It’s Sydney derby time on Saturday. If the Western Sydney Wanderers are to take anything from their trip to the SFS, their front three of Romeo Castelen, Frederico Piovaccari and Jaushua Sotirio need to find the polish and start producing the currencies that count up front: goals and assists.
While it’s still early in the season and the signs for the Wanderers have been good apart from the defensive lapses in the first half against Brisbane, their finishing in the opening two rounds has been verging on abysmal.
In the loss to Brisbane it was Sotirio and Piovaccari the most culpable, although right-sided Castelen chimed in with a number of poor efforts as the Wanderers finished strongly.
Last Friday, away to Adelaide United, Castelen took centre stage. Playing arguably his most influential game since joining the Wanderers, he was involved in much of Western Sydney’s build up, until he got into the final third.
That’s where it all fell down for the Dutchman. His final touch, whether that was a pass, cross, or shot, was invariably either the wrong option or a poorly executed one.
Indeed, Castelen has had eight shots in two games, with only three hitting the target. It looks even worse for Piovaccari and Sotirio, who have had six and four shots respectively with the big Italian striker only hitting the target once.
Sotirio, the left-sided flier, has got into some great positions and particularly gave Jack Hingert a working over in the first half at Wanderland, but he did not once test either Michael Theo or John Hall.
The Wanderers’ lack of front third efficiency doesn’t make great reading, especially when stacked up against Sydney FC skipper Alex Brosque, who has produced a goal and an assist, with three of his four shots on target so far.
Even Filip Holosko, who played just over an hour in the season opener, hit the target with his two efforts, and already has a goal to his name.
If Tony Popovic was looking to measure Sotirio up against anyone in terms of goals and assists, he might look to the Brisbane Roar’s Brandon Borello.
While they feature on opposite flanks, Sotirio left and Borello right, they are of a similar age and both considered fairly raw in terms of their technical attributes, with pace and physicality arguably their biggest assets at this stage of their careers.
While Borello has played 30 games compared to Sotirio’s 14, he has already shown he has an eye for goal, his brace against the Central Coast Mariners on the weekend reward for his direct approach and willingness to find and execute a shot.
With the derby in mind, another one to compare Sotirio to is Chris Naumoff, also 20.
Naumoff has already amassed over 30 A-League and FFA Cup games and is starting to find the consistency as a front third influencer.
Over the next 10 to 15 games, Popovic will aim to build Sotirio so he has a finishing touch to go with the electric pace.
Meanwhile, Castelen does suffer a bit in comparison to his excellent right-sided predecessors Youssouf Hersi, such a constant influencer not only in terms of goals and assists, but in that he set the team’s pressing tempo with his non-stop hussle.
Castelen’s defensive game is far less effective than Hersi’s, which places a greater emphasis on him being more influential as a goals and assists provider.
Encouragingly, at least, he has looked more consistent as a go-to in the past two games than he did all of last season, when he had an interrupted start with injuries.
For the Wanderers to make an impression not only on Saturday, but for the season, much will hinge on the goals and assists of the imports Castelen and Piovaccari.
The big Italian got into some great goal-scoring positions against the Roar and really should have bagged a brace, but he was far less evident in Adelaide.
Asked to start the Wanderers press by Popovic, Piovaccari has worked hard, but still appears to be struggling for full condition. Either that or the non-stop pressing just isn’t his go.
Not really a comfortable dribbler, it appears he will be used as a bouncing-board, asked to batter opposition defences and dish the ball out to either Mitch Nichols or the two wide men, then get on the end of the resultant delivery.
Hitherto there has been very little connection up front.
Nichols has proved throughout his career that when he is switched on and focused he can be a very effective running number 10.
When he’s not been in the mood, he’s the last bloke you want around the place.
Popovic appears to have him in the right head-space at the moment, and at least has one part of his front third puzzle in place.
Dario Vidosic is being eased into condition from the bench, and when he and Mark Bridge are deemed fully fit, Popovic will at least have a couple more experienced options.
Whether the derby comes too soon for both to get a start remains to be seen. Either way, it’s likely that front third connection would have been a big focus at training this week.
At least Popovic can take some confidence heading in that his side managed to control much of the proceedings in Adelaide, and created chances in both games.
The Wanderers look far more competitive and functional than they did for most of last season, but the pressure will only intensify until they are able to click up front.
While their passing accuracy isn’t quite up there with Sydney’s Milos Dimitrijevic and Milos Ninkovic, the two Wanderers Spanish midfielders, Dimas Delgado and Andreu, appear to have added a calm to the Wanderers build-up.
Based on FFA Cup evidence, compatriot Alberto will only add to the calm when he returns from injury to slot into central defence.
The Wanderers haven’t kept a clean sheet in their past 15 games and have won only once in their past 15 away games, but the signs were much better on both fronts in Adelaide.
Sydney, meanwhile, have won three of the past four derbies (the other was drawn) and have a terrific record at home in recent times, and deserve to head into this latest edition as the favourites.
But with the often shaky Jacques Faty about, the Wanderers should get their chances, and if the likes of Castelen, Piovaccari and Sotirio can somehow find that final ball, they’re in with a sniff.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Game officially sold out. Shame they haven't opened up the members area for additional ticket sales. Maybe they're expecting a decent number of SCGT folk to turn up. Surely they should be too busy getting sleep before the RWC semis :P
Justin Thighm
Roar Guru
90% of football experts correctly predict 87% of things that never actually happened on a football field, while 20% of respondents thought the new brighter packaging was effective, even though 33% of those sampled did not have an opinion. The Bell Curve 95% Confidence Interval is predicting a 72% chance of a goal being scored sometime during an A-League game this weekend and 30% of respondents who do not regularly attend A-League matches thought that illegal drugs and sport don't mix. On the other hand, I am predicting a Sky Blues victory 3-1 and some deeper consternation for the Popovic led coaching team at the Wanderers, although 72% of state health experts recommend consuming excessive amounts of alcohol whilst watching Wellington Phoenix. But the omega-3 Faty acids at the heart of the Sydney FC defence will reduce cholesterol by up to 73%, reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes by 32% and will make you live longer, claims Graham Arnold from Making Dreams Come True Inc., the world's largest producer of Californian Sugar Coated Shelled Walnuts.
Ralph Milne's underpants
Guest
Nichols does this at the start of every spell at a new club. Raises hopes before vanishing in games, then from games, then from the club. Mitch Nichols Syndrome
Josh
Guest
Oh yeah Sasa who likes to hit other players in the head... who also holds a membership to WSW for some unknown reason.
Batou
Guest
Yeah, that one surprised me Josh. Faty has made the odd mistake but I'd definitely not call him 'often shaky.' In general he's reliable. All central defenders make the odd mistake, especially when they are put under pressure. It would be nice to have Sasa Ogenovski for this one though, he always fired up for the derbies:)
Batou
Guest
Not sure about your predictions for the game but you've nailed the post game discussion here. You could probably throw in some arguments about the red cards/lack of red cards with a group of people claiming that a player should have been sent off because (in their completely objective assessment) it was unsafe/off side/last man/some other rule that isn't actually a rule and another bunch objectively reasoning that he shouldn't have been sent off for whatever reasons. Completely coincidentally the outraged crowd will happen to be supporters of the opposing team (but would feel the same way if one of their players did the same thing of course) and the defending crowd will happen to be supporters of the offending player's team. Definitely also a thread of juvenile arguments about which supporters were the best/loudest/sang for 90 minutes even when their team was behind. It is the derby after all...
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
"For the sake of our club im hoping he doesnt resort back to his old self" Don't shoot the messenger..but don't hold your breath... I seriously doubt it IMO.. If kev couldn't reach the petulant little turd, then popa (with *his* reputation that precedes him as a "man manager") who tends to rule with an iron fist, has little hope.. It's all about whether mitch has decided to grow up unfortunately.. No more no less..
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
He's on his best behavior atm, he has a reputation that precedes him after all.. Just wait.., he'll go flying into a tantrum sooner or later...and he'll walk..or be pushed...only to come back with his tail between his legs and join ccm or jets (I think they're the only clubs left that he hasn't played for). IMO It's not about the size of his engine, it's the fact that it's his car, and if he doesn't get his way, he won't drive it.
Post hoc
Guest
can't disagree
Post hoc
Guest
You haven't been watching Mitch at all for the Wanderers have you. The comments have been pretty universal that he is running the whole game, they are amazed at how big his engine is.
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
"Mitch Nichols is Mitch Nichols. Plays in spurts, always looks knackered." Not to mention the most punchable face. Great player.. Even greater sook.. Only a matter of time before he sulks his way out if his current contract. "-Then the TV ratings. -Then the throwing of a flare. -Then the media’s reporting of said incident.”Sockah being persecuted”(Fuss): “they report what they see. The AFL get it worse” (AR) -Finally a 3 round comparison of attendances, which will go on for 50 posts. JB plus AR v the world. Oh God" Looool
Ralph Milne's underpants
Guest
Agree 100% dinoweb. You have perfectly described "Mitch Nichols Syndrome: btw :)
cm
Guest
"where is bridge" "questioning whether he still exists" -marron
Kaks
Roar Guru
I believe Bridgey is not 100% yet
AZ_RBB
Guest
"So it’s a bit similar to Bridge syndrome then…" Where is the great man? Haven't seen him in a while.
cm
Guest
So it's a bit similar to Bridge syndrome then...
Kaks
Roar Guru
I will remain optimistic about Nichols because he is now a more mature player, so hopefully he has learnt a bit on his travels. But I am well aware of his history with his consistency. For the sake of our club im hoping he doesnt resort back to his old self
dinoweb
Roar Guru
As a Roar fan, Nichols has to be the most frustrating player ever to pull on an orange jersey. When he was good, he was fantastic, when he wasn't he was worst on the pitch. It just seems that something about his mental attitude has never been quite right. I always thought he was a frustrated striker, always willing to get well forward and shoot whenever he had the mearest sight of goal, and I think Poppa is the first coach to really recognize this. He seems to have Mitch playing in a much more aggressive role. Remembering the high hopes most Roar fans had for him when he first came on the scene, I sincerely hope Poppa can finally get him consistently playing to his full potential, something a string of other coaches and clubs have so far failed to do.
Ralph Milne's underpants
Guest
You are all victims of what is known as "Mitch Nichols Syndrome". Symptoms; initial anxiety, followed by brief euphoria (currently) which turns into questioning whether he still exists, and finally sad resignation that he is indeed a spurter who fails to influence games :) Let's hope he finally becomes the player we want. But I doubt it
Kaks
Roar Guru
Sotirio aggravates me, nothing annoys me more than a winger who plays with his head down all.the.bloody.time.