Scott Neville believes Sunday’s 4-0 defeat to Wellington Phoenix could prove to be a blessing in disguise for some of Perth Glory’s more inexperienced players.
Missing star players Robbie Fowler, Jacob Burns, Andy Todd, Jamie Harnwell and Adriano Pellegrino, coach Ian Ferguson fielded a young side at Westpac Stadium where they were overwhelmed by the more experienced Phoenix team in wet and windy conditions.
Although the Glory only trailed 1-0 at the break – after Tando Velaphi’s 10th-minute own-goal – the Phoenix took charge in the second half and claimed a vital three points with goals for Dylan Macallister, Vince Lia and Chris Greenacre.
But Neville, who is only 22 years old himself, said players such as Josh Risdon, Tommy Amphlett, Howard Fondyke, Brent Griffiths, Adam Taggart and Cameron Edwards would benefit from such a tough encounter.
“(The A-League) is tougher than a lot of them think. It’s hard out there,” said Neville.
“Wellington showed today, with the experience and the side they’ve got that our young boys are going to have to work a lot harder to get up to the standard that they are at.”
“It may be was a good thing today because they showed us where we have to be because they are at a different level.”
Ferguson felt there had been glimpses of promise from his side, particularly in the last 15 minutes of the match.
“I can’t say I’m really pleased with the performance, but there’s some encouraging signs there,” he said.
“There’s something to work towards. There are some good players in there and some good young kids coming through.”
“Hopefully we can add a few for next season and we can get Perth Glory back in winning ways.”
Ferguson said the next few weeks would be about giving the younger players the chance to push for contracts next season.
“They will be given a chance at A-League level and they’ll be judged on that. At youth team level they’ve obviously done something and they look pretty reasonable and comfortable at that level but I want to try them now at A-League level. It’s a totally different game.”
