Milan Smiljanic may still be smarting from his own goal against the Newcastle Jets on Saturday but he’s confident he’ll find his best form in the A-League.
The 30-year-old signed with Perth Glory this year and said he had never run so much in a football career that has included stints in Serbia, Spain and Israel.
“When I come, the first two months I’m only running, running, running (so) that I come into some form,” the Serbian import said.
“And after I start to play.”
Smiljanic said the A-League was the toughest competition he had played in and he hoped to continue with Perth Glory next year.
He said he ran about 60 kilometres per week including match time.
“I think that next year I will be in top level,” he said.
“Not top level that I’m best in the league, but something like my best level.”
Apart from lifting his game, he’s also hoping to improve his English, which he learnt in school.
Mastering an understanding of the Australian accent and Glory coach Kenny Lowe’s northern English accent was also on the list.
“When we speak to each other, we keep trying to speak slow and must understand,” he said.
Smiljanic was also getting his head around what he said was an "Australian obsession" with putting things in writing rather than picking up the phone.
“In Australia, if you want to buy a car or buy food, you do by email,” he said.
“It’s unbelievable, I don’t see (why) but for me it’s ok now.”
