They say hindsight is 20-20, but given the lack of atmosphere at their new home ground, the Western Sydney Wanderers must be questioning the wisdom of moving to Spotless Stadium.
Sharing a point with the Mariners on Saturday night is the least of Western Sydney’s problems.
Central Coast should have won the game – firstly when Connor Pain clipped the post, secondly after they were denied a cast-iron penalty – as the Wanderers ended up taking just two points from back-to-back home fixtures.
Is it any surprise that their limp start has coincided with the move to their temporary new home?
The Wanderers may have attracted a reasonable crowd of just over 12,000 to the game on Saturday night, but with the fans sitting so far from the pitch, they’ve lost the home ground advantage they had in Parramatta.
Why did the Wanderers move to Spotless Stadium anyway?
Was it because they needed to sell numbered seats to the Red and Black Bloc, despite the fact Western Sydney’s most passionate fans stand behind the goal?
Was it because the transport links to Homebush are considered superior to alternative grounds like Penrith Stadium or Belmore Oval?
Or was it because, having named ANZ Stadium as the venue for a couple of blockbuster fixtures, the Wanderers wanted to keep all of their games in the one precinct?
No doubt Wanderers officials will argue Spotless Stadium offers superior corporate facilities, but with the fans sitting miles from the pitch, they’ve seriously diluted the atmosphere at their games.
It wouldn’t be such a problem if more than 20,000 fans turned out, but the reality is that it’s Melbourne Victory – not the Wanderers – who can claim the biggest support in the league.
It’s all well and good having 18,000 members, but unless they actually attend, the Wanderers will continue to play in front of the sort of muted atmospheres we saw on Saturday night.
That’s not to blame the fans for the problem – they’re doing the best they can with the facilities they’ve got – and when their new home ground is completed, it will be the envy of every other club in the A-League.
Speaking of which, are we ever going to see some actual plans for the new Parramatta Stadium?
And why does the New South Wales government seem to defer to rugby league and the Parramatta Eels whenever the discussion comes up?
If the Wanderers play more games and draw bigger crowds than an Eels side happy to shop their fixtures around to ANZ Stadium, then shouldn’t the government at the very least be drawing up plans for safe standing to accommodate Wanderers fans?
It’s one thing to talk about moving into a new venue in three years, but it’s a bit of a worry when we have absolutely no idea what that venue will actually look like.
Melbourne City are in no need of a new stadium, although they desperately need a few more fans judging by the poor crowd that showed up for their entertaining 2-1 defeat of Adelaide United.
Tim Cahill was absent, but City showed they didn’t need him as Bruno Fornaroli turned on another masterclass of striking prowess.
The little Uruguayan must rank up there as one of the best foreign players to have ever graced Australian shores, and his Panenka penalty to seal victory summed up his outrageous talents.
Sydney FC kept up their unbeaten start to the season – and ruined my tips in the process – but the Newcastle Jets will clearly struggle this season if that’s the best attacking effort they can muster.
Meanwhile, Brisbane Roar can thank a neat Brandon Borrello finish for their 2-1 win over Perth Glory, although the Roar also suffer from playing in a cavernous home ground.
It just goes to show the benefit of playing in a proper football stadium.
The Wanderers will eventually have one – but they must rue playing out of Spotless Stadium in the meantime.
Reality Checker
Guest
They are not winning. That is why the atmosphere is not there.
Macho
Guest
Take it easy - Bob Brown is our "special" correspondent!! with factless obsessions
Macho
Guest
On a Saturday arvo - the NRL forum is full of whinging about Homebush
Macho
Guest
They were all WSW fans?? And the 60K who turned up to Swans v GWS at finals prices at ANZ was a mirage - Bob you need help!! My soccer friends are embarrassed by your comments
Macho
Guest
Of course Mike, the WSW has been near the top for 4 years and won the Asians Club championship as that ref should have and did retire after the game for not giving the opposition penalties and have no competition in the summer until the Big bash in Jan /Feb and have a multicultural fan base. Funny they didn't have a team there from the star.
Macho
Guest
Good subway and raw bile for Bob brown
Macho
Guest
Giants games are generally Saturday afternoon which the Super Rugby, A league and (until the northern AFL teams starting playing then) the NRL avoided because TV ratings were low and most people were out shopping or kids sports. So when NRL draw a pittance to Saturday arvo games (never held at SFS or other inner Sydney venues) everyone just says that's RL
Macho
Guest
"Melbourne was given the FFA Cup final because a Melbourne team is the current FFA Cup holder" Are you serious? What sort of criteria is that? It highlights that there are no criteria. So Melbourne City has leapt over the salary cap to get Cahill - as if the smaller centres had a chance?? I blame the Giants...
clipper
Guest
Yes - he used it 10.43 on 31/10.
Buddy
Guest
I reckon you nailed it! People are happiest when there is something to complain about and there is plenty to choose from so far. We didn't like the idea of Spotless or ANZ but still turn up. However, our solution is to get to more away games so we are doing two in a row now and will enjoy the experience no matter the result. I am hoping for a decent draw in the ACL too so that we have an excuse to travel away next year...Japan or Korea will suit us better, China seems a bit hostile!
AZ_RBB
Guest
I can get to Gosford quicker than I can get to Moore Park on an event day. Wouldn't be surprised if it was the same for most WSW fans. So you were actually seriously saying that we should play at the SFS? Wow ok. Campbelltown is not smack bang in WSW territory haha. It's on the very edge of the suburbs. About as feasible as playing in Katoomba. It works well for a community round game. People were going to complain no matter where we played. We were spoilt by the convenience and brilliance of Parramatta.
Aethelbert
Guest
If Popovic's tactics were any good at all he'd make the players he has work but he hasn't done that has he? Don't try and sell me an outhouse and call it the Taj Mahal here.
Sydneysider
Guest
Is Pip meant to be Pippinu? If so, that sounds like an Italian name.... I hope it isn't.
Sydneysider
Guest
Clipper is alright. I find you very equitable with your comments. I would say MF, Casper, Harry Houdini are mortal enemies with Nemesis, Fuss. MF's comments always have a tinge of condescension because he is an AFL supporter first and foremost and every other sport is miles behind.
clipper
Guest
I think pip refers to a poster who wasn't on Bob Brown's Christmas list.
clipper
Guest
Post_hoc - I have often commented about Football here and supported Football on other tabs, just like to keep it on an even kneel. Please let me know if anything I've stated is way out of line on this tab.
Post_hoc
Guest
Bob Wanderers play Victory at ANZ
Post_hoc
Guest
In fact the opposite, happy for you to come here and sicuss football, but all you do is denegrate it or talk about AFL and why is is better LOL. So this isn't a f off we are full but rather, please come and discuss football, but if you can't do that don't botehr coming. How hard is that for you to understand? BTW I'm from South West Sydney, don't lecture me on who has the right to come. My family is from all corners of the globe and I wouldnt have it anyother way
Post_hoc
Guest
Why do you come to a football tab and not talk about football? Bob Brown engages in football talk, he dicusses actual football games, Alice, Max and Clipper I have yet to see discuss anything related to football but rather only appear when AFL is mentioned. Why?
Sydneysider
Guest
Bob, who is this "Pip" guy you keep referring to??