Careers on the line at Perth Glory if things don’t improve, says Michael Thwaite

PERTH Glory defender Michael Thwaite concedes careers will be on the line unless the A-League club can shake off its early-season funk.

Perth Glory v Central Coast Mariners Glory 23 Michael Thwaite

PERTH Glory defender Michael Thwaite concedes careers will be on the line unless the A-League club can shake off its early-season funk.

Glory sit in the wooden spoon danger zone after tallying just one win and a draw from seven games, with a nightmare injury toll hurting the team’s cause.

Sunday’s clash with bottom-placed Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium looms as a season-defining clash for both teams.

Glory celebrated the 20th anniversary of the club’s foundation on Tuesday, but there has been little else to cheer about this season.

Thwaite knows things will need to improve if players and coaches are to keep their jobs.

“We really have to step up as players,” Thwaite said on Tuesday. “I guess all of our jobs are on the line - the coach, the players, everyone - because you want success at the club.

“If we don’t win, we’re going to be bottom. We don’t want to be in that last position.”

Glory goalkeeper Ante Covic heavily criticised the team following last week’s 5-1 loss to Melbourne City, saying “defensively, we had more holes than Swiss cheese.”

Thwaite, who has been forced to plug other holes in the midfield in recent weeks, agreed.

“There were a few holes. But hopefully I can be the olives that go between the Swiss cheese,” Thwaite said with a laugh.

“I’ll be happy to go back into a defensive role if that’s what Kenny Lowe wants me to play.” Injuries to key players Dino Djulbic, Guyon Fernandez and Gyorgy Sandor have hurt Glory’s cause this season.

Defender Josh Risdon (leg) will miss another week, robbing Glory of the core of their best team.

One positive to come out of the injury crisis has been the blooding of a host of young West Australian players, including Aryn Williams, Jamal Reiners, and Joe Knowles.

Thwaite feels it will hold the club in good stead in the future.

“I’d love to see the core of the team being from WA. Why not,” Thwaite said.

“I think that’s what the fans want to see. Kenny’s got half an eye on that.

“But at the end of the day it’s about results. We’re not getting that at the moment, and we’re going to work hard to change that this weekend.”

Glory skipper Richard Garcia, who hails from WA himself, said he was proud to see the club reach its 20th birthday.

Garcia was just 14 years old when the club formed in 1995.

“For me being at that age where there was really no pathway for Perth boys, it definitely was a big step,” Garcia said of the club’s formation.

“Being a Perth boy, I always wanted to play for Glory.

“It’s a very proud day. It’s a very historic club, not just within the A-League, but also the NSL.”

Originally published as Careers on the line at Perth Glory if things don’t improve, says Michael Thwaite