With the A-League postponed, here’s a review of the Western United’s 2019-20 season.
United have made good strides in their inaugural season of A-League football. Although there have been bumps along the way, United have put in mostly solid performances throughout their first season and currently sit just inside the top six on goal difference in sixth.
Having won their past two games 6-2 and 5-1 before the season’s suspension, those results have displayed signs that the team can be a threat to the competition.
Season highlight: 1-0 win against Wellington Phoenix, Round 1
You only get once chance to make a first good impression, and United did that by claiming a 1-0 victory in their first A-League game against the Phoenix. Having left the Phoenix during the off-season to take the United coaching position, and taking Andrew Durante and Filip Kurto with him, Mark Rudan was not welcomed back to New Zealand, but ultimately had the last laugh.
Season low: 3-1 loss against Wellington Phoenix, Round 12
Having beaten the Phoenix in New Zealand in the opening round of the season, they couldn’t repeat that effort in Victoria. Hosting the first A-League game in Ballarat at Mars Stadium, they were beaten by the Phoenix, who won their fourth ever game in Victoria.
End of season bonus: Connor Pain
Back playing in Melbourne, Pain had a solid first season at United, playing as a winger. His two goals and four assists don’t reflect how important of a role Pain played. His link-up play and attacking pressure to set up attacking play was consistent throughout the season. A wage bonus would be nice recognition of his work.
(AAP Image/Sean Garnsworthy)
Chopping block: Alessandro Diamanti
This has nothing to do with the player’s quality. The veteran attacking midfielder has put in a good season, scoring five goals and assisting seven. However, at age 36, he’s no spring chicken. He’s coming to the end of his professional career. With the financial situation A-League clubs are faced with, moving him off the wage bill to cut costs would be a good move.
Season score: 8/10
Professional sporting clubs in Australia have been prone to being uncompetitive in their inaugural season. However United have done well in their first A-League season. The players have performed, and the manager Mark Rudan appears to be getting the best out of his players. If they make the finals, it will be a successful first season for Western United.
Doran Smith
Roar Guru
End of season bonus: Alessandro Diamanti Chopping block: Andrew Durante Season score: 7/10
fabian gulino
Roar Rookie
for a first season Western united have had a excellent season.they wil get better in future years to come.
Samuel Power
Roar Rookie
Has to be Knights Stadium. Whitten Oval wasn't too bad of a venue but it's an oval, same with Werribee. The Showgrounds only hold around 4,500 people, they'll be aiming for more people through the gates than that. They'd probably average around 6-7k at Knights Stadium which isn't too bad at all. Would also create electric atmosphere.
Nick Symonds
Guest
WU NEWS: https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/pandemic-preventing-western-united-from-tying-up-new-ground-share-deal-20200421-p54lru.html
Blood Dragon
Roar Rookie
the Nix were so much better then the Knights and only finished last on goal difference in that 1st season and have only finished last in one other season
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
They were a vast improvement on the NZ team they replaced. You could describe that first NZ team as uncompetitive, but you would not describe the Phoenix as uncompetitive in that first season.
Blood Dragon
Roar Rookie
Phoenix finished 8th/last in there 1st season but made the finals for the 1st time in there 3rd season
IJ
Roar Rookie
This club has been an utter waste of space. No identity. No home ground. Smoke and mirrors and a constantly changing story on their stadium build. A horrible mistake from FFA.
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
"Professional sporting clubs in Australia have been prone to being uncompetitive in their inaugural season." Not in the A-League. I can't think of a single team introduced to the A-League which was uncompetitive. Gold Coast United finished 3rd in their first two seasons. The wanderers won the premiership in their very first season, and played off in a grand final in their first two seasons. Even the Fury did ok in their debut season. So for Western United, as a debut season, perhaps sits below average in the context of the A-League.
Franko
Guest
What did these guys add to the league?
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
over rated, but for a first season probably agree an 8 I'm no fan of Rudan. Really don't think he has a big future, despite what some say.