Greater depth helping Glory

Published on: 18 November 2018

Perth Glory's excellent start to the A-League campaign is in part due to them having greater depth in their squad, believes owner Tony Sage.

Former Western Sydney coach Tony Popovic has made an immediate impact since taking charge, guiding the Glory to the top of the table after four rounds.

And the fact that he's been able to do so without some of the squad's top names has been significant, as far as Sage is concerned.

The owner isn't getting carried away at this early stage of the campaign, but is certainly happy to have points in the bank after three consecutive wins.

When you add those players to the equation it looks pretty good.

Tony Sage

"We haven't had Diego Castro, Matthew Spiranovic, Brendon Santalab or Chris Harold play this season yet - and three out of the four would probably make the starting team in years gone by," said Sage.

"That gives you an indication of the depth at the club; when you add those players to the equation it looks pretty good.

"There's also a completely different playing style now from the Perth Glory of the last four or five years, and the fitness levels are extremely high."

Popovic coached Wanderers to the premiership as well as three Grand Finals, and Sage says he has created a lot of depth at Perth by attracting quality players who want to work under him.

Their early-season form, which has seen them build a two-point gap at the top of the table, will have fans dreaming of a first A-League championship.

During Sage's time at the club, which now spans more than a decade, Perth have reached the Grand Final once and have lost in two FFA Cup finals.

He says it won't be until Round 15 that the league starts to take shape, adding: "I'm just happy we've got points in the bag before Christmas, when in the previous four or five years we haven't had that.

"There are lots of things that can happen, in terms of injuries and such, and we're taking nothing for granted I can assure you."

Perth are 5/1 to win the Grand Final.

The Glory are 2/5 to win their next game against Central Coast, who are 6/1 with the draw 15/4.

View all Soccer betting

Perth Glory's excellent start to the A-League campaign is in part due to them having greater depth in their squad, believes owner Tony Sage.

Former Western Sydney coach Tony Popovic has made an immediate impact since taking charge, guiding the Glory to the top of the table after four rounds.

And the fact that he's been able to do so without some of the squad's top names has been significant, as far as Sage is concerned.

The owner isn't getting carried away at this early stage of the campaign, but is certainly happy to have points in the bank after three consecutive wins.

When you add those players to the equation it looks pretty good.

Tony Sage

"We haven't had Diego Castro, Matthew Spiranovic, Brendon Santalab or Chris Harold play this season yet - and three out of the four would probably make the starting team in years gone by," said Sage.

"That gives you an indication of the depth at the club; when you add those players to the equation it looks pretty good.

"There's also a completely different playing style now from the Perth Glory of the last four or five years, and the fitness levels are extremely high."

Popovic coached Wanderers to the premiership as well as three Grand Finals, and Sage says he has created a lot of depth at Perth by attracting quality players who want to work under him.

Their early-season form, which has seen them build a two-point gap at the top of the table, will have fans dreaming of a first A-League championship.

During Sage's time at the club, which now spans more than a decade, Perth have reached the Grand Final once and have lost in two FFA Cup finals.

He says it won't be until Round 15 that the league starts to take shape, adding: "I'm just happy we've got points in the bag before Christmas, when in the previous four or five years we haven't had that.

"There are lots of things that can happen, in terms of injuries and such, and we're taking nothing for granted I can assure you."

Perth are 5/1 to win the Grand Final.

The Glory are 2/5 to win their next game against Central Coast, who are 6/1 with the draw 15/4.

View all Soccer betting

Source: bet365.com

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