A-League: Popovic leads a revolution at Glory

But there can be no argument that we are witnessing a revolution at Perth Glory.

Perth’s Chris Ikonomidis takes on the Melbourne City defence on Saturday night

It’s early days yet and Tony Popovic isn’t about to make a song and dance about his team’s championship hopes, but there can be no argument that we are witnessing a revolution at Perth Glory.

Just seven games into the new season and, as many suspected, Popovic has brought some new-found steel and resolve to a club that has promised so much but delivered so little.

In their second best start to a season, unbeaten Glory sit top of the table, two points ahead of Melbourne Victory after a hard-fought 1-0 win over Melbourne City at NIB Stadium on Saturday night.

Exciting Chris Ikonomidis, arguably the form player of the competition, scored his fifth goal of the season to further enhance his prospects of earning a spot in Graham Arnold’s Socceroos squad for the Asian Cup finals in the UAE next month.

There is so much to like about this Glory outfit that has clearly responded to the high level of professionalism and thoroughness that Popovic has brought to the club since taking the reins in May from Kenny Lowe.

Consistency and the ability to fashion wins have been key for Popovic. Where once Glory were renowned for finding a way to lose or draw a game, now they are in the fight right to the last seconds.

The West Australians have shown that with a 90th-minute winner against Melbourne Victory in round two and a 95th-minute winner against Central Coast two weeks ago.

On top of that, after struggling on the road in previous years, they have recorded two wins and a draw in away games this season.

The statistics show just how far Glory, the only unbeaten team left this season, have come under Popovic.

This is just the second time in the 14-season history of the A-League that they have led the competition at this stage. They have 17 points from five wins and two draws, scored 13 goals and conceded just seven.

The last time they led the competition was five seasons ago when they had 18 points (six wins and a loss), though they were deducted points following breaches in the salary cap.

“Perth has always been able to beat anyone on any given day; now we are seven rounds in we have seen some different ways we have been able to win and get results,” Popovic said.

“We have been consistent so far this season and that is showing by where we sit on the table. The results, in some respects, have been surprising so early on.”

Still, the former Western Sydney Wanderers coach is cautious about putting big labels on his team.

“It is good that we have performed well in the early rounds and that we have shown a different side to our game in that we know how to get a result,” he says. “But, it is too early to talk about having fixed our so-called away issues or that we are very strong at home. We still have a lot of work to do.”

Melbourne City coach Warren Joyce lamented the fact his side couldn’t take advantage of a good opening 35 minutes in which the Victorians dominated.

“Certainly, the first 35 minutes, I thought we looked the dominant team … some good passing, some really good pressing just at times the execution and decision-making around the box could have been a little bit better and if it was it would have led to goals,” Joyce said.

City were also disadvantaged with the absence of Florin Berenguer and Ritchie De Laet to injury late last week.

“So, there’s plenty of pluses for us, to come to Perth and play the leaders and have them on the back foot,” he added.