Despotovski delighted as Glory steam toward the finish line
Perth Glory boss Bobby Despotovski couldn't be happier with his side as they approach the end of the Westfield W-League 2019/20 Season as one of the form sides of the competition.
It took Perth until Round 10 to notch their first win of the season and they've since won three in a row.
They head into their final-round clash with the stuttering Western Sydney Wanderers high on confidence with the mathematical possibility of finishing as high as fifth on the Westfield W-League table.
Glory's most recent win - a 2-1 victory over second-placed Sydney FC on the road on Saturday - is the highlight moment of what's been an overall glum season in the west, but Despotovski says his side's stunning turnaround to cap off the season has been just the tonic for their early shortcomings.
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MATCH REPORT: Sydney FC v Perth Glory
"In the last four or five weeks, we've done extremely well," he said post-match.
"We saw today that the girls are working extremely hard and they got the reward for it.
"They enjoyed themselves today and in one way, it's nice playing with no pressure.
"We can't make the top four, so we have just been going out there and giving it a go."
Glory's impressive turnaround in form can be attributed to many factors but the most glaring difference in their three-game winning streak has been the simply unstoppable form of their midfield powerhouse Morgan Andrews.
Andrews scored her second brace in as many games against the Sky Blues, adding to her best afield display in Round 11 in her side's first win of the season - a 4-2 win over Newcastle Jets on the road.
Andrews has inspired a change in Glory's fortunes that no one could have foreseen, besides perhaps Despotovski who sees their uplift in form as a result of his side's hard work and relative misfortune gained from being on the wrong end of tight results throughout the season.
"I said to the girls today that no-one has thrashed us this season, we've always been in games and there or thereabouts without quite getting over the line," the Glory boss said.
"And now with all the hard work they've been doing, we're getting a few wins under our belts and getting goals from all over the park.
"I'm very happy at this point."
Despotovski and the Glory face one more test next weekend; a clash with the third-placed Wanderers on Saturday night (10:15pm AEDT).
With the final standings of the Westfield W-League table well and truly up in the air, Perth have the chance to shake up the league with one last giant killing display which will befit their fantastic end to the 2019/20 campaign.
Round 14
Perth Glory v Western Sydney Wanderers
Saturday, 29 February 2020
WML Stadium
Kick off: 10.15pm AEDT
Melbourne Victory v Sydney FC
Saturday, 29 February 2020
Marvel Stadium
Kick off: 4pm AEDT
