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.
Beardan
Roar Guru
Ono was fine to play on. What about that pass he delivered shortly he was taken off in another Grand Final coaching blunder by Poppa...
Beardan
Roar Guru
problem was Hersi had been losing the ball all season. didnt put in after he signed with Perth.
Beardan
Roar Guru
I didnt and can't edit comments you drip.
Professor Rosseforp
Guest
"Absolute dud" is pretty harsh for a coach who not only got his team into the grand final, but in the final, put up an impressive effort to hold off the best team in the competition -- and lead for a good part of the game. People have talked about WSW having it all their own way for the first 20 minutes. From the comfort of my lounge they appeared to totally dominate the first half. They only lost some of that control as Brisbane came at them so hard, and actually began playing to a plan. The deciding factor for me was not the replacement of players, but the physical style of harassment used by the Wanderers. Once the match went into extra time, they were in trouble, as they have to run so hard during the normal 90 minutes to play that style. The game remained close, though, and throughout extra time there was always a chance they might strike back. There is no shame in being bettered by the opposite coach.
Dan
Guest
Its easy to question decisions after the result but he made the decisions and he'll learn from them, I don't think it's fair to label him a dud for it though. I wondered why he subbed Ono at the time but Ono did look shot at the time, I do think he should of gave Juric a run earlier. I disagree with your analysis of Hersi though. Hersi is a dangerous player, he's always trying something and quite often he is a game changer. Any manager would prefer to see an attacking player lose the ball taking on a defender. Brisbane marked him well all night, clearly sensing his danger.
Mitch
Guest
for what it is worth, I agree with you as I have been thinking similarily for some time
nate
Guest
way to edit my comment when i criticise your quality of writing. very classy you clown
AZ_RBB
Guest
I haven't seen Ono put in a good 90min performance all season. Quite a few great 60-70min showings but in the games where he has played 90 he has gone missing in the final 15mins and that was against far inferior opposition than Brisbane.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
"From that point on, it was one way traffic" You must have watched a different match. Brisbane didn't have any more lethal attacks than WSW. Brisbane scored from a set-piece (after another dubious foul), and in ET Henrique took his chance inside the box; Juric & Haliti missed their chances & Theo got his fingers to a ball that Hersi would have tapped in. Terrific drama. But, neither team dominated the whole game. During normal time: WSW dominated for 30'; BRI dominated for 30' & 30' was even ... as was ET.
BES
Guest
Actually I have been holding my tongue on this line - that everything suddenly magically change the moment TS went down - through way too many articles. WSW were on top for approximately the first 20 minutes of the match. BR had anticipated this and knew all they had to do was not concede during this absolutely predictable initial onslaught and by about 20 minutes WSW would be shot. From that point on, it was one way traffic. Yes WSW scored one against the run of play and this just forced BR to change from 2nd to 3rd gear and by the time TS went off - whilst trying to stop yet another potentially lethal attack in what was by that stage becoming an increasingly steady flow of them - the tide had well and truly already turned. Did the exit of TS make a difference, absolutely it did - was it THE defining point without which WSW would have waltzed in to the win? Only in the wildest WSW imaginations. Take another look at a full match replay and be reminded.
Beardan
Roar Guru
When you watch Australia at the World Cup, maybe you will remember who was the manager when Josh Kennedy knocked the header in to get Australia to the World Cup. Thats assuming you watch the world cup and not something more suited to you, like My Kitchen Rules.
nate
Guest
This coming from the same guy who claims the genius of Holger Oseik. Well played Brisbane. http://www.theroar.com.au/2013/06/18/why-holger-osieck-deserves-some-praise/
Beardan
Roar Guru
Brisbane came home well. As soon as NTS went off it was all Brisbane. Thats where Poppa fell down. He had nothing to counter it. The thing he had going for himself was Ono, and he got rid of him. WSW had nothing after that.
Beardan
Roar Guru
We have one thing in common, we both support WSW. We have one thing not in common, you have bad taste.
Beardan
Roar Guru
I never said Poppa was a poor coach. But in the Grand Finals he has been an absolute dud.
Beardan
Roar Guru
The handball could have gone either way. It was possibly a penalty. As for luck and the ref helping Brisbane, you lost your credibility right there.
Beardan
Roar Guru
I'd love to know where I said he replaced Hersi in last years Grand Final. Hersi was a dud all year. After he signed for Perth he was an absolute dud. Yesterday he was terrible and should have been replaced by Poppa who wasnt on the ball.
Beardan
Roar Guru
I didnt say Poppa was a flop. However I did say he was a Grand Final flop. His record isnt the best on the last day of the season.
Beardan
Roar Guru
Yes full credit to Brisbane and full credit to you for agreeing with the article. Clearly you know what you are talking about.
Beardan
Roar Guru
Beachamp should have been there instead of Shannon Cole, who is very average.