Perth Glory coach Ian Ferguson believes his off-season recruiting spree has addressed the depth problems that plagued the club during the last campaign.
Ferguson identified the side’s inability to cope with player unavailability as a significant problem when he took over as coach midway through last season, when the club limped to a 10th-placed finish.
But he believes the signings of the likes of Liam Miller, Shane Smeltz, Danny Vukovic, Dean Heffernan and Bas van den Brink should address most of those concerns and help the club reach the finals for just the second time since the creation of the Hyundai A-League.
“I’m delighted with the squad we’re assembling at the moment because I feel as though the depth is a lot better,” Ferguson said.
“I’m trying to get two quality players for each position, where there is going to be competition, and that wasn’t here last year.”
“We’re headed towards that. We’re still 14 weeks away from the start of the season so that gives us plenty of time to try to gel and give the boys a bit of continuity.”
“It’s nice to get Liam on board, Van Den Brink as well, and we’ll hopefully get another one or two on board before the season starts.”
“We’re looking at another centre-half and we’re also looking for another midfielder, so we’re working very hard towards that. We’ve got two or three options, but we need to make sure we get the right ones in.”
Ferguson said the addition of former Manchester United, Celtic and Leeds United midfielder Miller would be particularly important for the upcoming season.
“I’m hoping he’s going to be one of our playmakers. He’s got a great engine, he’s up and down the park, everybody I’ve spoken to has given him rave reports,” he said.
“You don’t play for Man United if you’re any kind of mug. I think Australia will be very surprised when they see Liam play.”
“We were lacking energy and mobility and times and we’re trying to get that now. We’ve brought these players in who will hopefully give us that, from the full-backs to the midfield and even up.”
Miller, who spent the past two seasons playing with Scottish Premier League side Hibernian, said he was relishing the prospect of a new challenge with the Glory.
“It’s very exciting for me, I’m really looking forward to it,” he said.
“I think the most important factor for me (when joining Perth) was the football, which I’m really excited about … I’m sure it will be a good standard and I’m sure it will be a tough league, but a nice league to play in as well.”
