Glory's final push is men's work
The battle for spots in Perth Glory’s midfield is heating up after the club moved to bolster its stocks for a finals push with three new signings this week.
It appears Glory’s direction has changed since Alistair Edwards was sacked as coach last month, with the club now focused more on immediate results than long-term development.
Interim coach Kenny Lowe needs results in order to impress the club hierarchy and secure a permanent position.
Serbian attacker Nebojsa Marinkovic and Rostyn Griffiths were brought in to bolster the midfield, while Lithuanian striker Darvydas Sernas signed a loan deal yesterday.
Sernas has signed for the rest of the season, with a club option to extend the deal for another year.
Lowe has targeted players in the prime of their careers during the January transfer window and the trio fit into the 25-30 age bracket.
But their arrival means the likes of talented local products Daniel De Silva and Brandon O’Neill will have to bide their time in the youth team.
There is unrest amongst sections of Glory’s support who want to see more of De Silva, 16, in particular.
The teen star signed a three-year deal with Glory last year and has already attracted the attention of big European clubs.
But De Silva has made just six appearances – four off the bench – this season.
He was not included in the squad for tomorrow’s game against Western Sydney Wanderers at Pirtek Stadium.
“He’s 16 and he’s going to be a super player, but let’s not put pressure on Danny De Silva to come in and run the games here,” Lowe said.
“He’s just got to come in, enjoy himself and play some football. He’ll get his time.”
Marinkovic, a product of the youth academy at Partizan Belgrade, is set to make his debut against Wanderers.
Marquee striker Shane Smeltz and right-back Josh Risdon are good chances to make long-awaited returns to the starting line-up, but Griffiths and Sernas will have to wait until next week’s home clash with Melbourne Victory.
Griffiths starred for Central Coast from 2010-12 and spent two years with Chinese Super League club Guangzhou R&F.
Despite his pedigree, Griffiths expects a tough battle for spots in midfield.
“I’d say looking at the squad it’s probably the most competitive area at the minute,” Griffithssaid.
Meanwhile, Glory are understood to be discussing terms of a deal that would see former Fremantle Dockers coach Mark Harvey join the A-League club’s board.
