Glory confident of keeping squad together

Perth Glory coach Kenny Lowe does not believe there will be a mass player walkout in the wake of the salary cap drama engulfing the club.

Perth Glory

Perth Glory is confident of keeping its playing group together. (Getty) Source: Getty Images Asia Pacific

Glory is engaged in a bitter legal battle with FFA after the club was found guilty of breaching the salary cap and booted out of the A-League finals.

If Perth fails to have the punishment overturned, players could have the right to break their current contracts and leave the club.
But Lowe is confident that situation won't eventuate, saying the player group has remained united during the club's darkest hour.

"Everyone reacts differently," Lowe said after training on Tuesday.

"I'm sure there's an element of sadness in there, and disappointment, and anger. But I think that's short term.

"Once we get over that, we can then focus on removing those feelings and look to get a positive growth within the club.

"We've had a wonderful year (on the field), and there's no reason why we can't have a wonderful year next year."

Lowe encouraged everyone at the club to draw strength from the current plight.

"It's pointless walking away or leaving, that's crazy. Because then you can't use the tough experience for a learning experience," he said.

"We can use this in a positive way to get better processes and protocols, and to learn more about ourselves in a moment of crisis.

"That's the way I'm looking at it, and I believe that's the way the players are looking at it."

Glory will front the FFA's appeals board at 5.30pm (AEST) on Wednesday in a bid to win back its spot in the finals.

The club will argue that the FFA board had no right to preside over the salary cap allegations.

Instead, Perth claims the case should have been heard by the FFA's independent disciplinary committee.

If Glory's appeal is turned down, it will argue the same point at the Supreme Court of Western Australia on Friday.

The coach admits everyone at the club is feeling down about the salary cap saga, but he's implored his players to get on with the job.

"It's business as usual. It can't be any other way," Lowe said ahead of Sunday's home clash with Melbourne City.

Although Glory's appeal and possible court battle could see the team win back its finals berth, nobody isn't thinking too far ahead.

"We've got to have what I call a realistic, optimistic outlook," Lowe said.

"Things have gone on and we've got to cop it. We've got to deal with it.

"But also, we can't bury our head in the sand and say, 'Everything is going to be ok'. We've got to face things front on.

"Whatever happens with the appeal is in the future. At the moment, we're dealing with where it stands at the moment."

Glory currently sits equal top of the table, but it will be relegated to seventh at the end of the home-and-away season unless it can overturn FFA's punishment.


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3 min read
Published 14 April 2015 6:11pm

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