Why the Wanderers are back on track to challenge the A-League's best

Why the Wanderers are back on track to challenge the A-League's best

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On Friday it was announced that over 12,000 strong have already signed up for memberships at the Western Sydney Wanderers for 2015-16. To some this might be a tad surprising, but not to the Red and Black faithful who believe that next season can, and will be better…because it has to be.

The Wanderers are all about the future, and not merely for what has been achieved in the first three years of their existence.

So far, arrivals such as Andrew Redmayne, Scott Neville, Scott Jamieson, Jacob Pepper, Mitch Nichols and Spanish import Andreu have been very standard A-League signings – no more so than the players signed upon the foundation of the club – and certainly very standard Tony Popovic signings. Furthermore, the coach has a good track record for the most part in resurrecting the A-League careers of a number of players, these could be no exception, particularly  a name such as Nichols. As ever, some fans are decidedly impatient as the club has yet to make the big name signings expected in midfield and attack, but his does not mean the Wanderers are falling behind, for if the club is back at square one, then so are almost everyone else.

Both Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC face the loss of players and the same punishing schedule as Western Sydney, and thus a harsher test of the resolve of Kevin Muscat and Graham Arnold. The depth of both squads will only be further tested as a result, especially given that Victory, like most successful A-League teams, had a good run in this department last season. While Sydney FC have lost Milos Dimitrijevic, Bernie Ibini and Marc Janko, Victory have lost Mark Milligan, but the somehow evergreen Archie Thompson remains for another year.

Andreu joins the Wanderers from Spanish third tier side Racing Santander
Andreu joins the Wanderers from Spanish third tier side Racing Santander

Brisbane Roar, on the other hand, are far from settled, now under the stewardship of John Aloisi, with a squad some think could be past their best and the coach’s dubious (to say the least) managerial record in charge of Melbourne Heart. Meanwhile, Melbourne City have cut several players as they look to build on their promising first season since re-branding, the pressure to deliver will be even greater.

Adelaide United and Wellington Phoenix, both having had good seasons in 2014-15, have been relatively quiet in the break, but this may be a good thing as both should aim even higher than their previous standings. The Reds have all their star performers, although whether Wellington faces a battle to keep Nathan Burns remains to be seen. Perth Glory on the other hand will have to pick up the pieces, after what was looking like a dream season turned to a nightmare, while both Central Coast Mariners and Newcastle Jets are also in reboot mode.

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In short, there is likely to be a more open playing field for the A-League’s 11th season of existence and few reasons – not yet anyway – for undue worry on part of a Wanderers support who have acquired near-stratospheric expectations after just three campaigns. Much of the club’s rebuilding work so far has not been bad, surely understanding the expectations among fans of a quality signing that can get the Wanderers back into the game, and surely will not fail to deliver.

The chance of a redemptive campaign for Tony Popovic and his reshaped team must be seized with full vigour.

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