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Following a blistering first two seasons, coupled with a historic ACL trophy, the Western Sydney Wanderers endured a tough third campaign in the A-League.
Rejuvenated, reborn and boasting a high personnel turnover, Tony Popovic’s Wanderers 2.0 could be ready for a return to the finals, however.
The Wanderers have released a large portion of their squad during the off-season, and the club’s fortunes depend largely on how quickly the new team can gel. Popovic has managed this feat once before, can he do it again?
Strengths
A new-look midfield should be the main cause of optimism for Wanderers fans. Mitch Nichols returns to Australia after a stint in Japan, while Dario Vidosic arrives from Switzerland. They will likely join Spaniards Andreu and Dimas to form the basis of a five-man unit behind a sole striker.
The Spaniards in particular could transform Popovic’s usually pragmatic tactics into a possession-based formula, and it will definitely be an interesting transition to watch throughout the season. Both have clocked game time in La Liga and the Segunda Division – that’s an equal or higher level of experience than Adelaide’s Spanish trio had before heading to the A-League.
Weaknesses
Popovic’s penchant for a lone striker looks set to continue, though his options this season have been severely depleted. The departures of Tomi Juric and Kerem Bulut will hurt, and how Popovic replaces their goals will be key to Western Sydney’s season.
New signing Federico Piovaccari is the only out-and-out No.9 and a lot will depend on how he adapts to his new teammates. Depth up front is therefore a concern, with fellow forwards such as Jaushua Sotirio, Romeo Castelen and Mark Bridge more accustomed to the wings, and Brendon Santalab not known for his goal-scoring exploits.
Big question: Can Popovic regain defensive resilience?
Western Sydney conceded 44 goals last season at an average of 1.6 per game. When compared to the 29 from 2013-14 and 21 from their debut campaign, it was a large reason for their capitulation.
With a new goalkeeper in Andrew Redmayne (or Dean Bouzanis), and new fullbacks in Scott Neville and Scott Jamieson, a lot of responsibility falls on captain Nikolai Topor-Stanley to lead a resurgence in the backline. The club’s third Spaniard, Alberto, will compete with Brendan Hamill for the final defensive role.
Nikolai Topor-Stanley is of immense importance to the Wanderers (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
Key man: Federico Piovaccari
Having bounced around the lower Italian leagues for most of his career on loan deals, Piovaccari played a full season with La Liga outfit Eibar last season, scoring six goals in 28 games. The season prior he played Champions League football for Romanian club Steaua Bucharest.
His pedigree looks promising, and he could be a fantastic signing. As mentioned, however, the Italian’s fitness and form is crucial to the Wanderers’ finals aspirations.
Youngster to watch: Jaushua Sotirio
The Sydney local was offered just a one-year deal in the off-season and the pressure will be on for the 19-year-old to deliver. The forward is currently one of the club’s longest serving players since the squad overall and Popovic clearly sees potential. It is a big year for Sotirio.
Position last season: Ninth
Four wins, six draws and 17 losses, last season was a disaster for the Wanderers domestically. A rough schedule with the Asian Champions League, however, meant it was always going to be a tough ride.
Prediction: Outside finals chance
If Popovic can conjure up a second miracle and create a killer team from a fresh bunch of players, the Wanderers could finish on the edge of the finals spots. However, if Piovaccari fails to fire it could be another season in the wilderness.
First five fixtures
Brisbane Roar (H), Adelaide United (A), Sydney FC (A), Perth Glory (H), Newcastle Jets (A).
Possible line-up (4-2-3-1)
Piovacarri
Vidosic, Nichols, Castelen
Dimas, Andreu
Jamieson, Topor-Stanley, Alberto (Hamill), Neville
Redmayne
Ins
Dario Vidosic (FC Sion), Mitch Nichols (Cerezo Osaka), Andrew Redmayne (Melbourne City), Scott Jamieson (Perth Glory), Jacob Pepper (Newcastle Jets), Scott Neville (Newcastle Jets), Andreu Guerao Mayoral (Racing Santander), Federico Piovaccari (free agent), Dimas Delgado (free agent), Alberto (free).
Outs
Tomi Juric (released), Ante Covic (Glory), Kerem Bulut (Iraklis), Nikita Rukavytsya (released), Jason Trifiro (released), Nick Ward (injury replacement), Nick Kalmar (injury replacement), Antony Golec (Perth Glory), Adrian Madaschi (injury replacement), Iacopo La Rocca (Adelaide United), Yojiro Takahagi (FC Seoul), Yusuke Tanaka (released), Yianni Perkatis (Blacktown City), Steve Kuzmanovski (Melbourne City), Matthew Spiranovic (Hangzhou Greentown), Labinot Haliti (Newcastle Jets), Mateo Poljak (Newcastle Jets).
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