Second-placed Western Sydney Wanderers tonight play Perth Glory, who will look for back-to-back wins under new boss Alistair Edwards. We’ll have live scores and commentary from 5.30pm AEDT.
The decision to replace head coach Ian Ferguson with the up-and-coming Edwards bore fruit immediately last week as the FFA assistant technical director masterminded a win over league leaders Central Coast Mariners.
Edwards is trying to instil a curriculum-based philosophy at the club, which took a while to win over the fans last week.
But after persisting with the possession-based game, Perth were given a standing ovation as they exited the field. It may just be a new day for the Western Australian club.
Edwards stated with a 4-3-3 formation last week, using the pace of Chris Harold and Travis Dodd on the wings to service the ever-dangerous Shane Smeltz up front.
You would expect Edwards to leave his winning side unchanged for tonight.
With a strong squad including the likes of Smeltz, Liam Miler, Michael Thwaite and Josh Risdon, it’s about time Perth started playing some decent football. Edwards already looks a shrewd choice for the top job.
Meanwhile, the Wanderers juggernaught continues to roll on and with a home ground advantage, Tony Popovic’s side will be looking to take top spot.
Last week they managed an important away win to Melbourne Victory, with goals from their two imports Iacopo La Rocca and Shinji Ono.
With Tony Popovic committed to his squad rotation policy, it’s hard to know if tonight’s line-up will remain the same as last week.
However, we can expect the Wanderers to press the Glory, as has been a feature of their game all season.
They are now perhaps the best pressing side in the competition and will be looking to force turnovers against a Perth side still coming to terms with Edwards’ possession based philosophy.
While it is tempting to tip giant-killers Perth tonight, I expect the Wanderers to be too good for the Glory.
Popovic has had a week to prepare his squad for the new-look Perth side, and with league leaders Central Coast up against Melbourne Victory, a win could take them to the top of the ladder.
In front of their boisterous home crowd, the Wanderers are playing for more than just a win. Top spot by round 22 would be an unprecedented prize for a first-year club.
wonder boy
Guest
11k crowd was great considering the storms that hit west Sydney all day before the game.crowd was still as energetic as usual.i love the way every other a league club is in denial about wsw being the sleeping giant it is.try to buy a jersey, you can't as the league can't keep up with demand for the red and black.after 8 years in the league like most other teams the wanderers will be the biggest football club of all codes.
Roarsome
Guest
Not spoiling it :). I am enjoying the WSW story and even made the effort to travel to Parra and see them play. I'm just keeping things in perspective.
Sheps
Guest
Appalling weather AND track work CityRailmake for a great combination! No wonder the crowds were down.
Titus
Guest
He's got to contribute somehow.
Titus
Guest
Come on Roarsome, why you got to spoil the honeymoon like that?
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Well, let's see. Positives: Went toe to toe with the form team. Played well, some great glimpses. Only conceded from an unnecessary deflection from Thwaite that shouldn't have happened. Some good creative play from Nagai. Miller is really picking up under Edward's leadership, showing his potential. Pants has been better in defense. No real hacking and smushing going on. Edwards reaction to going a goal down was immediate and strong, completely approved. Teams in better positions than us have been dealt far more roughly here than we have been. Negatives: Yet another one-nil defeat (sigh), making an eleven-billionth one-nil loss. Very limited chances, even giving some credit for the bad weather. Nagai's shooting boots are distinctly useless. Can get into position but helpless when he needs to take the shot. There are very few remaining opportunities for points. Finals are looking very dim.
Roarsome
Guest
The boys from the West? Perth :)
Roarsome
Guest
One could successfully argue they've been good for the league though ADP or MVFC this season have drawn more people to the game than the WSW, especially at away fixtures. But "the biggest story in Australian sporting history" go home Bos, you've had a few too many.
Brick Tamlin of the Pants Party
Guest
Nothing in that game,things are going WSW's way atm and the one clear cut chance they got deflected into the net.Miller had a golden chance to equalise near the end but instead of smashing it low across the deck he passes it into Covics chest,he was immense apart from that though.Massive improvement from the last away game,that insipid display in NZ.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Bozza is a very serious fanboi, it has to be said.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
He's broken down this year, don't think he's every really gotten over the injury from international duty. Part of it is service but part of it has been him. He hasn't made enough of such service he has had.
Johnno
Guest
Bozza's right, WSW have transformed the A-league, without WSW this year the A-league would be as big no where near. If gold coast united were still in, do you really think anyone would care. WSW are much more important to football than GCU, who are just a dot no one cares about football on the gold coast, just look at the crowd difference as just one of many examples. WSW have made the A-lague what it is today.
Joe Gorman
Expert
probably a bit much from Bozza
Roarsome
Guest
Bosnich. WSW "arguably one of the greatest stories in Australian sporting history". You've got to be kidding me. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
Whites
Guest
Smeltz is a great goal scorer. He's just not getting the service this year.
Whites
Guest
7 wins in a row. 1 short of equaling the record.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Well, that's frustrating. Only Thwaite's deflection in it. (Lucky which the goalscorer himself just admitted). And a kajillionth one-nil loss. How it is that we can't generate goals with the offensive half we have... Need to really work hard here to get some passing into the final third.
Joe Gorman
Expert
FT: WSW 1-0 PG The RBB are in full voice as the Western Sydney Wanderers win again in the rain. The boys from the west deserved it, with some excellent defensive work on a still-shaky Perth side. The Wanderers are now "provisionally top" of the A-League ladder. The conditions didn't help either side, but you feel there is a fair bit of work left for Edwards at Perth. With the likes of Smeltz, Miller and young Chris Harold, there is certainly plenty of talent to work with. The question is, can anybody stop the Wanderers?
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Lol, that was a really wonky 3 on 1.
Roarsome
Guest
Germano is still the gold medal holder though. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].