Australia Cup vs Perth Glory | Sun 27th Jul | 7:00pm | YouTube

Pennington had family in Perth iirc and wanted to be near them? 

I think there will be a lot more pressure on the squad. Already the reserves have made plain that they’re keen to step up with their performance against Wrexham. If Retre doesn’t perform he’ll find two or three looking to take his place. Hopefully. 

Friar Tuck

coochiee

Smeltz4PM

I'll also add to those who weren't real impressed with Retre; he was 'warming up' right in front of where I was standing and he could not have looked less interested in being there if he tried.

'Collecting a pay cheque'. Gotta pay for that Insta worthy apparently glamour wedding, somehow.

Very early days, but he's under pressure to get fit and perform. Otherwise he might be the next player to suffer from Chiefy's cold shoulder and early mutual release exit.

Should never have let Pennington go. He’s a far better player than Retre in 2025 and would be approaching citizenship if he wanted to pull a Durante.

Absolutely this. I always thought it odd the level of criticism he received. Bit unorthodox in his playing style, fair, but he was bloody good.

Was Retre decent back at Sydney? He just seems like such a low effort cruiser with us. You'd struggle to believe he made a professional living as a footballer let alone one that was part of title winning sides.

Easy to say early days for Retre, but he was here last season, he's a seasoned pro in the a-league and played the league winning Sydney team in 2017/18.
Although since his time in India he seems to be on cruise control.

Friar Tuck

coochiee

Smeltz4PM

I'll also add to those who weren't real impressed with Retre; he was 'warming up' right in front of where I was standing and he could not have looked less interested in being there if he tried.

'Collecting a pay cheque'. Gotta pay for that Insta worthy apparently glamour wedding, somehow.

Very early days, but he's under pressure to get fit and perform. Otherwise he might be the next player to suffer from Chiefy's cold shoulder and early mutual release exit.

Should never have let Pennington go. He’s a far better player than Retre in 2025 and would be approaching citizenship if he wanted to pull a Durante.

Wasnt let go contract expired so he moved on as players do  when their contracts expire. Another one who chose not to accept the offer placed before him. Glad we didnt go to overs to keep him. Agree he was useful but with time think some are looking at him with "rose tinted glasses"

Retre's lack of effort is simply highlighting the impact of Pennington choosing to chase the cash in Perth. Not sure if the extra cash and warmer weather makes up for playing in a shark team.

theprof

Retre's lack of effort is simply highlighting the impact of Pennington choosing to chase the cash in Perth. Not sure if the extra cash and warmer weather makes up for playing in a shark team.

Yeah but apart from 23/24 we really arnt performing much better. They have at least shown some real intent to improve with who they have brought in this season. Actually a bit scary to think how Taggart might perform with a better team behind him.

ballane

theprof

Retre's lack of effort is simply highlighting the impact of Pennington choosing to chase the cash in Perth. Not sure if the extra cash and warmer weather makes up for playing in a shark team.

Yeah but apart from 23/24 we really arnt performing much better. They have at least shown some real intent to improve with who they have brought in this season. Actually a bit scary to think how Taggart might perform with a better team behind him.

I'm not sure about Perth's improvement, they looked very average against us without our capt, new striker and RB. 
I predict that even with Kaltak and Wootten they'll be mid to bottom again.

Pennington & Laws are in their prime years now and would've been great for the Nix this coming year. Experience mixed with youth. No rose tinted glasses. it's what you saw when they weren't on the ball, not just the good range of passing from both. Pennington and Rufer made a good pairing. Laws would be a big improvement on Wooten at this point in time. Other than at Corners, Wooten looked out of sorts.

theprof

Easy to say early days for Retre, but he was here last season, he's a seasoned pro in the a-league and played the league winning Sydney team in 2017/18.
Although since his time in India he seems to be on cruise control.

Retre played well in the Sydney team of 2017-2018 and while not a match-winner himself he was nevertheless solid, in a solid team coached by Graham Arnold and Steve Corica, with Bobo and Ninkovic scoring every game.
But 2017-2018 was a long time ago.

theprof

Easy to say early days for Retre, but he was here last season, he's a seasoned pro in the a-league and played the league winning Sydney team in 2017/18.
Although since his time in India he seems to be on cruise control.

Mainland FC

theprof

Easy to say early days for Retre, but he was here last season, he's a seasoned pro in the a-league and played the league winning Sydney team in 2017/18.
Although since his time in India he seems to be on cruise control.

Retre played well in the Sydney team of 2017-2018 and while not a match-winner himself he was nevertheless solid, in a solid team coached by Graham Arnold and Steve Corica, with Bobo and Ninkovic scoring every game.
But 2017-2018 was a long time ago.

theprof

Easy to say early days for Retre, but he was here last season, he's a seasoned pro in the a-league and played the league winning Sydney team in 2017/18.
Although since his time in India he seems to be on cruise control.

that's kinda my point, he's never been a flashy player (nor is Pennington) but Retre is no longer the work horse, pair of steady hands that we need from a seasoned pro. We should be getting better effort, leadership from a guy with his experience

Wait, wait- fairly sure Pennington chose Perth because he was starting a family and wanted to be close to rellies in WA? 

And yeh- good defender, fit, ran all day, quick passer in transition, worked well with Rufer and would slot straight into our top 11, but he’s gone. And yeh, it is his spot that worries me. Retre and Nagasawa aren’t chasing anyone down. Roa Conchie is a good prospect, but not yet an A league starter. Sheridan has been diligent, but is also a work in progress. 

But no one rated Pennington going into Chief’s first season, and then we saw his quality. Could be a few players who step up this season imo.

Perth has direct flights to Europe which is huge if you have family in Italy

newzealandpower

Perth has direct flights to Europe which is huge if you have family in Italy

More importantly, one of the two direct non-stop flights is Perth-Rome.
The other one is Perth-Paris.  Qantas has done their homework.

Mainland FC

newzealandpower

Perth has direct flights to Europe which is huge if you have family in Italy

More importantly, one of the two direct non-stop flight is Perth-Rome.
The other one is Perth-Paris.  Qantas has done their homework.

What about Perth - Athens?

Mainland FC

newzealandpower

Perth has direct flights to Europe which is huge if you have family in Italy

More importantly, one of the two direct non-stop flight is Perth-Rome.
The other one is Perth-Paris.  Qantas has done their homework.

CONFIRMED: Perth Glory are in Qantas’ pocket specifically to convince Wellington based players with links to Europe to join their squad.

If Eze bags 20 goals, and Qantas put on a Perth-Lagos flight, the your suspicions will be confirmed.

Actually I once flew a Perth-Jo'burg leg, alongside a Kiwi guy (lived Kapiti Coast) who did fly in fly out to Angola!  Tough trip to make regularly. He was in the oil industry, so presuming the cash was attractive. 

People seem to have a better memory than me when it comes to Pennington and Laws. Yep both occasionally did some good stuff but both were pron to some terrible stuff. Not sure they were the standouts some are suggesting and no way would i think Laws was on the same level as Wooten 

ballane

People seem to have a better memory than me when it comes to Pennington and Laws. Yep both occasionally did some good stuff but both were pron to some terrible stuff. Not sure they were the standouts some are suggesting and no way would i think Laws was on the same level as Wooten 

ballane

People seem to have a better memory than me when it comes to Pennington and Laws. Yep both occasionally did some good stuff but both were pron to some terrible stuff. Not sure they were the standouts some are suggesting and no way would i think Laws was on the same level as Wooten 

Laws vs Wootton?  They were with us at a different stage of their careers.  Laws is still just 26 now and a more mature player than the young guy he was when he played for the Nix. Also, he had a bad run of injuries when he started with us (was it an ankle?) 
In contrast Wootton is now 33 and is clearly more experienced than Laws but I would argue he has somewhat peaked while playing with us.  
I am probably a bit unfair on Wootton as I always compare him to Taylor whose spot he inherited.  Like there is only only Kosta, there was only one Taylor.

I think Hughes is already as good as, if not better than Laws

Mainland FC

ballane

People seem to have a better memory than me when it comes to Pennington and Laws. Yep both occasionally did some good stuff but both were pron to some terrible stuff. Not sure they were the standouts some are suggesting and no way would i think Laws was on the same level as Wooten 

ballane

People seem to have a better memory than me when it comes to Pennington and Laws. Yep both occasionally did some good stuff but both were pron to some terrible stuff. Not sure they were the standouts some are suggesting and no way would i think Laws was on the same level as Wooten 

Laws vs Wootton?  Hard for me to compare, but I reckon they were with us at a different stage of their careers.  Laws is still just 26 now and a more mature player than the young guy he was when he played for the Nix. Also, he had a bad run of injuries when he started with us (was it an ankle?) 
In contrast Wootton is now 33 and is clearly more experienced than Laws but I would argue he has somewhat peaked while playing with us.  
I am probably a bit unfair on Wootton as I always compare him to Taylor whose spot he inherited.  Like there is only only Kosta, there was only one Taylor.

I also think it’s hard to say how he would have gone with Chief as head coach. Pennington thrived more under Chief. 

I have to be honest on Laws, I never thought he was 100% secure as a starter with us. But he was a leader when we had an injury crisis iirc. 

Is the draw for the next round after the games playing right now? Looks like only 6 A-League teams are gonna be in it

We've drawn Nunawading FC! The easiest draw we could've gotten. They're in NPL Vic 3
And if we make it to the quarters will be against WSW most likely and then in the Semis we could face Auckland if they make it that far as well as us.

Would be nice to KO Kosta

Now we await the confirmation of the fixture's date.

Auckland would host, just days after NZ vs AU at Mt Smart. Would be a huge week of football

wilbaker

We've drawn Nunawading FC! The easiest draw we could've gotten. They're in NPL Vic 3
And if we make it to the quarters will be against WSW most likely and then in the Semis we could face Auckland if they make it that far as well as us.

Not sure thats a given they would host, if you look at that draw they are named first in the quarters but they arnt going to get a home game for it. You may be right would actually be cool if it was neutral venue. 

ballane

Not sure thats a given they would host, if you look at that draw they are named first in the quarters but they arnt going to get a home game for it. You may be right would actually be cool if it was neutral venue. 

Despite both being named first, the Phoenix (M5) and AFC (M1) would both be the away teams for the QFs.

AFC would unfortunately host if they win their QF (QF 2) because they are the first drawn team for SF 1 against the winner of QF 3 which could be us.

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So after we beat Nunawading, then WSW, then Auckland FC, would you consider flying over to Aus for the Final? I know I definitely would if it was an A-League GF, haven't really considered what I would do if we got to the Australia Cup Final. 

(touching wood)

Since2007

So after we beat Nunawading, then WSW, then Auckland FC, would you consider flying over to Aus for the Final? I know I definitely would if it was an A-League GF, haven't really considered what I would do if we got to the Australia Cup Final. 

(touching wood)

 I hope Chris consented to the touch 

No means yes

Maaaaaaatt

Since2007

So after we beat Nunawading, then WSW, then Auckland FC, would you consider flying over to Aus for the Final? I know I definitely would if it was an A-League GF, haven't really considered what I would do if we got to the Australia Cup Final. 

(touching wood)

 I hope Chris consented to the touch 

Na keeping my cash for a  YF tour of duty.

wilbaker

We've drawn Nunawading FC! The easiest draw we could've gotten. They're in NPL Vic 3
And if we make it to the quarters will be against WSW most likely and then in the Semis we could face Auckland if they make it that far as well as us.

WSW would be tough, they're looking pretty strong. We'd have to have a near full strength squad together and playing well to have a chance imo.

Late thoughts on the game... Smith looks pretty slow. Failed to cut out a cross once,  lost a foot race with a few metres headstart another time. Noticeably slower than Hughes. And not as good in the air.
Sheridan had an off day. Robbed of the ball, leading to a chance for Perth, strayed too far forward too often for a CB, even appearing on the R wing a couple of times.
A few passes to the opposition too. He's better than this!
Nunawading might be a good time to blood another CB, like Munro.
LKH is my pick for DM alongside Rufer, on current form. Assuming Armiento is LWB. His long legs seem to win most scraps for possession and he's skilful and creative. Some controlled aggression might help his game.

Glory lost to AC Milan last night 0-9. 

Perth might have to consider changing their name.

Zdrilic must be under some pressure.

RR

Glory lost to AC Milan last night 0-9. 

watched the goals and the last few Sail was just flapping in the wind, last one he dives under the ball's trajectory - I doubt he would have got to it but just highlighted how bad he actually has become.

Yeah, all good if someone like Sutton wants to go to get some more money, but also a bit of a cautionary tale that a bad team can be a career derailer.

Rumor was that Sail went to Perth because they agreed to a clause which would allow him to leave if he got an overseas contract, the Phoenix refused  to put that in. If true, he went to Perth because they would allow him to pursue his overseas ambitions, but the form of Perth meant that no overseas clubs would be interested in him.