Western Sydney Wanderers gave Sydney FC a free 90-minute football lesson in a convincing 2-0 win in the Sydney derby over the weekend.
The performance was more dominant than the scoreline suggests, with Sydney creating next to nothing over the course of the match.
Western Sydney Wanderers probably should have won by a greater margin given their dominance, but they were never in danger of not taking away the three points from the Sydney Football Stadium.
Western Sydney Wanderers defenders Nikolai Topor-Stanley and Michael Beauchamp were both superb on the night. Japanese marquee signing Shinji Ono was also very good after a slow start to the season.
As for Sydney FC, it seems like they have too many players more concerned with their bank balance than the ball.
This club has a lot of problems, and the majority start with the fact they play like they’re not interested in doing the hard work to dig themselves out of the hole they are in.
Whether Frank Farina remains the correct bloke to be at the helm remains to be seen, though his track record as a manager isn’t anything to write home about.
He does look to be the best of what was available, which wasn’t very much.
Meanwhile, Central Coast lead the way in the A-League. They are very consistent but their greatest problem is they have played in a lot of deciders – three grand finals – and lost them all, including after being up 2-0 with two minutes to play against Brisbane Roar two seasons ago.
Hard to get a better definition of chokers than that record…
Beardan
Roar Guru
No Ninja, just stating facts.
jbinnie
Guest
Johnno - I'd be careful about indirectly "criticising" WSW recruiting policy by saying it will improve things next year. The "recruiting policy" has worked very well this year,the whole team was recruited.jb
Wicked Ninja
Guest
So, an article about the Sydney derby ends with the author calling the Mariners "chokers". Really, Beardan? Did you run out of things to mention?
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
Disagree Johnno, on the whole 'what does the [any] club represent' question. In this day and age of professionalism, players will sign with a club for one or two reasons... 1. Money 2. The chance to be part of something significant (i.e. win titles) 3. Lifestyle I have never heard of any player in any code signing with a particular club because that club is "working class", or "lots of bling" or whatever. Sydney's problems are well documented - there is little to no long-term strategy in place. This is why the signing of Ian Crook was so disastrous - when he (rather inevitably I thought) couldn't cut it, it forced the club into making a rushed decision into hiring Farina. Now Farina may or may not be a good coach, but the point is - what is his role right now? He's come out and said all he's worried about at the moment is this season. And that's fine from his perspective, but it's not what the club needs long-term. They need to be hiring someone who is going to commit for 3-5 years and has as part of his brief, the goal of building up a strong coaching/fitness staff and playing roster. In other words, do what the Mariners have been doing over the past few years...
Johnno
Guest
Sydney FC still have potential , i just don't think they still know yet who they represent totally. East,North South,CBD, inner city is 50/50, inner west places like Annandale, Erskinville and Newtown 50/50. Somewhere like Petersham , would be far more West Sydney. Bling FC i don't hear as much now. I still think a Northern Spirit type club would be good. People of lower and upper north shore have a clear identity, certainlty on the northern beaches they are just that, northern beaches folk , only go to Brookvale and Manly games at Brooky. Northen spirit got big crowds at North sydney oval too. As for west sydney wanderers,there just getting bigger and bigger, they could be the biggest sporting team in OZ with in 10 years. Next year with a full preseason of marketing, and player recruitment, and sponsorship development they will get even better. A real community club too, The Barcelona FC of Australia.