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  • Showground Curse Lifted Against Nix

    mack

    By mack

    The Western Sydney Wanderers cemented their hold on 6th place & the last final series place with a comfortable 3-1 win over Wellington Phoenix, for a first win at the Sydney Showground.

    Wellington looked like they were still in the warmup early in the game, and the Wanderers took advantage for Nico Martinez to open the scoring. Scott Neville & Mitch Nichols kept the ball alive with a back & forth, Neville had to slide in with a challenge, fortunately it rolled across the penalty area to Martinez who shot first time on his right foot sending the ball into the bottom corner.

    The visitors had a decent half hour following the goal but they copped a goal from Wanderers legend Brendon Santalab. Nichols broke down the left wing, strode in towards goal before providing Santalab with a simple pass at the edge of the penalty area. Santalab cut the ball back on his left foot then blasted his shot through the hands of Moss for.

    After half-time Santalab had his brace, and became the Wanderers outright leading scorer, Jack Clisby's cross to the far post was found by Martinez, he took a touch then lofted the ball back into the 6 yard box, Santalab attacked the ball, slamming a header for the Wanderers 3rd goal.

    Gui Finkler gave Wellington a glimmer of hope with a 76th minute free kick, Aspro was lucky not to have given away a penalty with another example of holding at a set piece, Finkler didn't need to be on the penalty spot, beaten Janjetovic with his sublime technique. The two goal deficit proved too much, as Wellington's effort fizzled out without making too much trouble for the Wanderers defence.

    Western Sydney face Melbourne City in a key match as they head into the final series, and will need a comprehensive victory to give their supporters real hope that they can go all the way to the Grand Final.

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    DanButler

    Had to record the game and watch it later.

     

    RBB sounded amazing on TV. Great job!

     

    Can't really comment on crows numbers cause I wasn't there

     

    Jumpei was so frustrating! Even more so than Castelan because he loses the ball earlier. At least Castelan would beat the man and then fire the ball into the side netting.

     

    Everyone else was solid. Amazing effort by Clisby after playing the whole game against Seoul. Nico grew into the game and Antonis was quality as usual. Even Nichols seemed to be a bit better on the ball.

     

    Keep playing like that and we might actually make it to another grand final :o

    Link to comment
    SBW

    Starting our best players has helped a lot.

     

    Antonis = boss

    Baccus = improving every game

    Nico = his touches are just sexual

    Santa =as always immense

    Link to comment
    Smoggy

    Also someone was asking about the crowd - I'm pretty sure it was 7818

     

    Not great, I was missing in action yesterday, the lad was away on camp and I had to go and pick him up at 6, was still on the road when the game kicked off, but was home for most of it, we will be back this Friday though.

     

    Much more zip and energy about the side the last few games which is great to see, hope we can maintain that. Much less backwards and sideways passing and lethargic play without Dimas in the middle, he may struggle to get back in to the side when he returns, he is heading towards the ACL squad with Borda I think.

     

    Santa how the highest goal scorer for WSW, just nudged ahead of Bridge which is great, congrats to him. Antonis is a good addition to the squad and becoming a more important player for us by the game I think, the more he gets involved the more creativity and movement comes. Clisby ran all night long, actually I don't think he stopped running all last week!

     

    Jumpei is a poor mans Casta, can't fault his effort last night but zero composure in front of goal. Aspro needs to stop having brains farts towards the end of games and handing sides lifelines back and putting us under unnecessary pressure, challenge that lead to Finkler's goal not needed, he is a great player and will learn though so no worries there at all from me.

     

    Looking forward to getting back this Friday....all about momentum from here on and hitting the finals in form. Need to prove we can beat City and Victory in the coming weeks as both would stand in the way come the finals I suspect, finish the season strong.

    Edited by WSWBoro
    Link to comment
    smp

    My bay usually has lots of families in it. I think I saw two other families apart from me and my boys. Lots of other ring-ins who probably spied empty seats from their GA spot and wandered on in.

     

    Given how painfully slow my boys were this morning getting ready for school and childcare, I don't blame parents for not taking the kids to a Sunday night game. I always regret it the next day.

    Link to comment
    wswtragic

    Were are all our fans gone

     

     

    Jumpei frustrates the **** out of me he looks like a Japanese international sometimes till he gets in the box

     

    How bout that sotiro lookin like Mathew Leckie hey

    Last night was one of Jumpei's better games. He lacks instinct inside 18, but until he started to tire he actually made inroads and pulled their line around more than he has done before. He also tried hard in defence (even though he's only about 5' tall and gets bossed too easily).

     

    It was the first genuine team effort for ages - they knew their roles and played like it for the entire first half. And I'll guarantee we had more shots in this one game than the entire season so far.

     

    I'm an optimist, but it's a great time to start a run of form ....

    Were are all our fans gone

     

     

    Jumpei frustrates the **** out of me he looks like a Japanese international sometimes till he gets in the box

     

    How bout that sotiro lookin like Mathew Leckie hey

    Last night was one of Jumpei's better games. He lacks instinct inside 18, but until he started to tire he actually made inroads and pulled their line around more than he has done before. He also tried hard in defence (even though he's only about 5' tall and gets bossed too easily).

     

    It was the first genuine team effort for ages - they knew their roles and played like it for the entire first half. And I'll guarantee we had more shots in this one game than the entire season so far.

     

    I'm an optimist, but it's a great time to start a run of form ....

    Link to comment
    sonar

    We are on track to at least make a finals appearance this year and I hope the disenchanted fans who have not turned up for whatever reason, DO turn up for our remaining home games as we will be playing away if we make the finals, I would like to think we could send a message to the guys that as fans we ARE behind them and supporting them even though a lot of those fans hate SOP.

     

    I went to the last derby game at ANZ thinking we could beat ESFC and we did, the only side to do it so far this season. I still think that we can go all the way and win a GF and give the ACL a shake as well.regardless of some of our results this year, I still think we are the side that the other teams will not want to play in a final.

    Edited by sonar100
    Link to comment
    Smoggy

    We are on track to at least make a finals appearance this year and I hope the disenchanted fans who have not turned up for whatever reason, DO turn up for our remaining home games as we will be playing away if we make the finals, I would like to think we could send a message to the guys that as fans we ARE behind them and supporting them even though a lot of those fans hate SOP.

     

    I went to the last derby game at ANZ thinking we could beat ESFC and we did, the only side to do it so far this season. I still think that we can go all the way and win a GF and give the ACL a shake as well.regardless of some of our results this year, I still think we are the side that the other teams will not want to play in a final.

     

    This Friday and the game against Victory will go someway to showing how the finals games might shape up. Unbeaten until the end of the season should be the target now, that is how we need to go in to the finals...I don't want to be scraping in to 6th spot from here, need to power on and get some real momentum going... if serious about winning the GF from here then no more defeats for the entire remainder of the regular HAL and of course the finals part, and get practicing spot kicks...

    Edited by WSWBoro
    Link to comment
    KGee

    We are on track to at least make a finals appearance this year and I hope the disenchanted fans who have not turned up for whatever reason, DO turn up for our remaining home games as we will be playing away if we make the finals, I would like to think we could send a message to the guys that as fans we ARE behind them and supporting them even though a lot of those fans hate SOP.

     

    I've been clear on this.  My youngest son has missed both games on Sunday at 7pm because for one they don't kick off as advertised and two it's school night.  I've never brought him to a school night game.  He's too young.  I'll repeat it until I'm blue in the face.  My objection and sometime absenteeism from games which I dislike given the money I'm throwing away is due to the over prevalence of late games.  As a family with young kids we'll put up with the late games as long as there is a relatively balanced mix.  Give and take.  This year it's all take and fk you.  This season has shown that the FFA and clubs have completely caved in to Foxtel with the scheduling where we've had next to none on earlier and games have shifted from the 5pm and 7:30pm slots to later again.  Look at the crowds and think back to Parra.  It was packed with families and that is the core of our crowd in reality.  They've completely alienated them and getting a family to return is a tougher ask than a dedicated die hard football lover which many are on this site.

     

    I love my football.  I'm deeply involved in helping out at grassroots.  I play.  I watch with interest every afternoon through winter.  My football love doesn't end in May after the Grand Final.  I don't put the best interests of the younger members of my family over my love of football though.

     

    Out crowd numbers are set for the rest of the year.  If we can push 10k at any remaining home games, it'll be a win in the current context of where Wanderers as an organisation is.

    Link to comment
    sonar

     

    We are on track to at least make a finals appearance this year and I hope the disenchanted fans who have not turned up for whatever reason, DO turn up for our remaining home games as we will be playing away if we make the finals, I would like to think we could send a message to the guys that as fans we ARE behind them and supporting them even though a lot of those fans hate SOP.

     

    I've been clear on this.  My youngest son has missed both games on Sunday at 7pm because for one they don't kick off as advertised and two it's school night.  I've never brought him to a school night game.  He's too young.  I'll repeat it until I'm blue in the face.  My objection and sometime absenteeism from games which I dislike given the money I'm throwing away is due to the over prevalence of late games.  As a family with young kids we'll put up with the late games as long as there is a relatively balanced mix.  Give and take.  This year it's all take and fk you.  This season has shown that the FFA and clubs have completely caved in to Foxtel with the scheduling where we've had next to none on earlier and games have shifted from the 5pm and 7:30pm slots to later again.  Look at the crowds and think back to Parra.  It was packed with families and that is the core of our crowd in reality.  They've completely alienated them and getting a family to return is a tougher ask than a dedicated die hard football lover which many are on this site.

     

    I love my football.  I'm deeply involved in helping out at grassroots.  I play.  I watch with interest every afternoon through winter.  My football love doesn't end in May after the Grand Final.  I don't put the best interests of the younger members of my family over my love of football though.

     

    Out crowd numbers are set for the rest of the year.  If we can push 10k at any remaining home games, it'll be a win in the current context of where Wanderers as an organisation is.

     

     

    KGee, I was making a general statement not having a go at anyone in particular. I have family members who have kids at school as well and they do not go to games on a Sunday if school is on the next day so I DO understand. I apologise to you if you took it personally I was having a go at those that CAN attend but don't because they couldn't give a ****.

     

    I was trying to make a point that we have 19k members and we are getting only get 10K to a game and the crowd at last nights games was 7.8K....where were the other 11K ?

    Edited by sonar100
    Link to comment
    leslie

    Good game. Piss poor crowd. RBB great, in fact I get the sense we are warming into soulless a bit, starting to sort of feel like a home game. Shame I cant hear WST, even more of a shame they cant unite as one with the RBB, but it is what it is and im not judging, just saying its a shame.

     

    Funny bit of the night was when they were doing the team intros ....and here's Aspro sponsored by McDonalds just as I was reading his favourite food is...Pizza. Some one needs to tell the lad about sponsorship obligations.

     

    6th is ours to loose you'd think

    Link to comment
    echidna

    This was much more like a team that has ambition. Wellington were woeful in the first 10-15 min: no organised structure and lack of effort, so we should have capitalised more than we did.

     

    A lack of quality finishing (mainly Jumpei) will cost us when we play better teams, but Santa and Nico's goals were excellent. I agree with those who question Dimas's involvement with the players we now have. I think he is too prone to foul and also play the ball back when we should be pushing forward.

     

    We need to be aiming for that 6th (not 5th) place, as currently we would face 3rd (Melb City) away, then - if we win - a Sydney Derby (as 1 plays the lowest finishing semi winner), which, going by the last one, can be won. After that, we would be in another GF, and anything could happen.

    Link to comment
    Gazmon

    My bay usually has lots of families in it. I think I saw two other families apart from me and my boys. Lots of other ring-ins who probably spied empty seats from their GA spot and wandered on in.

     

    Given how painfully slow my boys were this morning getting ready for school and childcare, I don't blame parents for not taking the kids to a Sunday night game. I always regret it the next day.

     

    Terrible KO time for most families. 7PM on a Sunday? Come on FFA/Foxtel! We have hardly any afternoon kick-offs and we expect young families to go?

    Link to comment
    Paul01

    This was much more like a team that has ambition. Wellington were woeful in the first 10-15 min: no organised structure and lack of effort, so we should have capitalised more than we did.

     

    A lack of quality finishing (mainly Jumpei) will cost us when we play better teams, but Santa and Nico's goals were excellent. I agree with those who question Dimas's involvement with the players we now have. I think he is too prone to foul and also play the ball back when we should be pushing forward.

     

    We need to be aiming for that 6th (not 5th) place, as currently we would face 3rd (Melb City) away, then - if we win - a Sydney Derby (as 1 plays the lowest finishing semi winner), which, going by the last one, can be won. After that, we would be in another GF, and anything could happen.

    Why shouldnt we aim for 3rd. Roar campaign is faltering, Perth and Vi$ion both have hard runs home.

    The run home for3-6 is as follows

    Rd..Vi$ion.....Roar.....Perth.....WSW

    24..WSW(A)...M.Vic(H)..ESFC(H)..Vi$ion(H)

    25..ESFC(A)..CCM(H)....Adel(A)..Jets(A)

    26..Adel(A)..Perth(A)..Roar(H)....M.Vic(H)

    .................ACL(H)...........................ACL (H)

    27..Perth(A).Nix(H)....Vi$ion(H).Adel(A)

    Edited by Paul01
    Link to comment
    btron3000

     

    We are on track to at least make a finals appearance this year and I hope the disenchanted fans who have not turned up for whatever reason, DO turn up for our remaining home games as we will be playing away if we make the finals, I would like to think we could send a message to the guys that as fans we ARE behind them and supporting them even though a lot of those fans hate SOP.

     

    I went to the last derby game at ANZ thinking we could beat ESFC and we did, the only side to do it so far this season. I still think that we can go all the way and win a GF and give the ACL a shake as well.regardless of some of our results this year, I still think we are the side that the other teams will not want to play in a final.

     

    This Friday and the game against Victory will go someway to showing how the finals games might shape up. Unbeaten until the end of the season should be the target now, that is how we need to go in to the finals...I don't want to be scraping in to 6th spot from here, need to power on and get some real momentum going... if serious about winning the GF from here then no more defeats for the entire remainder of the regular HAL and of course the finals part, and get practicing spot kicks...

     

    I don't think we can give both the finals and ACL a shake. We are decent when the first team squad is out there. Beyond that, pitiful. I certainly don't think we can go undefeated the rest of the season, unless we totally chuck in the ACL.

     

    The next ACL game is a must win if we are to have any chance of qualifying, and they only have 2 days off after Victory and then 3 before Adelaide away. Depending on where we are compared to 5th and 7th we might need to field a bunch of backups for one of those A-league games.

     

    Then we've got an away final (unless a miracle happens) before the away Urawa game. We're going to have to go all in on the finals game which will impact the ACL game. Then if we win the finals game, we have to worry about the upcoming finals game against smurfs while travelling to Japan.

     

    It's all going to be a balancing act, particularly given the dearth of quality below the first 11. Normally I'd say we'd be sussing out the A-league table and focusing on ACL until the finals, then switching and focusing on finals. But I think Popa reckons we can beat Seoul while not playing the first 11 (as we have done), so the focus will probably be mainly A-league, especially if we've got a sniff of a home final. Realistically, progression from the ACL group is almost beyond reach so it has to take a back seat.

    Link to comment
    Smoggy

     

     

    We are on track to at least make a finals appearance this year and I hope the disenchanted fans who have not turned up for whatever reason, DO turn up for our remaining home games as we will be playing away if we make the finals, I would like to think we could send a message to the guys that as fans we ARE behind them and supporting them even though a lot of those fans hate SOP.

     

    I went to the last derby game at ANZ thinking we could beat ESFC and we did, the only side to do it so far this season. I still think that we can go all the way and win a GF and give the ACL a shake as well.regardless of some of our results this year, I still think we are the side that the other teams will not want to play in a final.

     

    This Friday and the game against Victory will go someway to showing how the finals games might shape up. Unbeaten until the end of the season should be the target now, that is how we need to go in to the finals...I don't want to be scraping in to 6th spot from here, need to power on and get some real momentum going... if serious about winning the GF from here then no more defeats for the entire remainder of the regular HAL and of course the finals part, and get practicing spot kicks...

     

    I don't think we can give both the finals and ACL a shake. We are decent when the first team squad is out there. Beyond that, pitiful. I certainly don't think we can go undefeated the rest of the season, unless we totally chuck in the ACL.

     

    The next ACL game is a must win if we are to have any chance of qualifying, and they only have 2 days off after Victory and then 3 before Adelaide away. Depending on where we are compared to 5th and 7th we might need to field a bunch of backups for one of those A-league games.

     

    Then we've got an away final (unless a miracle happens) before the away Urawa game. We're going to have to go all in on the finals game which will impact the ACL game. Then if we win the finals game, we have to worry about the upcoming finals game against smurfs while travelling to Japan.

     

    It's all going to be a balancing act, particularly given the dearth of quality below the first 11. Normally I'd say we'd be sussing out the A-league table and focusing on ACL until the finals, then switching and focusing on finals. But I think Popa reckons we can beat Seoul while not playing the first 11 (as we have done), so the focus will probably be mainly A-league, especially if we've got a sniff of a home final. Realistically, progression from the ACL group is almost beyond reach so it has to take a back seat.

     

     

    Wouldn't play the first string against Seoul, we should be able to beat them with a rotated squad, even with their energetic finish to the last game I don't rate them and we should have enough, after that will just have to see how the group pans out. I think Popa wants to progress in the HAL finals over the ACL if pushed this time....

    Link to comment
    Horus

    This was much more like a team that has ambition. Wellington were woeful in the first 10-15 min: no organised structure and lack of effort, so we should have capitalised more than we did.

     

    A lack of quality finishing (mainly Jumpei) will cost us when we play better teams, but Santa and Nico's goals were excellent. I agree with those who question Dimas's involvement with the players we now have. I think he is too prone to foul and also play the ball back when we should be pushing forward.

     

    We need to be aiming for that 6th (not 5th) place, as currently we would face 3rd (Melb City) away, then - if we win - a Sydney Derby (as 1 plays the lowest finishing semi winner), which, going by the last one, can be won. After that, we would be in another GF, and anything could happen.

     

    happy to be corrected - but Nico, Antonis, and Baccus all seem to turn and face forward with a more direct game, and I think Santa & Mitch's play is so so much better with that faster style...same with Clisby/Neville, they are brought into the game better.

    When wellington played themselves back into the game, we went back to our short passing game for a time - pushing it around the midfield and back...we were so much better when we quickly countered....had the others had their shooting boots on - we could have doubled our score 

    Link to comment
    MartinTyler

    Call me harsh but I don't completely buy into this 'schoolnight' excuse. Far more educational than some of the crap on TV at similar times and kids do need to get out !! I see that at whatever time we play there are excuses....schoolnight....too late....too hot...Friday traffic.....even Saturday nights finish late and there's all those hooligans around !! It's not just us as all A League clubs are suffering similarly. Admittedly Spotless is the pits but fortunately there's plenty of noise from the stalwarts who turn up. It does piss me off however that games always start 10-15 minutes later than the advertised time.

    Link to comment
    Paul01

    Call me harsh but I don't completely buy into this 'schoolnight' excuse. Far more educational than some of the crap on TV at similar times and kids do need to get out !! I see that at whatever time we play there are excuses....schoolnight....too late....too hot...Friday traffic.....even Saturday nights finish late and there's all those hooligans around !! It's not just us as all A League clubs are suffering similarly. Admittedly Spotless is the pits but fortunately there's plenty of noise from the stalwarts who turn up. It does piss me off however that games always start 10-15 minutes later than the advertised time.

    Well they could have scheduled our game for the 5.00pm time slot and the Adelaide-Roar game for the 7.00pm timeslot (which would have been 6.30pm Adelaide time.

    I got home with my boys, one being 11, at 10.15pm with a good run.

    I wonder if anyone has the breakdown on our membership numbers between Adult and Children?

    Link to comment
    mack

    Based on our run in (MV, MC, NJ & ADL) it's quite possible we make finals with 8 wins, 10 draws & 9 losses, 34 points, while only managing to beat 1 team who are above us on the ladder (Sydney FC lol).

     

    If we beat NJ & ADL, but lose to MV & MC (quite possible), then 5th or 6th will depend on Perth, who play SFC, ADL, Brisbane & MC.

     

    If we win 2 Perth would only need to win 1 (ie, Adelaide or Roar) to finish 5th.

     

    I'd say we're a 95% chance to finish 6th, and it's a high chance that the final standings will be based on simple "which team is higher now":

    Smurfs - 68

    Victory - 57

    City - 42 (they have a +8 GD over Roar at the moment)

    Roar - 42

    Perth - 35

    WSW - 34

     

    Obviously the biggest potential change is if WSW can win 3 games instead of 2 by beating City or Victory or both, and/or Roar & Perth playing a draw or Perth winning instead of Roar

     

    If we beat City that table would change to make it Roar, City, WSW, Perth, which flips the standings but keeps the matches the same.

     

    Roar 42

    City 39

    WSW 37

    Perth 35

     

    If Perth beat Roar, it would look like:

    Roar 39

    City 39

    Perth 38

    WSW 37

     

    So in short, expect a Vision home final vs the Wanderers in week 1 of the finals.

    Link to comment
    Erebus

    People use SOP as an excuse not to turn up. Yet turn up to the derbies at ANZ or SFS. Go figure.

    SOP isn't that much of a pain in the ass to get to. There are buses, trains and you can drive either to SOP or park in surrounding suburbs and train/walk to the stadium. Plenty of people do.

    Everyone acts like they all got front row parking at Parra stadium every week when in actual fact people were parking many blocks away or were taking T-Ways/Trains to Parramatta then dealing with the sh1t traffic in Parra afterwards.

     

    Travel time is probably similar for a lot of people. They are just making excuses with stuff like "lack of atmosphere" Well of course the atmosphere is "lacking" if half the members don't **** show up.

     

    So much for being part of the resilient west who don't normally back down from a challenge. Turning into self entitled soft cks.

     

    Can't wait for the excuses for Friday night.

    Tim Cahill not playing because of national duty?

    its Friday?

    It might rain?

    Its  a 19:50 KO ffs. Plenty of time to get there after work.

     

    ACL in a couple weeks will be the same. 8pm KO and people will complain its too late. But 7pm was too early. Make up your minds.

    Link to comment
    Smoggy

    Based on our run in (MV, MC, NJ & ADL) it's quite possible we make finals with 8 wins, 10 draws & 9 losses, 34 points, while only managing to beat 1 team who are above us on the ladder (Sydney FC lol).

     

    If we beat NJ & ADL, but lose to MV & MC (quite possible), then 5th or 6th will depend on Perth, who play SFC, ADL, Brisbane & MC.

     

    If we win 2 Perth would only need to win 1 (ie, Adelaide or Roar) to finish 5th.

     

    I'd say we're a 95% chance to finish 6th, and it's a high chance that the final standings will be based on simple "which team is higher now":

    Smurfs - 68

    Victory - 57

    City - 42 (they have a +8 GD over Roar at the moment)

    Roar - 42

    Perth - 35

    WSW - 34

     

    Obviously the biggest potential change is if WSW can win 3 games instead of 2 by beating City or Victory or both, and/or Roar & Perth playing a draw or Perth winning instead of Roar

     

    If we beat City that table would change to make it Roar, City, WSW, Perth, which flips the standings but keeps the matches the same.

     

    Roar 42

    City 39

    WSW 37

    Perth 35

     

    If Perth beat Roar, it would look like:

    Roar 39

    City 39

    Perth 38

    WSW 37

     

    So in short, expect a Vision home final vs the Wanderers in week 1 of the finals.

    Vision in Melb

    ESFC Allianz

    Victory in Melb

     

    Is all that will stand between us and our first GF victory.

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