Luke DeVere eyes change in Roar’s opinions

Out-of-favour Brisbane defender Luke DeVere has offered some insight into his A-League snubbing.

Luke DeVere celebrates his first A-League goal in more than two years during Brisbane Roar’s draw with Central Coast Mariners. Picture: Getty Images

Out-of-favour Brisbane defender Luke DeVere has offered some insight into his A-League snubbing as he attempts to re-establish himself at the struggling club.

DeVere scored in the Roar’s 1-1 draw against Central Coast last weekend, a result that extended the club’s winless streak to 10.

The former Socceroo had been overlooked for the first 13 games of the season and said it was on him to “change the opinions” of those behind his omission.

“All I can say is there was no injury, no falling out with previous administration, coaches, current coaches,” he said ahead tonight’s clash against Western Sydney Wanderers in Brisbane.

“Football can be a game of opinions. Everyone’s got them and hopefully you can work hard enough to change those.”

With DeVere ignored by now-­departed head coach John Aloisi, interim coach Darren Davies obviously has seen enough to recall the 29-year-old.

And a frustrated DeVere, who has had a stint with South Korean club Gyeongnam FC in between two stints in Brisbane, hopes he can make a difference as the ninth-placed Roar face the Wanderers, who are one point ahead of them on the table.

“It was nice to contribute but it was a big game and we didn’t get the result we were after, so you do feel a little hollow,” he said of last weekend’s draw.

“I’m enjoying being back playing. Hopefully we can turn around the situation we find ourselves in.

“Regardless of how things play out, we’ll make sure there’s no one here who goes out there thinking we’re playing for nothing.”

Experienced midfielder Alex Lopez, fullback Stefan Nigro, Aaron Reardon, Nick D’Agostino and Jay Barnett have been included in the Roar’s squad to cover for suspended trio Jacob Pepper, Eric Bautheac and Matt McKay.

Meanwhile, league leaders Perth Glory have hit their first goal drought of the season, but coach Tony Popovic insists it means nothing.

Just four days after drawing 0-0 away to Melbourne City, Perth were held to a 0-0 home draw against Adelaide in wet conditions on Wednesday night. It is the first time Glory have posted consecutive 0-0 results since 2007, when they started the season with three straight scoreless draws.

The current goal drought has come as a surprise given they were able to plunder 15 goals in their previous four matches.

In the 4-3 win over Western Sydney on January 13, Glory scored four goals in the space of 16 inspired minutes late in the match.

That result propelled them six points clear on top of the table, but their lead has now been cut to just two points following the recent draws. Two consecutive clean sheets have brought a smile to Pop­ovic’s face. But he became testy when asked what he thought about the recent goal drought.

“Nothing,” Popovic replied.

So is this just a blip?

“I just said nothing, I make nothing of it.” So do you think it’s just a matter of time before the goals come back? “I just answered it twice now — nothing. I make nothing of that.”

Glory will be aiming to bounce back to the winners’ list when they host the seventh-placed Jets at HBF Park on Sunday.

Popovic acknowledged his team were below their best against Adelaide, but said he was happy with the resilience on display.

“I felt we were always dangerous and always a chance to score, although it wasn’t our best performance in possession,” he said.

AAP