Ferguson hits back at bully claims

Perth Glory coach Ian Ferguson has angrily rejected John Aloisi’s claims that his side are too physical.

The Melbourne Heart boss said before the two sides met at AAMI Park on Saturday that he wouldn’t allow Glory to bully his team, then clashed with Jacob Burns in the tunnel area shortly after the visitors’ skipper had been booked following an off-the-ball altercation with Josip Tadic.

And Aloisi continued the theme in the post-match press conference, complaining about several of the challenges made upon his players during their 1-0 victory.

“At the end of the day, they all keep using this bullying word, claiming that we’re too physical and too strong,” said Ferguson.

“But again, they should go and check their facts and their stats before they make these stupid comments.

“I see he (Aloisi) said that we come in from the back and either kick you a little bit or go right through you and again, I don’t see where he’s coming from with that.

“I’m annoyed that a coach has actually come out and said that about Perth Glory.

“I’m sick and tired of the hype that we get. It’s all wrong.”

Glory have in fact collectively earned only one more yellow card this season than Heart and considerably fewer than both Sydney FC and Newcastle and although Burns has been booked in each of his six appearances, Ferguson feels that the 34-year-old is being victimised.

“I watched the free-kick where he got booked and I don’t think he deserved it,” he said.

“There are times when Jacob does something that I’ll be the first one on his back, but I didn’t think that yellow was warranted.

“Then at half-time he’s seen John Aloisi trying to influence the fourth official and Jacob wasn’t happy with that and rightly so.

“If my captain sees that and is trying to protect his players, that’s the way it should be and he (Aloisi) has got to accept that.

“He’s had his say and Jacob’s had his say and then he follows the player down the tunnel and tried to make something of it.

“Whether he’s done that deliberately to try and kick-start something, that’s something in his own head, but for me, that was definitely wrong.

“He should have gone in his own dressing room,” he said.

Ferguson was less supportive of his side regarding their form in front of goal, however, admitting that having scored just twice in the last five games, something will have to give ahead of Friday’s clash with Newcastle Jets.

Glory have already accounted for the Jets at nib Stadium this season, running out 3-2 winners back in week five and Ferguson revealed that along with returning Socceroos Michael Thwaite and Scott Jamieson, he is also optimistic that both Liam Miller and Ryo Nagai will be fit enough to come into his selection considerations.