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.
AZ_RBB
Guest
some news from tonight's fan forum - 600 people who missed out on membership this season have put their name down on a waiting list for next season. - plans for a club anthem to be written and played when the team walk out - tifo will be allowed once flares stop - banners are allowed as long as they don't cover sponsorship wasn't there myself tonight but will add once i hear more.
fadida
Guest
I agree SVB, and certainly believe that WSW are good enough to play a possession game with Ono, Mooy and Spira. I also think sides may sit back and look to counter WSW this season, so it'll be fascinating tactically.
AZ_RBB
Guest
whats strange is that Pirtek ended their sponsorship of the Eels this season. They were probably the last company I expected to jump on board. Maybe that was their plan all along.
SVB
Guest
It will always be Parra Stadium to me.
AZ_RBB
Guest
new name is Pirtek Stadium.
SVB
Guest
The reason why we did so well was because most teams wrongly tried to press us, and in doing so committed players forward which allowed us to break on the counter. That's smart play from us. This year I'm sure they will be more hesitant to press. But that is because we are such a good team on the counter. All it will do is allow us to play a more possession based game. If you think the Wanderers players aren't capable of holding possession, then think again.
AZ_RBB
Guest
If the WSW method is so simple, isn't it concerning then it wasn't til the Grand Final that any team was able to undo them? I also think WSW executed the "always-chasing-the-ball" style really well. Their high press was the reason why you so often saw goalkeepers send goal kicks out on the full. While I'm here.....can't wait to see what becomes of Perkatis and Baressi this season!
fadida
Guest
I see your point Arto, but what has impressed about Popovic is just how supremely organised his team was, a team that was comprised of many players who you'd term "average" talents (eg Beauchamp, Bridge, NTS, D'Puzzo, Dino, Gibbs, Halitii). Making the "whole" greater than the "sum of the parts" is a hallmark of a quality coach, and the stick that can actually be used to beat Osieck with. Whether Popovic can adapt to how teams set up against them this season will challenge his tactical acumen. Will he take the game to opponents or rely on being solid and counter-attacking?
AZ_RBB
Guest
Parra Stadium being renamed today. Will be a corporate name. Most of us will still call it Parra Stadium but new name will mean significant revenue for both Eels and Wanderers.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Appiah Kubi has been mentioned a fair bit here and over the last few months. I really don't rate him though. He has all the physical attributes of a good athlete. But his dribbling and first touch isn't at A League standard. He gets into good places because of the aforementioned attributes but unlike Hersi he isn't effective with the ball at his feet. I know he's still young but I hope he improves greatly this season.
Kane Cassidy
Roar Guru
It'll be interesting to see how they fare with targets on their backs.
Arto
Guest
@ Nathan Cirson: I agree, they look a good team on paper - on par with MV and just behind Roar, IMO. The biggest unknowns for me are will they suffer the 2nd Season Blues? And can they still win games without giving up the initiative & playing on the counter seeing as now the other HAL teams will be expecting that tactic? I'll also be interested in seeing what their best XI is - Santalab, Juric, Ono, Bridge & Hersi + now Mooy playing in a more advanced role sounds like a lot of firepower, but who of those will actually start? All of them (that seems like they'll be too attach heavy to play on the counter, IMO)? Also, what happens if Poljak gets injured/drops in form? Is La Rocca good enough to take over?
Arto
Guest
@ Tony: "I haven’t said anything about him being a tactical genius" - I never said you did. The point I'm trying to make is that before everyone blindly hops on the bandwagon that has "Poppa for NT coach" painted along it's sides, can we actually bring to the cold, hard light of day exactly how good Poppa is tactically. You think "he’s a man of technical detail, a clever technician who knows and sees football", why? What did he do last season that makes you think that? Like I alluded to my 1st comment, how is what he did last season any different to 'parking the bus' or the 'anti-football' claims people bandy about Jose Mourinho for example? I went to a couple of WSW games & saw another few on Fox Sports and they were definitely not boring or dull games, but he didn't seem to me to be a great tactician - maybe I'm oversimplifying things by describing the WSW tactics as stay compact at the back & through the middle to wait for a turnover & then sprint forward with the front 3 & 2 midfielders in order to take advantage of an unsettled opposition defence???
Jukes
Guest
He has improved as a player since his stint in China. Gives us another option in attack. A good signing.
Jukes
Guest
I think its critical Mooy takes more responsibility of leading the attack this year. He is a super talent and I get the sense he just needs to believe in himself more. He is a naturally shy lad, but he needs to be the boss in Midfield and just create like we know he can. He needs to be a "General" and not a "Private". From what I have read and seen he will take a more attacking position in midfield which I think will suit him just fine.
Jukes
Guest
I think you will find that Poppa like most coaches in the A-league are evolving. With last years preparation and lead time so short he didn't really have much time to come up with anything fancy in regards to the system of play. The most important aspect of last year was to get the defence right and he did that effectively. With players like Hersi, Appiah Kubi, Polenz, Bridge these players can allow you to attack quickly on the break. Seeing as Poppa was a terrific defender in his day as a player it would only figure that he would have a more defensive mindset when organising his team. I don't think that would be the only way he could play the team, but generally more so than not. It proved very effective last year and I would be interested to see how teams counter that. The only team who had any success against us were the Mariners. So we will find out soon enough.
Tony Tannous
Expert
If you read closely, I haven't said anything about him being a tactical genius, but in my opinion he's a man of technical detail, a clever technician who knows and sees football
Arto
Guest
Just to play Devil's Advocate: how exactly has Popovic "proved (to be) a very thoughtful and resourceful technician"? He's obvioulsy done very well and full credit to him for both astute recruiting and success within a short timeframe having had a very rushed (& limited) period to get organised. I like the guy a lot (he comes across as very down-to-earth, humble, and straightforward), so I'm not trying to knock him per se - rather just bring to the surface of popular debate exactly why people claim him to be a great tactician. I mean, he hasn't exactly come up with anything revolutionary or new (in a football tactics sense). Some might even argue that he's another exponent of the 'park-the-bus' method of playing... If we accept the common notion of WSW tactics is to be defensively compact & strike fast on the counter, that seems a somewhat limited if very effective tactic. The danger for WSW is that more teams adopt a style of patient build-up towards an obvious goal-scoring opportunity based upon increased focus upon ball-possesion & retention - espcially @ Wanderland. My fear is that WSW may not be that great @ creating chances against well-organised/well-set defences - ie: they play a mirror-image of themselves from last season. I hope they do well and don't suffer the 2nd Season blues to badly (except against SFC!). It's important for the A-League that they don't fall flat on their face after last year's high!
Tony Tannous
Expert
Definitely interesting to see what effect any sale does have, on & off the pitch
Tony Tannous
Expert
Agree, would be great if Mooy has a big year