Long gone are the days when the Western Sydney Wanderers were expected to win most of their matches. As David Votoupal writes, the Wanderers must get back to winning ways.
Last Thursday night, over 14,000 people turned up at Parramatta Stadium to see a Western Sydney Wanderers team featuring seven new signings. Starting was Andrew Redmayne, Scott Jamieson, Jacob Pepper, Scott Neville, Mitch Nichols, Dimas and Federicco Piovaccari with three more coming off the bench in the form of Dario Vidosic, Andreu, and young striker Josh Macdonald. Yet Tony Popovic’s new-look team slumped to a 3-1 loss at home, seemingly continuing last season’s depressing trend. It seems a long time now since winning was a habit in Red and Black.
There was indeed a very different game played by the Wanderers on Thursday night. Admittedly, they really did give it a go and looked more attacking, even trying to weave some patterns on the ground. Yet it was a matter of not being able to put it away, which dogged the Wanderers all last season and made a big difference in terms of points won. There had been talk of a change in style and it was somewhat evident on the night. But what appeared even worse than last season was what in essence, cost Wanderers the game. A defence that was seemingly sieve-like and made some appalling errors, such that all three goals conceded were eminently preventable.
Jamie Maclaren, scoring on his Roar debut, capitalised on Brendan Hamill’s mis-hit back-pass, though Andrew Redmayne did not help matters. Not long after, however, Mitch Nichols scored on his Wanderers debut to even the score (he would have another ruled out for offside), and in fact Nichols was Wanderers’ best player on the night while fellow debutant Scott Jamieson also fared well. The two further goals scored by Brisbane – by Daniel Bowles and then a second from Maclaren – revealed the defence’s ineptitude in dealing with corners and set pieces.
While it was thought that Brisbane would struggle this season, it appears the uncertainty may have galvanised Aloisi and his team. A similar galvanising effect was also in evidence at Newcastle Jets as they won away to Wellington Phoenix. For Wanderers fans, however, an opening day loss was a massive let-down. Western Sydney had a proper pre-season compared to last year, albeit with a new-look side and high hopes of major improvement from a season where last place was barely avoided. Two away games, at Adelaide United and Sydney FC, follow and pose an even greater challenge.
READ MORE – Wanderers vs. Adelaide Match Preview
Here is what they must overcome and accomplish if they are to turn this disappointing start to the season around.
A losing trend to be broken
Firstly, with only four games won last season, there is the inevitable fear that it has now become a habit for the Wanderers. In the first two seasons, there were 15 defeats in 58 games including two Grand Finals, whereas last season 17 A-League games were lost out of 27. The next home game is not until November 1 against Perth Glory, but it is not until December that Wanderers fans a fair run of home games. Last season’s scheduling was majorly disruptive, and Wanderers will have no such excuses this season.
Defensive doldrums
Popovic will hope that there will be no repeat of the dreadful defensive display against Brisbane. Defence has been a traditional strength of the Wanderers and even last season, by no means the worst defensive record in the League. Two of the debutants were in the back four in Pepper and Neville, with Redmayne making his debut in goal. Despite the error to gift the opening goal, Brendan Hamill is still a capable defender. Against Adelaide United and Sydney FC, both of whom are not lacking in attacking threats, it is hope there will not be a repeat performance.
A new approach
Much of the talk has been about whether Western Sydney would change their style of play with a new-look side. It was in evidence against Brisbane where there was at least an attacking threat, and stringing passes together, yet it was nowhere near the finished article. The excellent debut of Mitch Nichols will hopefully be followed up by more good performances, and the same is to be said of Dario Vidosic. Wanderers do not lack width either with Romeo Castelen among the best players in the squad. Federico Piovaccari may take time to translate his scoring record abroad into A-League form.
For fans of Western Sydney Wanderers, there is the inkling feeling of being at the crossroads. Either the club returns to winning ways quick, or join the ranks of also-rans for the time being.
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