Perth Glory's A-League Women's coach, Stephen Peters, has expressed strong confidence that his squad can break a near seven-year finals drought this season. The push for a coveted top-six spot continues this Saturday night when Glory host the Newcastle Jets at the Sam Kerr Football Centre.
Glory Eye Crucial Climb Up The Ladder
The upcoming match presents a prime opportunity for Perth to leapfrog their opponents. Glory currently sit in eighth position, just one point behind the sixth-placed Jets, although Newcastle holds a game in hand. A victory would propel Perth into the finals conversation and edge them closer to their first postseason appearance since the 2019 campaign.
Reflecting on the season's journey, Peters acknowledged a challenging period but praised his team's resilience. "We're probably a win short, maybe four points short, from where we could have been based on our performances," Peters stated. He highlighted that apart from two disappointing outings against Canberra and Melbourne Victory, the team's efforts have been solid.
"We're really well placed to make the top six," he affirmed. "The competition is super tight. You've got to put back-to-back results together, and then you're in a good space."
Positive Signs Despite Recent Defeat
Even in a 3-1 loss to league leaders Melbourne City last Sunday, Peters found encouraging aspects. He described the performance as "great tactically, physically and mentally," but noted a shortfall in technical execution at critical moments.
"We did really good things, just didn't execute at key moments, and they did, and it changed the game significantly," Peters analysed. He emphasised the need to carry those positives into the Jets clash. "This game for us is really about us and us being consistent and making sure we put some pride in our performance."
Injury List Easing with Key Returns Imminent
In a significant boost for the run-in, Peters provided optimistic updates on several injured players. Defender Naomi Chinnama is progressing well from an ankle issue and is expected to return cautiously.
More remarkably, utility player Nat Tathem and Welsh winger Megan Wynne, both recovering from ACL tears sustained late last year, are nearing comebacks. "Nat Tathem is almost back to full training, which is quite remarkable and Megan Wynne is not far behind," Peters revealed.
The news was less positive for Ella Abdul Massih, whose recovery from Lisfranc ligament surgery has encountered complications with scar tissue. "There's a bit of an indefinite nature about her return," Peters said, expressing sympathy for the player who has followed her rehabilitation protocol diligently.
With the finals race heating up and key personnel returning, Perth Glory's belief under Stephen Peters is palpable as they aim to rewrite a seven-year narrative of near misses.
