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Tony Popovic looks to have added more goal-scoring threat and his Wanderers have greater depth and look very potent in forward transition.
What happened last season
It was their first, and what a season it was.
A premiership, a grand final, an amazing support that grew by the game, generating one of the most enjoyable matchday experiences you could find anywhere, both at Wanderland and away, it was impossible not to be drawn to the Wanderers.
From the amazing scenes generated by the Red and Black Bloc to the organised on-field performances from Tony Popovic’s men, it was hard not to get goosebumps whether you were at Wanderland, hosting the Wanderers, or watching on the box.
As the season grew, more and more were stretching out the right arm and answering the “Who do we sing for?” call from the RBB.
On the field Popovic moulded a tight, motivated team, playing a reactive game built around a organised defensive structure and getting the ball forward quickly to the trio of attackers in the line behind the number 9, Youssouf Hersi, Shinji Ono and Mark Bridge.
Once the ball was in the front third, the Wanderers had the craft and quality to create regular opportunities, despite getting little goal threat out of their nominal number 9, Dino Kresinger.
Popovic’s skilful management of the squad during the congested Christmas schedule helped the Wanderers build some great momentum in the back half of the campaign, and it was only a series of injuries and suspensions towards the start of the finals that slowed them down.
Ultimately, in the grand final, they looked as flat as they had at any time in the season, stretched by the power and width of the Central Coast Mariners.
What happened in the off-season
While continuity has been a feature of Popovic’s squad build, there’s little doubt he’s also conscious you can’t afford to stand still in the A-League.
To that end he has looked to fill the one obvious hole from last season, the goals from the number 9, with Tomi Juric and Brendan Santalab brought in. The latter, like so many Wanderers signings, has the flexibility to also play out wide.
Adaptability remains a key feature of the Wanderers squad, and it’s been interesting seeing Aaron Mooy used in more of an offensive role this pre-season, spending time very high, as a second striker, with little defensive responsibility.
It seems Popovic has spent much of the build-up trying to add more goal threat around the central striker area, and it appears he will look to sacrifice a little more in defence to add up top.
The other area the Wanderers will need to be better in is in retaining possession deeper, and to that end the signing of Matt Spiranovic gives them more opportunity to do so.
While Nikolai Topor-Stanley and Michael Beauchamp were a brick defensively, distribution isn’t their greatest forte, and if Popovic is looking to play out at some stage, Spiranovic could be key.
One of the big challenges for the manager is ensuring any greater emphasis on attack doesn’t compromise the Wanderers strength at the back.
The club has also been busy off the field, signing over 15,000 members , trying to find a buyer for the club, and trying, unsuccessfully, to get the capacity of Wanderland expanded by 20 percent before the season.
Why Western Sydney Wanderers fans should get excited about the 2013/14 season
In Popovic they have a manager who stepped up in his first full season to sit alongside the A-League’s elite, Ange Postecoglou and Graham Arnold.
While the challenges will flow thick and fast as opponents come at his successful team, Popovic has proved a very thoughtful and resourceful technician, able to get the best out of him men and get them all on the same page.
By adding Juric and Santalab, and releasing Mooy higher, the Wanderers should have more goal threat and take some of the creative burden off Ono, Hersi and Bridge.
Elsewhere, they added two exciting prospects I’ve been keeping an eye on the past couple of years, Martin Lo and Nick Olsen, both neat technicians.
The main man that can carry Western Sydney Wanderers’ hopes
With such an array of attacking talent likely to be share the goal scoring burden, the key man is likely to be the one that bonds the attack and defence, and to that end Mateo Poljak remains such a key for Popovic.
At times a one man wrecking ball in the midfield last season, he will need to be at his physical best to help the Wanderers control many of the league’s improving and mobile midfields.
Not only providing protection in front of Topor-Stanley and Beauchamp, Poljak will be expected to trigger many of the rapid counter-attacks.
While distribution isn’t his greatest strength, he will need to be neat under what is likely to be a greater press.
If Poljak plays well, the Wanderers generally tick. If he is off, as he was in the grand final, the Wanderers struggle.
Verdict – top four
With more and more teams taking a proactive approach to their football, including Adelaide, Brisbane, and Perth this season, the Wanderers won’t find it as easy to control opponents.
But they are still likely to prove a real threat given their defensive strength and ability to transition forward swiftly. This should continue to help them on the road.
In a league where the ability of teams to sustain the ball is evolving, the Wanderers physicality and defensive discipline should lay a platform for the likes of Hersi, Ono, Bridge, Juric, Santalab, Mooy, Kwabena Appiah and Labinot Haliti to flourish in attack.
The depth up front and across the squad means Popovic has the tools and greater cover, and if he can keep his key men fresh, there is every chance they could be firing towards the end of the season.
If their football can evolve to the point they can also sustain more possession, the Wanderers could be even more complete than last season.
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