It’s not every week you can rest your stars, come away from Perth with a point, then bring them back in and get exactly what you were after. But right now, everything Tony Popovic and his Western Sydney Wanderers touch appears to be turning to gold.
Many would have suggested that his decision to leave the likes of Youssouf Hersi, Shinji Ono, Jerome Polenz, Iacopo La Rocca and Adam D’Apuzzo at home for the round 13 trip to Perth was a gamble.
Popovic saw it as a calculated one. With one eye on the next game and dealing with a long trip to Perth, he no doubt saw it as an opportunity to rest some tired legs and give other members of his squad an opportunity.
After putting the cleaners through Adelaide four days out from Christmas, Popovic went to Perth six days later with a complete new-look, bringing the likes of Kwabena Appiah-Kubi, Labinot Haliti, Tarek Elrich, Jason Trifiro, Joey Gibbs and Shannon Cole into his XI.
Elrich and Appiah-Kubi, and Reece Caira on the bench, had barely kicked a first team ball this season.
While it gave these players on the periphery a sniff, the plan was as much about resting his stars for the next challenge, the high-flying Melbourne Victory on New Year’s day.
Back into his XI came the likes of Ono, Polenz, Bridge, Kresinger, La Rocca and Hersi, all freshened-up by either a spell back home over Christmas or a place on the bench in Perth.
Polenz, especially, would be a key return, charged with the responsibility of keeping up with one half of the dangerous Archie Thompson and Marco Rojas combo.
Meanwhile, the entire front third was fresh on New Year’s day, therefore able to effect Popovic’s plans, which were to press the Victory high and put pressure on their back four and goalkeeper.
The plan was also about ensuring both Bridge and Hersi had the legs to drop back and help the fullbacks restrain Thompson and Rojas.
It proved a master-stroke.
While the Victory threatened to steal something from Parramatta late, when Spase Dilevski grabbed an equaliser, Western Sydney were able to rebound and finish strongly, getting what they deserved.
Ono, in particular, was fresh, and despite a heavy knock on the ankle was able to have a major influence on the outcome. Some show.
It was a credit not only to Popovic’s tactical acumen, but to the work of his strength and conditioning coach, Adam Waterson, who has skilfully managed the workload of his squad.
While four games in 17 days across the festive period would test the depth of any squad, Popovic and Waterson have tinkered accordingly, and so far been rewarded.
The manager, in doing so, has also sent a clear message about his faith in the squad, and his own strategies.
The fact Trifiro, Elrich, Appiah-Kubi and Haliti were able to come in and get the job done in Perth speaks to an understanding about their roles in his system.
It is a well refined modus operandi, which is not so much about the personnel, but the structure.
And it’s not the only time this season that Popovic has shuffled his pieces with great success.
When Aaron Mooy returned from the Socceroos’ East Asian Cup qualifiers in Hong Kong, many were expecting him to slot straight into the starting XI for the second Sydney Derby, especially after his two free-kick screamers in green and gold.
But Popovic had other ideas.
Reasoning that Mooy had only returned on Thursday, that he’d had a heavy workload under Holger Osieck and that his tactical plans were already in place for the derby, Popovic was happy to leave him on the bench.
After all, Poljak and La Rocca had done the job against Brisbane a week earlier, with Mooy away, and deserved their derby spots.
Despite the great derby win, the next week, against Adelaide, Popovic made three more changes to his XI.
Bridge was one that came in, and promptly bagged a hat-trick.
Talk about the Midas Touch.
Every week, it seems, Popovic is sending out a strong message to his own men and opponents.
On Sunday, when the Mariners come to Wanderland, it’s likely Popovic will again shuffle his squad around, especially given the five day turn-around and the fact Kresinger limped off with what appeared to be a knee injury.
Popovic’s skilful man-management has already been one of the most endearing features of this most riveting of A-League seasons, but in the midst of it all he is already planning for the next.
In the past week or so he’s extended the contracts of Mateo Poljak, Michael Beauchamp and Ante Covic into next season, and my mail is a couple more players will be re-signed this week.
It’s the type of detailed planning that has the Wanderers poised and pushing for a spot in the top two, and if they can take the scalp of the Mariners on Sunday, who knows how far Popovic and his motivated men can go.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
The sport Reynoldsinski, does not rely upon ethnic communities, it embraces them. As for that matter does AFL who is actively encouraging young Africans to play and rugby with it's love the Pacific Islanders.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
"That is the problem with football in this country, having to rely on ethnic communities embracing the league" @Reynoldsinski Unless you're still stuck in a 1950s fantasy world, having "ethnic communities" embrace your product or your idea is NOT a problem; it's a MASSIVE BENEFIT. It's obvious you are not a business man or, if you are, you're not a successful or progressive businessman. It's the 21st century. The world is a global customer market. The organisations & products that will be successful are those that appeal across all demographics: gender, race, religion, age, socio-economic. Heck, one of the most Conservative countries on earth .. the good ol' US of A, which has been dominated by the insular-thinking GOP has finally realised the folly of appealing to only 1 group of people - white males. It's the New World Order - embrace it, or start digging your hole! PS: Interestingly, a sport like AFL spends millions of dollars each year trying to market itself to "ethnic communities" ... football doesn't need such gimmicks - the game markets itself to the whole world.
Bondy.
Guest
Rey. Why do you have a world cup in aussie rules but no australian team plays in it ,strange. Lol.
Reynoldsinski
Guest
That is the problem with football in this country, having to rely on ethnic communities embracing the league.
nordster
Guest
Pretty exciting potential in the newer waves from african descent...some strikers pls :) We just have to get a special skilled intake from the favelas now...coaches ideally and repopulate us with some attacking flair...
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
I'm hoping they also act as something of a catalyst for the indigenous community as well
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Like all the migrant communities that have made their home in Australia, the African community uses football as the glue to bind them & ease their way into broader Aussie society. Brilliant video footage of MVFC lads at the 3rd annual Australian Somali Football Championships finals. This is not "grab a photo with an African Aussie holding an egg-ball" - these young men are the real deal. Technically awesome footballers - can't wait until our African Aussie brothers start graduating to the senior AUS NT. http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/melbournevictory/news-display/VIDEO-Australian-Somali-Football-CShips/57182
nordster
Guest
Reynoldinski...if u knew western sydney youd realise that football as a sport (incl all os leagues, NTs) is as big as rugby league in some parts...especially the central west sydney where the effniks are located. Rugby league heartland is more my old patch of penrith...outer subs very RL...central not as much. Plenty of migrants, they are only scratching the surface at WSW. Wait til the africans around blacktown and elsewhere embrace the club. There are plenty of communities to reach out to in the west, good couple of years of work can be done there. Especially if they do it slowly aka properly...
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Hi Guys I think we might be being a bit reactionary towards Reynoldsinski here. What he is saying is that he has doubts that the current fan base will grow significantly as there is a novelty factor in play at the beginning of any new team that wears off after a period. This is true and something that WSW will be acutely aware of. Where I think he is wrong is that Western Sydney was also an NSL stronghold and has a vibrant local competition. This means that there will, in my opinion, be less bandwagoners and more skeptics than in other regions. Hence I believe there is room for significant growth as the club proves it can reach the community and win over these skeptics. Whilst I disagree with Reynoldsinski's predictions, I do think that his concerns are based upon some reality and are not just an attempt to wind us all up. Reynoldsinski (ye Gods typing your name is work), argue your point saliently and calmly, Fuss, don't bite. Punter, keep being Punter.
nordster
Guest
Are BvB more building him into a potential Gundogan replacement... maybe they dont see him in an attacking mid role at all. More holding or CM than Rogic who has the creativity and touch to play further forward than Musti
Punter
Guest
Yes, he was poor at that under 20 WC, he under Arnold, worked on his stamina last year, I thought his technique was strong. Now playing for a top club, he can hopefully improve. He definitely didn't have the impact of Rogic, but he is younger than Rogic. I have high hopes, but I do agree he has not really shown anything as yet.
Realfootball
Guest
I saw him at the U20 WC. He was slow, lacked stamina and his technque was well below par. He wasn't anywhere near the level of the opposing midfielders. He was underwhelming against good players in the A League too. Time will tell. I hope I'm wrong.
Punter
Guest
Reynoldski, I don't need no education, I have a mind of my own, I follow football, I love the sport, I come on here to discuss football, whether we are the biggest sport in the world or the 3rd biggest football code in Australia, it does not matter. However, you are the one who is confused, I don't even know what sport you follow, you just come on here & are all negative about football, not sure why all the fear? If you want to talk the BBL or the Sri Lankan keeper, go to the Cricket tab, if you want to discuss AFL go to the AFL tab, I think by now you are getting the idea, pick the sport you enjoy & go to that tab & discuss with like minded people, it really is that simple.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
"Its my job to educate you Punter" ... mmm.. starting to sound very much like the now defunct football troll, TC. Reynoldsinski, why would I care what's happening in the Big Brother League?
Reynoldsinski
Guest
Its my job to educate you Punter. Try to get you to stop copying your mate, and to have a mind of your own. Fussball - if you think a weak comment like that is gold, then you are easily pleased. 24,500 at the Gabba tonight for the BBL. Just thought you'd like to know.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
"Go back to discussing the new Sri Lankan keeper & whether he deserved the call up or not" G--O--O--O--L--D--D!
Punter
Guest
Easily avoidable, don't go into football tabs, ignore us. Go back to discussing the new Sri Lankan keeper & whether he deserved the call up or not.
Reynoldsinski
Guest
Of course I know about the history of the game here. I had forgotten about the massive chip on the should of the average Aussie football fan though.
striker
Guest
Reynoldski you are a joke if you don't know the history of the game here best you stick to league,fuss football rise us getting to some people hehe.
Punter
Guest
Only 2 Australian players are on the books of some of the best teams in Europe, Mitch Landerak & Amini, so some people rate Amini.