Despite the frustrations of letting in late goals, Perth Glory coach Dave Mitchell likes how his Hyundai A-League side is progressing and is now seeking results away from home.
The Glory have so far lost on the road this season to Adelaide United, Wellington Phoenix and the Central Coast Mariners, while performing well at home with wins over the Newcastle Jets and Melbourne Victory, and a controversial draw last Sunday with Gold Coast United.
With a host of new faces coming in this season, Mitchell always felt it could take time for the group to click, but he’s starting to see it come together.
However, the true test will come on the road against the Brisbane Roar and the following week in Newcastle against the Jets.
“It’s a long season now with the 27 games and we are building. We said we would get better and I think everyone can see that we are doing that week in and week out,” Mitchell said.
“It’s just a matter of time before we keep winning at home and start picking up points away. That’s a psychological problem that I’m sure we will overcome.”
Mitchell is happy with the progress of the Glory’s off-season recruits, including Jacob Burns, Chris Coyne, Branko Jelic, Mile Sterjovski and Andy Todd.
“People have moved from the other side of the world and it takes a while to adjust. You can see that gradually Branko is getting better and better, his confidence is growing and he’s looking like a real class player,” he said.
“The same with Andy Todd. He’s settling in, his kids have just gone to school this week and he’s starting to feel comfortable, and he’s been outstanding. Chris Coyne has come over and been a real leader, and from the evidence of how we are playing it’s great, and we will win games.”
Mitchell might be a little frustrated with the way games have gone late in the piece, but was quick to douse any speculation that it’s due to fitness.
“When we played Central Coast it wasn-t the player’s fitness that was the problem, it was just a mistake by Tando. When we played Wellington we dominated the second half, hit the bar twice, had two cleared off the line and that wasn’t a fitness issue, so there’s no way we are unfit,” he said.
“It has just been a bit of a lack of concentration at certain points and with the free kick that happened, everyone switched off thinking it was ours and credit to Gold Coast for taking it quickly and catching us out.”
Glory goalkeeper Tando Velaphi looks an unlikely starter in Brisbane on Sunday as he is still feeling the effects of concussion suffered when Shane Smeltz scored the equalising goal, but Mitchell has faith in Aleks Vrteski and is confident of a good performance against the Roar.
“He’s (Velaphi) not training again and took a bit of a knock on his head. He’s a terrific young kid, but his health is the most important thing and we want to make sure he’s right if he’s going to play. If not, we have Aleks Vrteski who’s been dying to get in the post and he is looking very good,” he said.
“They are a very good outfit. They have a couple of young guys missing this week, but they have depth in their squad and are a good side. They won 3-0 away from home last time and it will be a good challenge for us, but one we are looking forward to. We think we can go into any game or situation and do well.”
