After more than 30 years as a player and manager at the professional level Wolverhampton Wanderers mentor Mick McCarthy has experienced more than his fair share of pre-season tours and today paid the ultimate compliment to Perth Glory saying the current trip was the best he had experienced.
After more than 30 years as a player and manager at the professional level Wolverhampton Wanderers mentor Mick McCarthy has experienced more than his fair share of pre-season tours and today paid the ultimate compliment to Perth Glory saying the current trip was the best he had experienced.
Wolves are in Western Australia for an 11 day camp and McCarthy said the players and coaching staff, totalling some 40 people, have enjoyed every facet of their experience so far.
“The pitch is beautiful, the stadium is fantastic – we have been treated like kings since coming here,” McCarthy said.
“It has just been brilliant how it has been organised, how we-ve been treated, it-s the best pre-season trip I-ve been on.”
The newly promoted Premiership side will play the Glory on Friday night at Members Equity Stadium followed by a meeting with Robbie Fowler-s North Queensland Fury on Wednesday 15 July at the same venue.
Wolves have quickly settled into their new surrounds and each day are being put through a strenuous training regime with weights sessions in the gym and football drills at their training base at the WACA Ground.
Despite some overcast weather during the week and the mercury dropping to single digits overnight, McCarthy is ecstatic about the conditions in WA and even managed to squeeze in some early morning cycling around the Swan River.
“I was listening to the radio this morning and they were complaining about the weather, I had been out on my bike in a t-shirt and shorts, it was fantastic,” McCarthy joked.
The English side will mix their training schedule with two matches against Hyundai A-League opponents and the Wolves boss expects a stern test.
“The preparation is vital for us because it is going to be a tough season, no question it-ll be a tough season, history tells us that,” McCarthy said.
“The competition will be difficult. Their players will want to play against Premiership players and show everyone what they can do. They-ll be fit, they-ll be aggressive and it-ll be a competitive game for sure.”
While McCarthy admits having limited knowledge of the Hyundai A-League, Perth will have some insight into Wolverhampton-s set-up with new recruits Andy Todd and Mile Sterjovski having played against Wolves while with Derby County last season.
“Andy Todd, I think he is terrific player, I saw him come back and play after being out for quite a long time, I think it was against Manchester United in a Cup game… I thought he was a different class that night,” McCarthy said.
“He strikes me as a right good pro, I think he-ll be fantastic for the place.”
“Sterjovski I don-t know too much about, except of course when he scored against us, and on the day he played very well and had a bit of a swagger about him, I have to be honest he is a talented lad.
“I think they-ll both be good players for Perth,” said McCarthy.
Perth Glory Coach Dave Mitchell said the Wolves trip was the culmination of months of hard work and has been a significant boost to the club and football in the state.
“A lot of people behind the scenes have worked hard to bring Wolves here and to make it successful. From what Mick has said it has been a success which is fantastic,” Mitchell said.
“From our team perspective we want to create an atmosphere at the club to get the Glory back to where it was as a champion of Australia.
“We-ve turned the ship around and we-re heading in the right direction and there is a real buzz in the town about Perth Glory again.”
After several months of pre-season work under their belts the Glory will have a conditioning advantage over their Wolvers counterparts who are only in the preliminary stages of their preparations and Mitchell said his players were looking forward to the challenge.
“We-re going to enjoy the game for sure, that-s why you play football but you want to win as well,” Mitchell said.
“Mick and I have had a discussion and we don-t want players to go in and show studs but if there is a tackle to be won, you win the tackle.
“We-ve had a few games under our belts and are probably going to be better prepared physically. We-ll try some things and will be out there to make it a great occasion.”
PERTH GLORY-S ‘FOOTBALL FEAST- IS HERE!
Good tickets still available.
Click here to buy tickets from www.ticketmaster.com.au or call 136 100.
Match details
Friday, 10 July 2009
Perth Glory v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Members Equity Stadium, 7.30pm
* A special celebrity match featuring former Glory greats and Perth celebs kicks-off at 6.10pm
Wednesday, 15 July 2009 – Double Header
Wolverhampton Wanderers v North Queensland Fury (kick-off 5.15pm)
Perth Glory v Fulham (kick-off 8.00pm)
Members Equity Stadium
