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Western Sydney Wanderers have been the story of Australian sport in the last 12 months.
A mere twinkle in the FFA’s eye a year ago, the Wanderers have clinched their first piece of silverware with their 3-0 win over Newcastle Jets last Friday night.
However, a report in today’s Sydney Morning Herald states that Wanderers coach Tony Popovic knows that “in his own mind”, his team have already won the league.
Sebastian Hassett’s story did not quote the Wanderers’ boss directly, but if this is the feeling Popovic is conveying to his players as they enjoy a week’s break, I’d be amazed.
It’s a comfortable psychological state to slip into and one that looked to cost the Central Coast Mariners dearly last season. And this year, the Wanderers don’t have the luxury of a second chance, as the Mariners did in 2012.
The Wanderers success this season has been built on hard work, unity and commitment combined with a tactical gameplan that took advantage of their strengths rather than trying to mould the playing group into any one conventional formation.
Often the Wanderers appeared below their best in certain stages of a match but the collective work ethic and ability to hold teams at bay until their attacking play clicked won them games, fans and adulation.
Beating Melbourne Heart while playing with ten men for more than 80 minutes encapsulated what this team is about.
So I’d be shocked if “Poppa”, who has experienced the cut throat nature of play-offs here and in the UK, would be patting his players on the back and saying “Job done, boys”.
It doesn’t matter what he, Graham Arnold or any other so-called “traditionalist” thinks in respect to the champion team in the A-League.
Both Popovic and Arnold know that for their respective clubs to clinch this season’s A-League, they still have two wins to achieve.
Unsurprisingly, Ange Postecoglou is a firm advocate of the finals format and just who has coached the last two A-League champions?
That the Brisbane Roar won their first title after clinching the Premier’s Plate, and won their second after being regular-season runners-up, shows that, among other factors, the focus for the Roar in both play-off series remained on winning the grand final.
The Wanderers could play any of the teams that finished fourth, fifth or sixth in their semi final on April 12th.
And the pedigree of all three in finals football is strong. Adelaide United (4th) are in woeful form, and have seemingly not recovered from the acrimonious departure of former coach John Kosmina.
But the club is well-versed in cut-throat football, having made two A-League grand finals and an Asian Champions League final. Brisbane Roar (5th) are aiming for a three-peat of titles and are in red-hot form.
If they beat Adelaide, which has to be a probability on current form, they’ll provide a stiff test of the Wanderers title credentials.
Perth Glory (6th) have almost flown under the radar into the finals but with their run to the grand final last year fresh in the mind, and newish coach Alistair Edwards building in a cohesive playing pattern, a Glory win over Melbourne Victory would not be a shock.
If Perth win, they, as lowest ranked winners, would travel to Parramatta Stadium in week two of the play-offs.
Approaching any of those teams in a tense semi final with an attitude of “we’ve already won the real competition” could lead to a massive let-down for the Wanderers’ magnificent supporters.
I can’t imagine that after a season of such great achievement, Popovic would be allowing his players to relax mentally, with the real prize only two more games away.
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