Perth midfielder James Robinson believes the team has identified why it’s conceded so many goals over the opening four rounds of the new Hyundai A-League campaign.
The Glory have let in 12 goals so far this season, while scoring only five to be last on the competition table with just one draw to their name heading into a season-defining clash with Wellington on Sunday.
And, while five of those goals were conceded in the Round Three match against Sydney, where a 10-man Perth was put to the sword following the early dismissal of left-back Dino Djulbic, the way the side’s defence was picked apart by a rampaging Queensland Roar last weekend has led to much soul-searching in the Glory rooms.
“We’re always honest and open ’cause that’s the best way to get the results out on the pitch,” said Robinson after the team completed a major review of the 3-0 loss with coach Dave Mitchell.
“We have sat down and pointed out areas where we need to improve and where we need to make sure that we improve.”
“(So) we move on and we take what’s happened, we try and rectify those problems and come game day, we’ll show what we’re made of.”
“But there’s no blame, putting down to one person. We accept collectively as a group what’s going on and it’s not down to one person and we all know that, so you don’t start pointing the finger. We lose as a team and we win as a team,” Robinson said.
Following last Sunday’s game, Mitchell said his side’s defensive woes could be largely attributed to a lack of concentration right across the pitch, adding his defenders didn’t react quickly enough to block rapidly taken free kicks, while his forwards and midfield failed to block opposition players coming through the middle and getting into goalscoring positions.
But Robinson feels the side has addressed these issues through its review and has bounced back on the training track this week, saying the boys were training with real purpose and coming into train on their days off.
“It was always going to be a bit of a disappointment but when you’ve got a day to reflect, the boys come back, as you see today from training, we’re all going to rectify it on Sunday and show what we’re made of properly.”
“Mitch said there’s going to be changes, so as everybody’s training and saying this week, you’ve got to work your socks off, you’ve got to grind out a win this Sunday, so no spots are guaranteed.”
One player who will not feature for the Glory this weekend is Brazilian playmaker Amaral, who was stretchered off the pitch last Sunday with what appeared to be a serious hamstring injury.
But, in a positive note from the Roar game, scans have indicated that the 35-year-old only suffered a minor hamstring strain and will miss three matches.
