Glory's Djulbic on A-League outer again

Nov 23, 2016 - 4:45 AM Perth A-League coach Kenny Lowe admits he's partly to blame for the horror show that has cost Dino Djulbic a spot in the side.

Djulbic hasn't played since costing his side a goal in embarrassing fashion in a 4-1 loss a fortnight ago to Sydney FC.

The 33-year-old was forced into the unfamiliar right-back role for that game to cover the absence of Socceroo Josh Risdon.

Djulbic had played every game this season up until that point, but was dropped the next week after struggling against Sydney.

The central defender will again be absent from the match-day squad for Thursday night's away clash with Central Coast.

Rhys Williams and Alexander Grant are set to retain their central defensive partnership, with Shane Lowry providing cover on the bench as he builds up his form and fitness following off-season hip surgery.

Djulbic faces a fight to win back his spot in the side this season, but Lowe has praised the former Socceroos' defender for how he has handled the situation.

"He's a professional. He just trains how he normally trains. He's a top guy," Lowe said on Wednesday.

"That was probably my fault - not Dino's fault (with what happened against Sydney).

"At the end of the day, I chose him to play there.

"In hindsight, I probably made it difficult for him. It's probably me that bears the brunt more than Dino, to be truthful."

The Glory enter the match full of confidence following last week's 3-1 trouncing of Adelaide.

Striker Adam Taggart played 15 minutes against Adelaide in his first match back from a calf injury, and was set to earn more game time against the struggling Mariners.

The Glory coughed up a 3-0 lead in their 3-3 draw to the Mariners in round one.

But Lowe said that result was irrelevant heading into this week's re-match, joking that he couldn't even remember the score from that first encounter.

Fourth-placed Glory have conceded eight goals in three away matches this season, but Lowe says he isn't overly worried about the statistic.

"We're the second-top scorers. So one thing you can say about us is we're entertaining," Lowe said.

"As long as we score one more goal than these guys this week. I'm not bothered if it's 7-6 or 9-8. I'm not bothered. We just want to win."

Source: AAP