Wanderers Drop From Top 6

[mack]

The Western Sydney Wanderers dropped out of the A-League Finals race after suffering a 2-1 defeat at home to Melbourne City tonight.

The Wanderers were looking for revenge for their 7-0 drubbing at the hands of Melbourne City earlier in the season with a spot in the top 6 all but assured for the winner. City came out on top with a first half brace followed by a stoic second half defensive play that the bright spark of Marcus Younis & Dylan Scicluna couldn't break down.

Melbourne City backed up with the same squad from their record breaking 8-0 demolition of Perth Glory the week prior, while the Wanderers continued to miss Nicolas Milanovic & Lachlan Brook to international duty while also losing Brandon Borrello to injury in their 2-1 losing effort in the Sydney Derby.

The Wanderers made a decent start, with Zac Sapsford setting up a free kick on the right wing from a cynical foul by Vicente Fernandez that saw him pick up an early yellow card. City managed to scramble away the resulting set piece opportunity. Melbourne City setup a good opportunity for Marin Jakolis, he chested down a lob into the box that he was onside, but he was put off by the cover defence just enough that he dragged his shot wide.

City took the lead with an assist from Marcelo. Leo Natel isolated Aidan Simmons, beat him with a simple cut inside onto his right foot and smashed the ball toward goal, saw it take a flick off the Wanderers Captain and beat the dive of Thomas ar the far post.

Sapsford could have pulled the Wanderers level shortly after, Pierias had made a number of attacking raids down the right flank and another one let him find Oscar Priestman who laid it off for Sapsford, his shot at the near post was saved well by Jamie Young. Jack Clisby was in the right place at the right time when Jamie Maclaren and Jakolis combined, the cross into the 6 yard box would have given Maclaren a golden chance if not for Clisby coming across as late cover to nod it away.

Jakolis missed his earlier chance but he was given a saloon passage into the 18 yard box to score his 2nd goal of the season and City's 2nd of the game. Starting with non-existent pressure on Jamie Young, the Wanderers invisible midfield allowed their opponents to quickly pass it up field, then to let Jakolis run with the ball from 30 yards out. He strode into the box without challenge, Alex Bonetig ignored the golden rule of defending and ran away from the man with the ball for a phantom run to his left, leaving Jakolis to slowly shuffle inside the box, square up and shoot with Marcelo's attempted block not soon enough to stop it from hitting the side netting to make it 2-0 with 5 minutes left to play in the half, a score line which remained until the break.

While it was not quite "season on the line" yet, there was an imperative to make a change and Marko Rudan hooked Marcus Antonsson and Bonetig with Younis and Nathan Barrie on in like for like positional substitutions. The changes did little to improve the situation, with Josh Brillante having a long range strike the crowd was momentarily excited for before Young swatted it away. City went to the bench before the hour mark, Leo Natel making away after his goal-scoring effort with Harry Politidis coming on. Dylan Scicluna came on for Simmons.

Melbourne City paid the price for lazy wing defence as they allowed the two Red & Black substitutes to combine to draw a goal back. Scicluna was left in an acre of space on the sideline and he launched a curling cross to the back of the penalty area, Younis arrived on the edge of the 6 yard box, heading back and across the keeper, 2-1 to the Wanderers with 20 to play. Milos Ninkovic and Nathaniel Blair were the final substitutions for the Wanderers as Sapsford & Sonny Kittel left. Terry Antonis & Max Caputo entered for City as they took off Tolgay Arslan and Mathew Leckie to introduce fresh legs for the final 10 minutes.

Younis and Ninkovic both had chances, Younis with two attempts after cutting back onto his right and striking hard & fast but not being able to beat Younis or curl it into the far side. Ninkovic was almost through on goal in the 86th minute, but just as he pulled the trigger he was closed down and had his shot blocked. City used their final window following the shot, the substitute Politidis coming off in a tactical switch with former Wanderer Alessandro Lopane after only a half-hour and Curtis Good on to shore up the defence. The Wanderers continued to push for a vital equaliser, they prodded and probed with Ninkovic, eventually a snapshot from Younis was created but his shot hit the bar in an agonising fashion for the home supporters with 6 minutes of stoppage time given by the fourth official.

In the 95th minute City gave away a free kick not far out from their penalty area. With even Lawrence Thomas going up for the set piece Jack Clisby elected to shoot at goal but couldn't get it past the wall. After a series of crosses & rebounds it fell for Ninkovic but he turned out to be in an offside position and it was the final chance of the game. Melbourne City took the 3 points with their first half goals enough to get past a Wanderers team that lacked attacking inspiration until Younis & Scicluna arrived on the scene.

Western Sydney left too big a hole to pull themselves out from, giving up their 6th place position, with reclamation of the last finals spot now requiring a win against Melbourne Victory in the final round and for Melbourne City to then lose or draw on Sunday. A loss or draw could see the team finish as low as 7th pending result for Brisbane & Adelaide. In addition to being a potential final game as a professional before Ninkovic retires, it might also be the difference between Marko Rudan continuing into a 4th year in charge or the club having to look for yet another manager to try and turn the club around.

The Wanderers next match is their final game of the regular season, against Melbourne Victory in Melbourne with kick-off on Saturday the 27th with kick-off at 7:45pm.

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[braad]

Utttttttter trash again for about 80% of the match.

 

something needs to change

[sonar]

Another season nearly done and another season of disappointment.

Ah Well....it is what it is.

We pay the price for gutting a good squad.

If Rudan stays I can see another mass cleanout coming. It isn't good. It has to stop....but will it.?

By god we are a basket case aren't we.

[StringerBellend]

Clisby totally useless metres in front of him of space, pass the ball to the opposition 

Kittel couldn't look less arsed about football if he turned up with no boots pt shinnies 

[mack]

4 minutes ago, EmMac said:

So is that bye bye season?

It's no longer up to us, except that we play first before City so we can at least put the pressure on them instead of it being killed if City played first & won.

If we lose or draw we're out even if City lose to Western United.

If we win and City lose, we're in.

If we win and City draw, we go through on the Games Won tiebreaker.

If we win and City win, we're out.

[EmMac]

12 minutes ago, mack said:

It's no longer up to us, except that we play first before City so we can at least put the pressure on them instead of it being killed if City played first & won.

If we lose or draw we're out even if City lose to Western United.

If we win and City lose, we're in.

If we win and City draw, we go through on the Games Won tiebreaker.

If we win and City win, we're out.

Thanks. Soooo... one more week of torture . Got it 

[pseudonym]

(sigh) - left it too late again to have a crack at the City defence.

Too much side to side passing in the first half which invited pressure from City and gave them the space to take the shots that went in the back of the net.

I'll renew my membership but have lost faith that we'll ever win a trophy

[nmh94]

50 minutes ago, sonar said:

 

We pay the price for gutting a good squad..

I am so sick of this!!! No club, No culture without having some attachment to the players. 

[Nathg]

Brillante I don’t think played a single ball forward except for his shot from outside the box. Such negativity, he can’t create anything or link up well with those around him. How things could have been if we kept Bozanic.

[StringerBellend]

Took us to the 70th odd minute to play the ball forward 

But let's face it we were total **** today and have been for weeks

[scarcev]

Don’t care about the result hopefully not making finals will be the back of Rudan.  
 

What is Younis’ contract situation?  Not just the talent but he plays like he bleeds WSW which is unusual in this squad. 

[scarcev]

Anyone going to watch us get pumped by Victory next week (although it would be on brand to knock them off and still miss out) let me know if you want tix.  Got two here not being used.  In stand above active area.  No charge, just going is punishment enough.  

[Davo]

1 hour ago, mack said:

It's no longer up to us, except that we play first before City so we can at least put the pressure on them instead of it being killed if City played first & won.

If we lose or draw we're out even if City lose to Western United.

If we win and City lose, we're in.

If we win and City draw, we go through on the Games Won tiebreaker.

If we win and City win, we're out.

Clearly the funniest outcome would be for us to win, City to draw, and us to finish ahead of them with equal points and a double digit goal difference deficit.

[Sithslayer1991]

Younis in those 45 minute finally showed me how good he can be. He hadn't really showed it this season. But then its hard when Milanovic and Brook are the main starters. I think mid season Rudan was favouring Badolato who I am still not 100% on. However Pierias is taking up a spot. If you have Sapsford and Younis then no need for Pierias is there.

If we were to recruit next season I would be looking at a CB, LB, a Dm and AM. 

[nmh94]

So sick of all of this discussion. Just give me 11 loyal guys who want to put in for the jersey, and what will be will be. If one of them is good enough for Europe then we replace with another who wants to put in.

[WHACKO]

We need an attacking midfielder that we can get excited about.

As well as a striker that can score 12 or more goals. 

We also need a coach that has more than plan A.

Edited April 20 by WHACKO

[Edinburgh]

1 hour ago, scarcev said:

Anyone going to watch us get pumped by Victory next week (although it would be on brand to knock them off and still miss out) let me know if you want tix.  Got two here not being used.  In stand above active area.  No charge, just going is punishment enough.  

@andypk if you are still thinking of going? 

[StringerBellend]

59 minutes ago, Sithslayer1991 said:

Younis in those 45 minute finally showed me how good he can be. He hadn't really showed it this season. But then its hard when Milanovic and Brook are the main starters. I think mid season Rudan was favouring Badolato who I am still not 100% on. However Pierias is taking up a spot. If you have Sapsford and Younis then no need for Pierias is there.

If we were to recruit next season I would be looking at a CB, LB, a Dm and AM. 

That Rudan has kept Pieraras in the team over Younis and to a lesser degree Badalato shows how clueless he is 

Pieraras today has 20m space and managed to put the ball out for a goal kick 

[StringerBellend]

45 minutes ago, WHACKO said:

We need an attacking midfielder that we can get excited about.

As well as a striker that can score 12 or more goals. 

We also need a coach that has more than plan A.

There is a plan A?

[scarcev]

1 hour ago, WHACKO said:

We need an attacking midfielder that we can get excited about.

As well as a striker that can score 12 or more goals. 

We also need a coach that has more than plan A.

Why? We don’t need any midfield we just lob it over the top from the back. 

[Unlimited]

Ninkovic was a game changer 

We let City have the midfield and I’ve seen that sort of structure before with the Matilda’s. Basically just stack the front line and then hit it to a winger to cross.

It works if you have players like Catley, Foord, Fowler, Kerr, etc.

Doesn’t work too well with our players.

once Ninkovic came on and we actually played it through the middle, we got a lot more dangerous

[StringerBellend]

2 minutes ago, Unlimited said:

Ninkovic was a game changer 

We let City have the midfield and I’ve seen that sort of structure before with the Matilda’s. Basically just stack the front line and then hit it to a winger to cross.

It works if you have players like Catley, Foord, Fowler, Kerr, etc.

Doesn’t work too well with our players.

once Ninkovic came on and we actually played it through the middle, we got a lot more dangerous

When did we hit it to a winger and cross?

We played it backwards and sideways anywhere but forward on the few occasions we did get the ball forward Sotirio ran it out for a goal kick.

Younis changed the game as he actually can play football 

[braad]

14 minutes ago, StringerBellend said:

When did we hit it to a winger and cross?

We played it backwards and sideways anywhere but forward on the few occasions we did get the ball forward Sotirio ran it out for a goal kick.

Younis changed the game as he actually can play football 

Well, the goal

[Upthehill]

I was on a plane. Do I bother with the highlights? Sounds like the full thing was a bit of a bust.

[SNS100]

Younis is the only one that looks like a decent player in our whole squad. 

[Upthehill]

Just now, SNS100 said:

Younis is the only one that looks like a decent player in our whole squad. 

Whilst Milanovic has had some ugly patches, that kids is a footballer.

Priestman, Sapsford, Badolato and Simmons will all get there. And dont forget how good tate was in long stretches before his ACL injury. Our current crop of kids is obliterating the NPL, they will come good. And guys like Hendrix could be a base for a long term stable squad. Also getting rid of Antonsson and getting Borello back to being a lone striker like last season will be a huge step forward.

I strongly believe our issue right now is our ownership. Lederer has basically gotten every decision wrong since taking over club (someone for the love of god prove me wrong because I can't think of one). I dont think the answer is burning half the squad and starting again

[MathyouWSW]

23 minutes ago, Upthehill said:

I was on a plane. Do I bother with the highlights? Sounds like the full thing was a bit of a bust.

It rained a bit...

...and that's about it.

[StringerBellend]

16 minutes ago, Upthehill said:

Whilst Milanovic has had some ugly patches, that kids is a footballer.

Priestman, Sapsford, Badolato and Simmons will all get there. And dont forget how good tate was in long stretches before his ACL injury. Our current crop of kids is obliterating the NPL, they will come good. And guys like Hendrix could be a base for a long term stable squad. Also getting rid of Antonsson and getting Borello back to being a lone striker like last season will be a huge step forward.

I strongly believe our issue right now is our ownership. Lederer has basically gotten every decision wrong since taking over club (someone for the love of god prove me wrong because I can't think of one). I dont think the answer is burning half the squad and starting again

You are joking about Tate aren't you? 

[Upthehill]

1 minute ago, StringerBellend said:

You are joking about Tate aren't you? 

Post ACL? Dumpster fire. Before his ACL? He had plenty in attack but definitely needed work in defence, nothing unsual from an 18yo. But since the injury I've seen more from traffic cones on the side of the M4

[StringerBellend]

11 minutes ago, Upthehill said:

Post ACL? Dumpster fire. Before his ACL? He had plenty in attack but definitely needed work in defence, nothing unsual from an 18yo. But since the injury I've seen more from traffic cones on the side of the M4

He can't trap or pass a ball, that's nothing to do with the ACL injury.