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The Wanderers have scored the least amount of goals of any team in the A-League and only Adelaide have conceded fewer.
They’re hardly statistics that scream entertainment but, as always, the numbers only tell part of the story.
To be sitting in fifth place on the ladder with three wins, three losses and one draw says plenty about a competition where you’re only ever consecutive losses away from a crisis.
Had Western Sydney wilted under immense pressure against Perth yesterday they could’ve been in eighth position, just one point above bottom placed Sydney FC, having suffered back-to-back defeats for the second time in the first seven rounds.
That would’ve been a huge blow to the confidence of a team that hasn’t been outclassed by any opponent. A feeling starts to creep in that effort doesn’t equal reward.
Youssouf Hersi, who had otherwise had a brilliant first half, made life tough for his teammates by getting himself sent off in the 38th minute.
Hersi had just had his Achilles massaged by the boot of Scott Jamieson when the Dutchman lashed out at the Glory defender.
It was a red mist moment that had the potential to undo all of the good work the Wanderers had poured into the first half, after they had taken the lead through a Iacopo La Rocca header in the 15th minute.
It was the fourth time in as many games they’d opened the scoring; not bad for a team that went the first three rounds without a goal.
Last week, they led 1-nil against Newcastle before losing 2 – 1 at Parramatta Stadium.
Facing the same scenario against last season’s grand finalists and with only 10 men, Western Sydney showed extreme courage under heavy fire.
Ante Covic, unwanted by the Melbourne Victory, spent almost as much time moving horizontally as vertically, while Michael Beauchamp and Nikolai Topor-Stanley continue to produce career best form.
Hersi, in a strange and largely unwanted way, did coach Tony Popovic a favour yesterday.
It’s the first time the Wanderers have been reduced to 10 men and the rookie coach was provided with the answers to the type of questions that keep men in his profession up at night.
Would they have the courage to hold on?
Would they have the stamina to last?
Would they trust the system and believe that commitment does equal reward, despite their previous setbacks?
The answer to all of those was a resounding yes.
Popovic had already been given an indication over the first six rounds with players desperate to adhere to a high pressing and physically demanding style of play. Perhaps now he can sleep a little easier.
He has made several bold and some would say brave decisions about players. Some out of necessity and others out of faith.
When you’re playing with the house’s money there’s also a bit of pressure, especially when the house is aiming to sell the team as soon as is logical.
Some of the unfashionable members of the squad have repaid that faith with unquestionable commitment.
On paper, yesterday was just a 1-nil victory.
In reality, it was much more.
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