Perth goalkeeper Danny Vukovic believes the Glory’s backline will be settled just in time to take on Adelaide United in their first clash of the new season.
Perth goalkeeper Danny Vukovic believes the Glory’s backline will be settled just in time to take on Adelaide United in their first clash of the new season.
Over a long pre-season the Glory have had to deal with a few injuries and setbacks to their defensive line, but Vukovic believes everyone is nearing full fitness at the right moment.
Key central defender Chris Coyne has over come an Achilles injury that blighted the end of his season while new signing Evan Berger is raring to go after a few setbacks along the way.
Vukovic’s former team-mate at the Mariners, Dean Heffernan, was also meant to have slotted in at left back but ended up signing with Chinese club Liaoning Whowin on a permanent basis after a loan spell there.
Despite the issues Vukovic is confident the defence will do the job, especially as it features former Qantas Socceroo Coyne, young gun Scott Neville, the emerging Josh Risdon and Josh Mitchell, along with former Gold Coast defender Bas van den Brink.
“We’ve had a couple of injuries in the backline so it’s been hard to get continuity,” Vukovic said before training on Tuesday.
“But the boys are coming back fit now. We’ve got some experienced players there, so confident that we can keep many clean sheets this year.”
The defence seems hardly likely to dare make a mistake either, with Neville describing Vukovic as a ‘scary’ presence behind the back four.
“I don’t know where he gets that from,” laughed the stopper.
“I think off the field I’m pretty reserved, but once I step over that white line I change a little bit.”
Vukovic’s fierce presence between the sticks, however, will certainly be needed by Ian Ferguson’s side as they look to atone for last season’s campaign.
But Vukovic is thrilled to be part of the Glory’s new-look squad, one he rates especially highly as it contains big name performers like Shane Smeltz, Liam Miller, Travis Dodd and Billy Mehmet.
“On paper, I think it’s the strongest team I’ve been a part of in the six or seven years I’ve been in the A-League,” Vukovic declared.
“We’ve got players in every position and we’ve got players that can back up those players. If boys aren’t performing on the pitch, there’s someone there to take their spot.”
“But on paper doesn’t mean anything,” he warned.
“We’ve got to do the business on the pitch. I’m very confident we can do that, it’s all about getting out there Sunday week and getting off to a good start.”
The match against Adelaide on October 9 at nib Stadium kicks-off at 4.30pm.
