The Western Sydney Wanderers may not have captured any silverware in 2015-16, but considering the mess the club was in before the season, finishing second in the league and runners-up in the grand final is a remarkable achievement.
No less than 18 players departed Parramatta at the end of last season, leaving fans uncertain about what the future held for a side that, despite winning the Asian Champions League, had finished a disappointing second last on the A-League table. Questions that were raised included, would 2015-16 be the beginning of a transitional phase, where expectations of anything more than a mid-table finish were unrealistic? Or did it mean that a brand new chapter was about to be written on the Wanderers’ journey, one where fans could again dream of being crowned champions on grand final day?
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The Story
As the season progressed, it became clear that the Wanderers had the potential to win the league. They played delightful, possession-based football and created multiple opportunities in the front third. Nikolai Topor-Stanley and Alberto complemented one another at the heart of the backline, while Scott Jamieson and Scott Neville showed attacking brilliance and defensive nous on the wings. The Wanderers dominated the midfield through Mitch Nicholls, Dimas and Andreu, with ‘White Lightning’ and Mark Bridge developing into one of the best attacking combinations in the league, scoring a swag of goals between them. Romeo Castelen added verve and panache and Dario Vidosic showed a nose for goal. But there were two areas in which the red and black struggled – goalkeeper and striker.
For all his physical attributes and athleticism, Andrew Redmayne is no Ante Covic, whose heroics during the club’s successful 2014 Asian Champions League campaign will forever be remembered by the Wanderers faithful. A fantastic shot-stopper, Redmayne’s hesitancy in the box and his poor distribution gave fans more than their fair share of nervous moments, especially at set-pieces. Why the powers-that-be let Covic go became one of the most commonly-asked questions by the disgruntled observers. Redmayne started in the first 19 matches of the season before being replaced by Liam Reddy for the next six. However, it was Redmayne who ended the season as the first choice custodian.
But despite the side’s goalkeeping woes, it was at the other end of the pitch that caused the most grief.
Italian marquee Federico Piovaccari failed woefully to live up to his billing as a top class front man, his reported $1.4 million contract over two years a classic case of money down the drain. And with Brendon Santalab being used off the pine and only starting five matches, the amount of opportunities that went begging in front of goal verged on the criminal. How the Wanderers qualified in second place without a true striker (when in Santalab they had a brilliant marksman on the bench) is one of the great unsolved mysteries of the season.
Key player – Brendan Santalab
So who was the key man during the Wanderers’ campaign? There were many, but the man who best personifies what the club is all about and who made the most impact despite limited opportunities, was Santalab. Despite Popovic’s reluctance to start him until towards the end of the camapign, the 33-year-old had a massive influence on the team. His energy, commitment and uncanny ability to score goals proved that he was far more than just a super-sub. On five occasions he came off the bench and scored five vital goals, ending the season with 11 at a rate of one goal every 68.3 minutes, the best strike rate in the league. Had the man affectionately known as ‘Santa’ been a regular starter and not a bench-warmer, it is not inconceivable to suggest that the Wanderers would have won the Premiers Plate at a canter.
Manager
Tony Popovic has achieved more in four short seasons at the Wanderers than what most managers have achieved in a lifetime. A record including the Premiership in 2012-13, runners-up twice (2013-14, 2015-16), grand finalists three times (2013, 2014, 2016) and Asian champions in 2014 makes for impressive reading. Despite some baffling selections, especially involving Santalab and, at times, Keiran Baccus and Jaushua Sotirio, ‘Popa’ had an exemplary season. Unfortunately, for him, the grand final proved to be one match too many.
Offseason recruitment
If the Wanderers can keep the majority of their current squad for next season, they will be contenders yet again. But there needs to be some fine tuning. Redmayne needs to be re-educated and taught the basics of his craft. And they need to search far and wide for a striker of similar quality to Besart Berisha, Andy Keogh or Bruno Fornaroli to complement ‘Santa’ up front. That would certainly give Wanderers fans plenty to look forward to.
Grade – A+
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