Perth Glory midfielder Adriano Pellegrino may have scored a contender for goal of the season, but he admits it counts for naught without getting the results the club so desperately need.
Known for long-range screamers after a 25-metre effort against Melbourne Victory two years ago, Pellegrino wound back the clock with a similar 30-metre strike against Brisbane in Wednesday’s 3-2 loss to the Roar.
Taking possession, Pellegrino knocked in a beautifully flighted strike that curled in mid-air, giving Michael Theoklitos no chance whatsoever.
But with the Glory wallowing in ninth on the Hyundai A-League table, having played 18 matches so far this season, the Western Australians know time is running out to make a run for the finals, regardless of the quality of goals along the way.
“I was about to run to the corner flag and then I realised we were losing, so I thought I’d better run and get the ball,” Pellegrino said ahead of Perth’s clash with North Queensland on Sunday.
“I’m happy for the goal, whether it was a screamer from 30 metres or a tap in, I would have been happy with either.”
“(But) you can’t really celebrate those (without the win),” he added.
“I think it was better than the goal I scored against Melbourne, just the timing of it wasn’t the best.”
On the road this week, the Glory are preparing for their third away match in succession after a 2-0 loss to Sydney FC last Sunday and the result against the Roar midweek.
The losses were exactly what interim coach Ian Ferguson didn’t need, especially after the club’s 3-1 win over Melbourne on November 14, where the Glory produced their best performance of the season.
But with injuries to key defenders Andy Todd (hip) and Jamie Harnwell (calf) coming immediately after the Melbourne game, the Glory were always going to be on the back foot.
For Sunday’s clash in Townsville, their defence has been significantly reduced. On top of Todd and Harnwell’s continued absence, Scott Neville and Josh Mitchell will both miss through suspension after receiving red cards against the Roar.
Jamie Coyne (hip) and Naum Sekulovski (groin) also go into the game under injury clouds, although Brent Griffiths does return from a one-match suspension for his red card against Sydney FC.
Despite the odds being stacked against Perth’s back four, Pellegrino is adamant the club has the depth to counter North Queensland, who were unfortunate to draw themselves with the Roar in last weekend’s 1-1 result.
“I think Naumy had some scans on the injury and everything came back all clear, so they’ve just been monitoring him over the last couple of days,” Pellegrino said.
“They’ll (the coaches) make a final decision on them (Sekulovski and Coyne) on Saturday.”
“But if one comes out, another comes in. We’ve got enough space here at the moment for someone to come in and take the spots and a lot of boys have got opportunities.”
And, as for Pellegrino, despite an unsettled period where he’s been in and out of the side, the midfielder is still third for goal assists in the league with four and his strike will definitely impress his coach in a Glory side struggling to score.
But despite being out of contract at the end of this campaign, Pellegrino says he’d never selfishly just play for his future.
“I’ve been in and out of the team the last few weeks with starting,” Pellegrino said.
“But that comes down to the coach, it’s the coach’s decision and no matter what happens, I keep going out and training hard and working hard.”
“Of course everyone that’s out of contract is being looked at and with the new gaffer now, he has to make his decision on players.”
“But it’s not really a thought that comes into your head, I’m playing for my contract.”
“I’ve been at the club now for three years and I go out on the pitch every week and do the best for my club, for Perth Glory, not for anything else.”
“The main thing is just trying to get ourselves some results now for the end of the season and we’ll let the rest take its course.”
