Posts tagged ‘owner’
You’ll Win Nothing With Kids – Well, Not If You Don’t Develop Them.
It comes as no surprise to hear Jesse Makarounas take a swipe at Perth Glory at his unveiling at new club Melbourne Victory, as his time at his home town club was wrought with frustration. It is however, still disappointing. Makarounas was signed after a spell at the AIS where he was marked for a big future in the game. He has languished in the shadows at NIB stadium on a match day making just four appearances from the bench in 18 months, while his AIS team mates have established themselves at other clubs prepared to give youth a chance.
One question that has to be asked is was Perth Glory the right club for Jesse Makarounas at that point in his career? As stated on “Not The Footy Show” at the time of his signing, we do not believe that it was. The style of football that they play he was always going to struggle to force his way into the side. Which proved to be the case.
A great deal has been made about the number of Western Australian players plying their trade in the Hyundai A League at other clubs and not with their home town one, and understandably the fans want to see local boys playing for their club, but sometimes that is not the best move for that particular player, and that has to be taken into account.
In March 2011 the much talked about Hatt Review into Perth Glory’s operations highlighted that Perth Glory needed to re-evaluate its recruiting processes and stated according to the club’s media release that ‘youth should be the priority.’
Fans and media were also advised that the Head Coach was to establish ‘clear performance goals for players and staff, and ensuring they are monitored and reported on regularly.’
Perth Glory have it appears since the Hatt Review signed local players simply to say that they have local talent at the club. As asked previously on this site has the club assisted those players in developing their game and getting those players closer to pushing for a first team position? It is one thing to sign a player who is raw and keen, but frequently a diamond has to be polished. Players need one-on-one help on developing areas of their game where they may be weak, shooting, crossing, positioning etcetera. Simply training as part of squad will see minimum improvement in some players.
As for playing young players it comes down to the culture at the club, and because of its past history, Perth Glory fans want success. The owner wants success, so the coach despite having a contract opts to play players with experience even if they are out of form, or results are not going his way, as he believes they have the know-how to deliver that success. His fear is by playing a youngster one mistake could result in a loss, which could ultimately see him sacked for not making finals. This is where strong leadership is required. The Owner should be giving guarantees that the coach’s job is safe until the end of the season but he wants to see young players coming through, after all they will bring money back into the club if transferred overseas. However time must be invested in those players to help them become good enough to hold a place in the A-League side.
More local players coming through and playing for Perth Glory will also help boost the crowds coming through the turnstiles, as West Australians are extremely parochial.
Perth Glory has to change the way it thinks as a club in terms of local players and the opportunities it affords young talent or we will continue to see players developed here in the West head elsewhere for game time and to play under coaches who have faith in them. Let us hope this change happens soon.
A Final Farewell?
It is fantastic to see Perth Glory in a Grand Final again, something many did not feel was possible at the start of this season, us included. We predicted a finals berth and that anything was possible after that, but in truth felt that a Grand Final was just a dream.
The Players and coaching staff deserve all of the credit, for the way they have gone about their business this season, and it is they who deserve the credit and the accolades.
Owner Tony Sage must also take some credit inasmuch as he put up the money to lure the best striker in the A League to Perth when Ferguson told him he was a key requirement.
There were many who questioned how such a squad was assembled within the salary cap, but should anything untoward be discovered down the track, the least the Glory have to worry about is a fine, similar to the one Sydney FC suffered; not anything as damaging as the punishment meted out by the NRL on the Melbourne Storm.
As anyone who follows sport knows it is at the end of the season that coaches earn their money, telling players who are out of contract that they are no longer required, and planning to bring in players who will enhance their squad so that they can achieve more than the previous season.
This is what is going to be expected from the fans of Perth Glory, yet sadly it looks as if this weekend’s Grand Final could well be the last hurrah for many of this year’s squad as they are being asked to take drops in salary if they wish to remain at the club.
One player instrumental to the success of the team this past season it is believed has been asked to take just under a 50% drop in his salary if he wishes to stay at the club. A very big ask whatever your earnings, and one that few would even be able to contemplate.
It is sad that the club has taken this approach with several players. It is a credit to all of those players that it has not detracted from their effort and commitment on the park, and for those reasons they deserve victory this weekend.
Is it the salary cap that has caused this situation, or is it the inability to lower the cost of running the club? Whatever the reasons many fans will question the true ambitions of the club if key players depart at the end of the season because they have been offered worse packages than they are currently on.
Of course that is unless the club manages to sign better players for the same money? That is one of the great things about football fans, you let a star go and sign a player who outperforms the departing player you are forgiven, sign one worse and it will be brought back to haunt you!
Hopefully this week such things can be put into the background as the team has managed to do for the past couple of months and they can go out and cap an outstanding season with an A league Grand Final Victory
