We are four rounds into the Isuzu Ute A-League Men’s season and Perth Glory find themselves with four points from a possible twelve.
Having drawn the home opener against Adelaide United, Richard Garcia’s side are now navigating a long stretch on the east coast with eight consecutive away fixtures that could become even more due to the current border restrictions.
A superb win over Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park was sandwiched between defeats to Western United and Melbourne City at the same venue.
With an extended break until they are next in action, here is a look at some of the reasons for fans to be positive.
Antonee Burke-Gilroy’s instant impact
Very little was known about Antonee Burke-Gilroy when he joined Glory in the offseason but the versatile 24-year-old is quickly becoming a fan favourite.
Born in the United Kingdom, Burke-Gilroy’s football journey has taken him from the Newcastle Jets to Portugal to the United States before settling with Brisbane Roar via Altona Magic in the National Premier League (NPL) Victoria.
On debut against Adelaide United, he saw a goal disallowed for a very narrow offside, before getting his first official goal for the club with a fantastic left foot shot against Melbourne Victory.
Off the pitch, Burke-Gilory is still getting to know his new teammates but told the media that he has already struck up a good relationship with Daniel Sturridge.
We were at the training ground, just had small talk and went from there.
I’ve learnt a lot of stuff on the park but also off the park, just him telling me about life and stuff which is definitely a help and what I can look forward to in the future.
We’ve been hanging out a fair bit. I’ve been picking his brain a little bit. He seems like an older brother to me right now which is good.
Garcia clearly rates Burke-Gilroy’s ability, giving him a start in the season opener on the right side of the defence, and he was then used in a midfield role against Victory.
If he builds on such an impressive start, Burke-Gilroy will become one of the first names on the teamsheet.
Bruno Fornaroli leading the line
He may be 34 years of age but Bruno Fornaroli is showing no signs of slowing down in front of goal.
The Uruguayan has always known where the net is and came to Glory in 2019 having scored 58 goals in just 70 games for Melbourne City.
In each of his two campaigns with the Perth side, he has scored 13 goals in 26 games and continues that average of a goal every other game this time round with two in four.
Both of those goals came from outside the penalty area, right footed strikes that got supporters out of their seats, however it is Fornaroli’s general play that is just as satisfying.
At times he has cut an isolated figure with Andy Keogh and Daniel Sturridge on the sidelines but his hold up play and work rate have been superb and more chances should come his way once the cavalry arrives.
The defensive resilience
Four games into the 2020/21 season, Glory had already shipped eleven goals and they kept just two clean sheets across the entire campaign.
Despite only winning one of the first four 2021/22 fixtures to date, they have only conceded three goals and that has been achieved with their backs to the wall for extended periods.
Young goalkeeper Cameron Cook hasn’t looked out of place in his three senior games so far (one in the FFA Cup and two in the A-League Men’s), while Aaron Calver has slotted in well having moved across from Western United.
Daryll Lachman has picked up where he left off last season and Jonathan Aspropotamitis appears to be growing in stature the more games he plays alongside the Curaçao international.
Kesuke Ota continues to impress on the left side, although there have been questions around whether he could be better utilised further forward with Jack Clisby taking up the more defensive duties.
Glory will have more than enough fire power at the other end of the pitch in the coming months to take some of the pressure off the backline but for now, Garcia has his defence well drilled and hard to break down.
The white goalkeeper jersey
While the teal away kit is a break from the norm and questionable at best, Glory’s apparel supplier Macron have nailed it with the accompanying goalkeeper jersey.
When Brad Jones strolled out to the AAMI Park pitch against Western United, his appearance in the all white number drew plenty of attention on social media. And rightly so.
Unfortunately it doesn’t appear to be for sale via the club shop at the moment (the blue and pink options are) but surely that will change in the New Year.
Key players to return
Injuries and absences have hit Glory hard already this year but those troubles should start to ease over the next week or two.
Andy Keogh is currently nursing a calf injury sustained against Adelaide United and Daniel Sturridge is working his way up to match fitness, while captain Brandon O’Neill remains in Perth following the birth of his first child. Carlo Armiento has already been ruled out for the season having ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
Throw in a calf issue for Brad Jones that will keep him out until the end of January, and the fact that Liam Reddy is still recovering from offseason shoulder injury, and you see the squad’s depth being tested just four games into the season.
However, midfielder Callum Timmins returned off the bench against Melbourne City, while Keogh and Sturridge could be involved against Brisbane Roar next weekend.
Mitchell Oxborrow and Osama Malik are two other players working their way back from injury and could be included in the squad once Glory set up camp in New South Wales over the next month.
Once Glory get their full strength team onto the pitch at the same time, they should be a match for anyone in the competition.
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