Fans of the Western Sydney Wanderers must be fed up with the mass signings and significant departures that have been notable features of the club’s last few off-seasons.
Far-from-acceptable results have led to a broom being taken to both the playing roster and coaching staff in recent history and 2022 has been no different.
Bernie Ibini is gone, after just five goals in 46 A-Leagues matches, Dimi Petratos’ season-long deal is done as he returns to the Middle East, while Tomer Hemed, Tomas Mejias, Ziggy Gordon and Keijiro Ogawa all depart after completing the terms of their current contracts.
Phillip Cancar is off to Scotland, Steven Ugarkovic accepts a new challenge in Wellington, and Thomas Aquilina heads up the M1 to the Central Coast.
The promising Tass Mourdoukoutas will no longer be a Wanderer, setting the stage for yet another refashioning of a team that continues to flounder, and is without semi-final participation over the last five seasons.
During that time, the club has appointed six different full-time or caretaker coaches, won a paltry 38 matches from a total of 132 played, and – despite a decent period of success in Sydney Derbies, where they appeared to finally have Sydney FC’s measure – fans have had absolutely nothing to cheer about since, well, 2016!
All the while, supposed big names have been drawn to the club, with most misfiring and rarely producing the football that their reputations suggested they would.
Gone are the heady days of average attendances of around 15,000, the Red and Black Bloc is now splintered or absent and the league hoping that one of the most passionate and entertaining match day experiences is to one day return.
However, that will not occur without success on the field and after yet another clean-out of playing talent, Western Sydney have been most active in the player market, desperate to finally get their acquisitions right for the upcoming season.
Lawrence Thomas signed on in late May after a successful 56-game spell in Denmark and with one of the best Australian goalkeepers in the business heading to Wanderland, the club must at least be commended for coming up trumps in its search for a custodian.
Romain Amalfitano has obvious pedigree and with solid minutes in Saudi Arabia over recent seasons, arrives as a fit and in-form 32-year-old import, something that cannot be said of past Wanderer signings.
Exciting 23-year-old Kusini Yengi departs Adelaide to set up digs in Western Sydney, and after something of a frustrating recent period with the Sky Blues, Calem Nieuwenhof jumps ship in an attempt to guarantee himself consistent minutes and the chance to develop his game.
Kusini Yengi. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)
There are a couple of young players also added, with Western Sydney eyeing the future, yet it is the acquisition of Oliver Bozanic that could prove a game-changer.
His signing could well influence others still in negotiations to put pen to paper, such is his reputation and quality.
Along with Thomas and Amalfitano, the bones of a decent team are there. Ramy Najjarine and Keanu Baccus continue to develop and along with Yengi and Nieuwenhoff, could form the basis of a team capable of winning far more than the six matches they managed in season 2021-22.
Bozanic was simply superb on the Central Coast and the hole he leaves there is potentially the most difficult to fill in the A-League. It is a shame for all parties that things appeared to have ended in disharmony, yet the Wanderers will care little and be chuffed with the signing of the 33-year-old.
After a professional football journey that has taken him to 11 different clubs and seen three separate stints at the Mariners, Bozanic brings a cold stare, hardened professionalism, and a standard-setting approach, something that lifted the Mariners in tangible terms.
Many, me included, were not against the idea of his return to national colours over the last 12 months, with Bozanic’s form consistent and the depth of the playing stocks tested during the World Cup qualification campaign.
The Wanderers will be hoping they have purchased an exact replica of the Bozanic we have watched in admiration since his return to Australia in 2020.
Mark Rudan will demand that the rest of the squad follow his lead, emulate his effort, and kill off the rumours of apathy and uninterest that have circled the team in recent seasons.
Heaven knows, the Wanderers need that. There can only be so many squad reinventions and poor results that fans must put up with.
For Western Sydney, Oliver Bozanic may well be the circuit breaker.
Buddy
Roar Rookie
I'd say I'm a bit more than a fair weather fan. I've traveled to every city in Australia to support them, Wellington on numerous occasions and South Korea too. I'm not sure where I fit these days - I just like watching a different game than the one they have been churning out for quite a few seasons and I'm not in love with the way the club looks these days. I have to make do with Paramount supplemented with trips to the U.S.A to watch some MLS!
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Just admit your the fair weather fan, most Wanderers fans are like that and cheap as well, the expensive new stadium was always going to be an issue. The problem with Rudan is he shouts at young players only, lets seniors off the hook, he is also one of the key members of the ex Socceroos mafia despite hardly playing for them. Muscat is a bit different,he is a crawler off the field and thug planner on the field. He seems to form friends in the playing group, likes boozing it up and allows the team to do it in the dressing room. I dont seem him taking that part of him to Japan though especially following Ange, where they are a lot more disciplined and unlikely to want to hang out with him. At least with Muscat there, he would bring about some Adelaide style antics to the play.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
yeah, from what I have read, the management personnel at WU are not idiots, and I would put a fiver on it that there are performance clauses. They need to build a football club, and that means winning. If you dont cut the mustard, well it's been nice. If you want to question manager signings, why the heck did Sydney resign Corica, they can do sooooo much better. Corica is overrated.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
If the previous coach failed then if you win the title with their squad thats a big achievement. Not that Aloisi didnt bring in players. Aloisi from what I have seen his modus of operandi is do well at a club then start the dodgy proceedings once he is locked in on the contract like Mourinho maybe to get payed out. We will see what Aloisi does now. Did he genuinely believe his aging strikers the Maltese and Italian one near 40 were going to produce the goods. If Western United have structured the contract well and he gets a big bonus for winning the title and gets sacked if he doesnt make the six then maybe he will perform this time. If its a contract three years in length with no sacking clauses then be very worried.
Dennis
Guest
Ninko has already said he is staying in Sydney. I would say that rules out CCM. Would he play in front of 1500 at Campbelltown? Again probably not. Ray Gatt who reports on soccer and writes for The Australian reports on Twitter that Ninko has already signed for another club. The longer this runs the more certain he is off to Parramatta.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
And Bozanic may attract others because of the flowing, incisive, passing football he plays.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
oh really! that is very interesting indeed. And absolutely plausable. For Sydney to re-engage Ninko, due to a whole bunch of failured recruiting attempts, it’s a bit demeaning. When a club says “yeah you’re too old now, and we dont need you any more” and then a few weeks later come and say “would you consider coming back, because all the lads that were going to take your place dont want to play for us”. I would not be surprised if Ninko was filthy on Sydney and thought, ” Bugger this, I’ll approach WSW about a senior player’s position (coming off the bench) and a potential pathway into coaching.” If that is the case, any sideline tanty you have seen Corica chuck in the pass, will pale into insignificance if Ninko signs with WSW.
Dennis
Guest
And it maybe that one of the others is Ninkovic. Sydney FC released last night that he has left. Now where does he land? Is it a year playing and then assistant coach at WSW? RBTV has already broadcast last night on this.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
And Jets sign Rene Piscopo!!!! Yeah baby, bring that on. Watch out lads Newy is coming for ya!!!
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Now you're talking Para
Para+Ten ISUZU Subway support Australian Football
Roar Rookie
FiL, and I can't believe I left out Jamie Young, the keeper. He was just about the best performing keeper of the season. Now that is what you would call a complete new spine for a new rebuilt team.
Buddy
Roar Rookie
he's already been there a few years back - please not again!
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Thanks Stu, it's great to be back. As one of my good mates said, "Covid got into the ring with the wrong bloke". You have to admit though, there was a glaring absence of an onfield general for WSW last season. As much as will be laid to rest many decades from now with my Jets shirt, I really want to see WSW get there house back in order and start shaking up the status quo.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Fair point. Very different to the year on year wholesale changes in Western Sydney.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
That's a decent snapshot and Rudan does appear to come with some baggage, serious attitude and expectation. Did well with Wellington and I feel he might be the man a club needs when a backs against the wall situation presents itself. Something tells me he and Bozanic might work a treat.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Well said FIL and may I also express my sincere relief that you are back to better health. I read with interest your beautiful post the other day and was moved. COVID 0 FIL 1. Well done mate.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
I'm leaning that way as well. Bozanic a KEY signing. If he nabs two or three others with similar work ethic. WSW might well be on the way back.
NoMates
Roar Rookie
With a tight Budget Rudan does well, with a open wallet he is average at best. However he is selecting the squad he needs and guys he knows he can coach. Ill give good old snake the benefit of the doubt and reckon he will get this WSW side into the top 6.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Concur in that the last couple of years have proven that when you give the young lads an opportunity, they take it with both hands. On the other side of the coin though, do you think Sydney have any conscience about pillaging other teams. From where I am standing it would appear they have none. They wanted to loot, plunder and piilage Newy, and they would do it to anyone else without batting and eyelid. That's part of the reason i have so much respect for AU. Your production line of players is commendable to say the least.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
that's what I am trying to say. You need a leader in the centre of defence, you need a midfield leader and you need out and out goal hungry snipers up front.