- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Tony Popovic has shown he is a capable coach in his two years at West Sydney, however he has also shown when it comes to grand final day, he is a grand final flop.
Before we look at this year, a reminder of last years failures helps gives us a background into his grand final day performances.
After defeating Newcastle 3-0 in the final round, and Brisbane 2-0 in the semi final of the 2012/13 season, Popovic had found an excellent midfield combination of youngster Perkatis, Ono and Poljak. On grand final day however, he removed Perkatis from the equation, bringing back Aaron Mooy from injury. Western Sydney’s flow on the day was gone. They never looked likely and accordingly, lost 2-0.
In fact, the only player on the day that looked likely was speedy winger Kwawena Appiah-Kubi. He took on the Mariners and threatened all day, however, with about 20 minutes to go Popovic replaced him. The Wanderers didn’t get close.
Forward ahead 12 months and with a grand final loss under his belt, the coach needed a good day to get a side capable of winning the grand final over the line.
He picked a team that picked itself. The only decision he had to make was Santalab or Juric up front. Although Juric offers more in terms of goal scoring ability, he is yet to determine when it’s best to shoot or lay off, and before he can do that, warming the bench may be his best spot.
The first half the Wanderers were excellent. They were better than Brisbane and if Santalab’s touch on 43 minutes was better they may have taken a lead into the break.
Popvic may argue that Toppor-Stanley’s injury through his plans out the window. He would have a case. However his plan B was either not good enough or non existent.
Taking the best player in the first half, La Rocca, from the midfield into the defence allowed Brisbane to come at Western Sydney. He decided to send Mooy on instead of Shannon Cole. Neither player was a great options – even still Popovic chose the wrong one.
He took a long time to get Juric on for Santalab, who had been reckless with his tackles throughout the match, and lacked the quality to take advantage of chances either side of half time.
His decision to replace Ono was a poor one. If the match did go to extra time, who was going to orchestrate the Wanderers attack? The answer ended up proving to be no one. It was a lack of forward thinking from Popovic.
Hersi had spent the match constantly losing the ball down the right. Didn’t it scream out to replace the right winger, like he did in the previous grand final? Mark Bridge had gone quiet in the second half. That was another option. However, he replaced Ono towards the end of the match on many occasions throughout the season, so why not just do it again? Forget about his influence on the match and just do what is always done.
The criticism of Popovic won’t take away from the fact he has run first and second in two seasons as a manager of WSW. He has got the team out of the group stage in the ACL as well. However, his finest moments have not come on grand final day.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.