar.”
