Nikita Rukavytsya maintains morale is still high in the Western Sydney dressing room despite the side’s woeful start to the A-League season.
Socceroos winger Rukavytsya is yet to taste victory for his new club, who sit last on the ladder, since arriving from German side Mainz 05 last month.
But he claimed team spirit hasn’t wavered despite disappointing home draws with lowly Newcastle and the Central Coast Mariners that came on the back of four straight away defeats.
“It’s great, nothing has changed,” Rukavytsya said.
“Performances are there, we’re playing some good football and improving.
“It will not take long before the ball starts going into the back of the net and we’ll get a few points.”
The Asian champions face Sydney FC at Pirtek Stadium on Saturday evening and Rukavytsya is relishing a first opportunity to play in the A-League’s biggest derby having been unavailable for the round two clash between the sides.
Sydney won that game 3-2, having trailed 2-0, and triumphed 3-1 in the round 22 meeting between the sides last season.
That game was marred by allegations of racial abuse directed at Sydney winger Ali Abbas by Wanderers forward Brendon Santalab.
The case was subsequently dropped by a FFA hearing due to a lack of evidence, but only served to add more fuel to a bitter rivalry between the two clubs that’s grown bigger each year.
Saturday’s game has already sold out and former Perth Glory star Rukavytsya is expecting a fast-paced encounter to be played in front of a hostile home crowd.
He’s hopeful his team’s luck will change.
“I’ve played in some big derbies before, it’s a special game and I’m looking forward to it,” he said.
“We’re creating a lot of chances, especially the last few games unfortunately the ball doesn’t want to go in.
“We’re hitting the post, the keeper pulls off some incredible saves but if we keep creating then the goals will come.”
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