Perth Glory’s dry spell over the past two months ended with a 4-0 thumping of Newcastle on Boxing Day and coach Dave Mitchell hopes it gives his team the confidence to continue that form.
The Glory had been cemented in the top-six for most of the season until the recent run of just one win from nine matches, including some disheartening performances away from home.
That all changed on Boxing Day at ME Bank Stadium with three first-half goals and then the sealer after the break.
Mitchell was delighted with the performance and is hopeful it will lead to a good run of winning performance after the week off.
“It would have been annoying for sure not to have won. Our home games are important for us because we don-t seem to pick up too many points away, so we have to keep home strong. Hopefully this nails us in the top-six and we can build on it,” Mitchell said.
“It was a convincing win and we played for 90 minutes, which was good. We kept a clean sheet, were resolute and strong. It was an important game for us, all the boys were hurting from past results and comments that have been made. They are a good bunch so I’m happy for the players, the club and the supporters. It was a good day.”
The Jets came to Perth in roaring form after four straight wins, but once the Glory got the game’s opening goal through Naum Sekulovski in the 19th minute, Mitchell noticed a lift in confidence from his side and it was a good reward for those that have remained firm during some tough times.
“Over the last few weeks we have lost a little bit of confidence and that was due to some of the results. We scored at the right time and got the confidence from that,” he said.
“There was a good crowd and as a whole you talk about pressure, but Tony Sage has been a rock solid supporter of myself, Lui Giuliani has said that the club will back me and know that I have the best interests of the club at heart. When you talk about Jamie Harnwell it’s true what they say about him, when you cut him and purple comes out in his blood.”
Harnwell’s two goals was the standout performance for the Glory, but virtually the whole squad performed well and Mitchell also hopes it stops some of the nay-sayers from taking pot shots at the club now.
“It was a great performance and there were a lot of great players. Andy Todd, Jacob Burns and Chris Coyne were outstanding, (Mile) Sterjovski stepped up and of Mr Harnwell. It was a great team performance and it was very satisfying,” he said.
“With Jamie up front with Mile it’s a good connection and partnership. We’ve analysed the problems we’ve had in the past, looked over them and worked through them at training. It all clicked, but if Newcastle scored first we might have been nervous and not got back in the game. It was important we scored first to get that confidence. “
“Hopefully this will settle down a lot of people outside the club who have been throwing some darts.”
