Perth Glory boss Kenny Lowe says his side are focused on proving the critics wrong by winning the club’s first-ever Hyundai A-League Premier’s Plate.
Glory moved alongside Melbourne Victory equal on points at the top of the table following a scrappy 2-0 win over Newcastle Jets at Hunter Stadium on Easter Monday.
“We’ve got a great chance to win this. We’ve actually said that, why can’t we do that? We’ve got three games left,” Lowe told reporters post-game.
“Everyone’s written us off all year. No one’s really given us total respect but we’re still there with three games to go or whatever it is.”
The Glory have struggled in the second half of the season with just two wins in their past 10 matches, but will fancy their chances of a maiden title with two of their last three games at home.
Lowe hinted that a change in tactics has helped his side’s attacking fluency in recent weeks but insisted his side’s work ethic has not wavered during their lean run of form.
“We’ve always been the same. I’ve always come in the room the same, the players have gone about the business the same, it’s been no different to us,” he said.
“It’s probably a shock to everyone that we’re still in it. It’ll be even bigger shock if we win it.
“But ultimately it’s not about tactics or systems, it’s about the people we’ve got in our football club. They’re good people at the moment, they’re really turning up to play…long may it continue.”
Lowe also rejected suggestions the players were distracted by the salary cap drama surrounding the club.
“It’s their job. They’re there to do a job, same as me I’m there to coach. They’re [the players] there to play. I think that’s what we’ve shown all year,” he said.
“We’re not bothered about that. Let the guys at our club deal with that, let FFA come to their conclusion and then everyone will have a party one way or the other.”
