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  • Unhappy New Year

    mack

    By mack

    A dismal performance by the Western Sydney Wanderers has seen them lose 2-0 to Melbourne City tonight.

    Melbourne City took the game with a blistering 2 minutes, taking advantage of abysmal defence from Western Sydney. The first goal coming as a result of a long throw-in well into the City half, being launched over the top of a completely disjointed Wanderers defence, Raul Llorente beaten for pace by Lachie Wales, and no cover defence in sight, the flyer burst into the penalty area to beat Vedran Janjetovic who as usual, dived before the shot was taken and saw it sail through the path he vacated.

    The second came very soon after, Riley McGreen turned Llorente and burned him for pace, surging into the penalty area, drawing a defender then laying off the ball to fullback Ritchie De Laet who unerringly found the bottom corner of the goal.

    Western Sydney had their usual handful of chances that they completely wasted, then the game turned on 55 minutes. Rostyn Griffiths, who had until then run the midfield for Melbourne City, stupidly lunged out at a rolling ball that Alexander Baumjohann was far closer to. He was shown his second yellow and sent off with the inevitably red card.

    With an anxious and at times angry crowd waited with baited breath for the Wanderers to land a blow on the side down to 10 men, unfortunately Eugene Galekovic stood in front of the goal, blocked shot after shot, including a top drawer save from a Baumjohann blast that viewers would have expected to bulge the back of the net.

    The Wanderers pressure was rewarded with a penalty in the 85th minute, as Nathaniel Atkinson was judged to have hand-balled on a cross into the box, and Oriol Riera stepped up. With the chance to pull a goal back and give them hope in the dying embers of the game, the out of form striker fired low to his left, a poor penalty that Eugene waited for and pounced upon, turning it wide.

    It was the cherry on top of one of the worst performances in the history of the Wanderers, and will leave the fans wondering how on earth will Markus Babbel turn it around. Many will no doubt consider it an impossibility until the majority of the playing roster is cut from the club.

    The Wanderers face Melbourne Victory next Saturday, the 5th of January, kickoff at 7:50pm at the Sydney Olympic Stadium.

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    scarcev
    1 hour ago, sonar said:

    More than made up by new members who still feel the same passion. The club will lose members and fans but gain new ones constantly.....fact of life.

    In the beginning it was what was happening on the pitch that made it special. It was OUR team...Western Sydney........and we can compete against the best in the country. Most of us know how much we are put down and maligned for being from where we are.....Western Sydney...our team went out and showed people differently...we were not to be taken lightly.

    At the moment we look like also rans.

    on the park AND in the stands

    Link to comment
    Bellby

    Without sounding exactly like the club, I definitely do think their will be an upturn in support / members as well as performances once Parra Stadium finally arrives & a downturn was inevitable given our early success.

    In regards to recruitment, their was a method to their madness... & then they sacked the coach they based all their recruitment on. Now MB is trying to clean out the players he doesn't want by not playing them or giving them limited opportunity which is also directly affects our performance & probably ability to recruit other players (especially aussie ones). Bit of a vicious circle really. 

    Edited by Bellby
    Link to comment
    wendybr
    14 minutes ago, Edinburgh said:

    I've said before that we haven't replaced the leadership of NTS and others before him. NTS's departure was probably the penultimate nail in the coffin 

    Yes exactly. This.

    Sure Dino and Shinji...and one or two others from overseas (whose names I've probably forgotten...the list has been so long) played with passion for the club.

    But having offloaded Aussie players who played with passion...for season after season...that, to me, is our biggest mistake.

    I don't see how you can expect team leadership at WSW to hold a candle to leadership from long-term players/leaders like a Broxham, Brosque or McKay for their teams. We have shown disrespect to many of our potential team leaders I think.

    Link to comment
    wendybr
    26 minutes ago, scarcev said:

    no way no how.  The fans are nowhere near as passionate or vocal now compared to S1 and S2, nowhere near it. 

     

    11 minutes ago, sonar said:

    Sorry can't agree......"I've never heard Paramatta this loud.........ever"

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KJY1HC53Fo

     

    I'm confused now....

    But looking at the group hug in that clip, straight after the goal, makes me upset.

    4/5 of those players are still in the A League....but only the one who's barely in the A League still "plays" for us. :(

    This season is lots of chickens coming home to roost.

    Link to comment
    sonar
    Just now, wendybr said:

     

    I'm confused now....

    But looking at the group hug there after the goal makes me upset.

    4/5 of those players are still in the A League....but only the one who's barely in the A League still "plays" for us. :(

    This season is lots of chickens coming home to roost.

    The semi final against the Roar as well........

    For me the fans have always been passionate........always........not so much the players lately......and people are having a different perspective on things.......perfectly normal as far as I'm concerned. At the end of the day we all want the club to succeed on the field......once that happens the rest will fall into place.

    Link to comment
    WSWJACK
    1 hour ago, mltezr said:

    Be careful you might cop a 12month ban from Sydney Olympic Park for that 

    And i'll gladly take both barrels....................................for any improvement in any aspect, in any department.

    Link to comment
    bombagol

    We must admit that Galekovic was a monster in goal last night.  If it weren't for at least four of his outstanding saves, we could've won the game easily:

    * Kamau's shot before half time was just tipped around the post for a corner.

    * The save low down to his right from Baumjohann's shot.

    * Riera's penalty saved just as well.

    * A fierce shot (can't remember from who) just tipped over the bar.

    Apart from the two goals coming from two mistakes, I don't think Melb City created many clear cut chances as I can't remember Vedran having to pull off heroic saves like Galekovic did.

     

    Oh, and one more thing - people are critical of Baumjohann, but please remember that Melb City kicked the crap out of him every time he glided past a couple of defenders, the third one then hacked him down without mercy.

    I know it's hard, but hang in there people!

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    wendybr
    21 minutes ago, Bellby said:

    Without sounding exactly like the club, I definitely do think their will be an upturn in support / members as well as performances once Parra Stadium finally arrives & a downturn was inevitable given our early success.

    In regards to recruitment, their was a method to their madness... & then they sacked the coach they based all their recruitment on. Now MB is trying to clean out the players he doesn't want by not playing them or giving them limited opportunity which is also directly affects our performance & probably ability to recruit other players (especially aussie ones). Bit of a vicious circle really. 

    Sigh...yes.

    And when I read this, I had a flashback to PARRAS....for those who remember our most entertaining troll from the early years of WSF.

    I actually didn't mind him - although others might bristle at the mention of his name. 

    He was mostly annoying, sometimes he was more sensitive and sincere (and thus not annoying)....but tbh - he did nail it in terms of most of what he said - about the good times and the inevitable bad times....speaking as he was as a SFC supporter, when they were in the middle of their 7 year long bad spell.

    I should take myself off to the Nostalgia Thread!  :lol:

    Link to comment
    Harv
    1 hour ago, sonar said:

    Agree & disagree sorta...lol...........The fans are just as vocal and passionate now as they were in season 1 & 2. The players put in.They appear not to be at the present.

    Sorry, Sponar, but we must have been attending different matches.  The RBB continues to work under trying circumstances with small crowds in these large stadiums.  The fans (those who still attend) are just as passionate.  But "just as vocal"!!!  I think not.  Season I and 2 the team walked on with the crowd on its feet and scarves held proudly and high and accompanied by loud cheering.  The fans joined in the shouting of the team surnames as the ground announcer called the starting team names.  Yesterday, and in all recent matches, save for the RBB, barely a scarf to be seen.  The team walked on to a stadium of fans seated and to nothing more than polite applause.  The ground announcer still tried to get an enthusiastic response to the his announcement of the team, but over in the eastern stand, the only response came from a small group of young fans sitting nearby.  Our time at Spotless and ANZ have ripped the guts out of the atmosphere we experienced in the early years, and I don't believe it has only to do with our success on the field in those two years.

    Link to comment
    Sithslayer1991
    10 minutes ago, bombagol said:

    We must admit that Galekovic was a monster in goal last night.  If it weren't for at least four of his outstanding saves, we could've won the game easily:

    * Kamau's shot before half time was just tipped around the post for a corner.

    * The save low down to his right from Baumjohann's shot.

    * Riera's penalty saved just as well.

    * A fierce shot (can't remember from who) just tipped over the bar.

    Apart from the two goals coming from two mistakes, I don't think Melb City created many clear cut chances as I can't remember Vedran having to pull off heroic saves like Galekovic did.

     

    Oh, and one more thing - people are critical of Baumjohann, but please remember that Melb City kicked the crap out of him every time he glided past a couple of defenders, the third one then hacked him down without mercy.

    I know it's hard, but hang in there people!

    Majock. 

    And yes regarding treejack its a tactic employed but every team that plays against us. Because once they shut him out we basically have no attack. Griffiths and Malik were both key to this. It is why high priority is that we get a dam good DM to pair up with Baccus to keep the attack going

    Link to comment
    Edinburgh
    11 minutes ago, bombagol said:

    We must admit that Galekovic was a monster in goal last night.  If it weren't for at least four of his outstanding saves, we could've won the game easily:

    * Kamau's shot before half time was just tipped around the post for a corner.

    * The save low down to his right from Baumjohann's shot.

    * Riera's penalty saved just as well.

    * A fierce shot (can't remember from who) just tipped over the bar.

    Apart from the two goals coming from two mistakes, I don't think Melb City created many clear cut chances as I can't remember Vedran having to pull off heroic saves like Galekovic did.

     

    Oh, and one more thing - people are critical of Baumjohann, but please remember that Melb City kicked the crap out of him every time he glided past a couple of defenders, the third one then hacked him down without mercy.

    I know it's hard, but hang in there people!

    I know ABJ was fouled, and the card he got was ludicrous,  but he had a shocker last night, really bad passes under no pressure, he didn't actually glide past anyone, too too slow to move with the ball, lost possessipn too easily etc

    Link to comment
    sonar
    5 minutes ago, Harv said:

    Sorry, Sponar, but we must have been attending different matches.  The RBB continues to work under trying circumstances with small crowds in these large stadiums.  The fans (those who still attend) are just as passionate.  But "just as vocal"!!!  I think not.  Season I and 2 the team walked on with the crowd on its feet and scarves held proudly and high and accompanied by loud cheering.  The fans joined in the shouting of the team surnames as the ground announcer called the starting team names.  Yesterday, and in all recent matches, save for the RBB, barely a scarf to be seen.  The team walked on to a stadium of fans seated and to nothing more than polite applause.  The ground announcer still tried to get an enthusiastic response to the his announcement of the team, but over in the eastern stand, the only response came from a small group of young fans sitting nearby.  Our time at Spotless and ANZ have ripped the guts out of the atmosphere we experienced in the early years, and I don't believe it has only to do with our success on the field in those two years.

    I don't disagree with what your saying but I don't 100% agree either....lol;;;as I said different people different perspectives. The people I sit around in the stands have been just as vocal as they were at Parra. I haven't changed how I support the club.

    Saying one era of fans are better than others....no....SOP a souless hole for fans....yes....**** performances on the pitch draing the life out of our supporters....yes...."Our time at Spotless and ANZ have ripped the guts out of the atmosphere we experienced in the early years"......selective quoting of you on my part but that's it in a nutshell for me.

    Link to comment
    BoyFromTheWest

    I think a part of our issue at the moment is that there are no real players who hold the 'corporate memory' or ethos of who we are.  There were somany awful changes in the last year or two of Popa and then last year that no-one remains who has the traditional ethos and passion of WSW - that was there from day 1.  Bridgey should but hasn't been around.  Not sure when Hammil came in and Elrich was only with us a short time and didn't play much, but no other players.  The identity of WSW has gone missing - the tough 'all for one, one for all' dig in and fight it out.  In years gone by Jamison would not have left the field in one piece after his shocking tackle on ABJ (should have seen red, surely).  NTS, Beauchamp, La Rocca or Polenz would have taken him down for that.  They would have protected one another, fought back and given as good as or better than they received.  Now we take it all and do nothing.  There is no inner strength or toughness - no Western Sydney mentality.  I think this is confusing Babbel because it is not something he recognises. As a mate told me - he has played a the very highest level and expects the best and to tough it out but what happens before his eyes is strange and, as the fans are saying, unacceptable.

    As for last night, I reckon every team has worked out that they only have to keep tight on Riera and ABJ, mark or hack them out of the game and absorb a little pressure then counter fast because we are slow.  I disagree that Kamau was the pick.  If he has space in front of him to run he is okay.  Occasionally turns inside and if he decides to shoot can put in a good one.  His crossing and general play is slow and indecisive.  Too many touches and poor crossing.  He was a City bench player last year and wouldn't be first team this year - like Fitz.

    The 2 boys in DM are growing into the game but they are still boys and Griffiths/Bratten were all over them.  They don't tackle consistently and our smaller players are easily pushed off the ball.  We lack strong leadership on the park revving everyone up.  The 2nd half was better but still need much more passion and toughness (mental and physical!).

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    Smoggy
    2 hours ago, Zakman said:

    Maybe instead of booing the players, direct our anger towards the owners/executive box (if there is one) like various Premier League clubs have done in the UK. Protest against the fact that they are taking the fans for granted by having an NPL level team see out seasons at unsuitable grounds. Protest at the fact they are not willing to spend a little in keeping quality at the club (Ikonomidis, Antonis etc).

    How very Newcastle United..i pick Wanderboy to head this particular protest...Newcie fans are hardcore in to protesting against owners..

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    StillWandering
    3 hours ago, Taurus said:

    A fool & his money are easily parted

    Hehe I'd generally agree, not a betting man but I put $10 on the Melbourne cup several years ago and im still using the money I won from that on random fun bets on things like the World Cup. Im still up by $100.  Hopefully the Wanderers can part this fool of his money. 

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    Sime11

    we still have a selfish player mentality, no selflessness or "for the team" mentality, the difference in team attitude in watching us go a man down compared to Adelaide & City doing the same speaks volumes.... we were very lucky to get a point against Adelaide, we were being dominated yet had an extra man advantage.....

    I don't like being Critical but Baumjohann has really disappointed in the past 2 games, extra man advantage, he has the skill to run riot... yet he doesn't....

    and can someone cross a fn ball into the box.... they train for hours every day of the week in preparation for a match, surely its not that hard to deliver a half decent ball into the box...

    and Riera looking up just as he's about to hit his penalty, talking about giving away your Poker hand....

    Edited by Sime11
    Link to comment
    SBW

    Something is rotten within our club, the players don't feel like playing for the club anymore, I don't know if it's the coachng staff or its club management but in saying that...

    theres-gotta-be-an-investigation.jpg

    Edited by SBW
    Link to comment
    EmMac
    20 minutes ago, Sime11 said:

    ............the difference in team attitude in watching us go a man down compared to Adelaide & City doing the same speaks volumes.... we were very lucky to get a point against Adelaide, we were being dominated yet had an extra man advantage.....

    This. Our resilience is non existent. We dont know what to do, how to adjust, how to turn it around, either when our backs are against the wall or indeed when we've been given an advantage.

    Resilience and adaptability, two key skills missing from the team. 

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    StringerBellend
    2 minutes ago, EmMac said:

    .

    Resilience and adaptability, two key skills missing from the team. 

    Those and shooting, passing, tackling ...

     

    still “hold your head up high in a storm”, Babbel, Markus 2019 

    Link to comment
    Sithslayer1991

    Ok here's a positive despite how bad we are playing we are only 8th Brisbane and Mariners are having worst season than us. On the negative I feel like were gonna have another hammering from Victory

    Link to comment
    mack
    4 hours ago, Zakman said:

    return of Bridge who has was crap last season

    It's very telling how poor the team was last year, that Bridge was still our 2nd highest goal-scorer. With 4.

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    mack
    2 hours ago, bombagol said:

    Oh, and one more thing - people are critical of Baumjohann, but please remember that Melb City kicked the crap out of him every time he glided past a couple of defenders, the third one then hacked him down without mercy.

     

    Every team's best player gets smashed constantly.

    ABJ looks like Saba V2. Like a nice looking plane, it can glide along looking flash, until it tries to land and it bursts into flames.

    Link to comment
    dcrow
    2 hours ago, Edinburgh said:

    I know ABJ was fouled, and the card he got was ludicrous,  but he had a shocker last night, really bad passes under no pressure, he didn't actually glide past anyone, too too slow to move with the ball, lost possessipn too easily etc

    What do you mean he didn't glide past anyone. He made a few daunting runs, especially the one started 10 metre from the halfway line where he evaded and glided past a few players got into the box and then a cutback pass which was intercepted by a City player. 

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    Taurus
    1 hour ago, StillWandering said:

    Hehe I'd generally agree, not a betting man but I put $10 on the Melbourne cup several years ago and im still using the money I won from that on random fun bets on things like the World Cup. Im still up by $100.  Hopefully the Wanderers can part this fool of his money. 

    PUT IT ALL ON, that should spark an improvement in our performance 

    Link to comment
    dcrow
    21 minutes ago, mack said:

    It's very telling how poor the team was last year, that Bridge was still our 2nd highest goal-scorer. With 4.

    The old Bridge is the type of player we are missing at the moment. Pops up the right time to score with his fat head or taps in in front of goal or shoots ***** outside the box.

    Link to comment
    Sithslayer1991
    10 minutes ago, dcrow said:

    The old Bridge is the type of player we are missing at the moment. Pops up the right time to score with his fat head or taps in in front of goal or shoots ***** outside the box.

    At least with the old Bridge we knew we would get a goal out of him every 4 games or so

    Link to comment
    Neverbloom
    4 hours ago, EmMac said:

    The larger problem with our most recent and current form is that it starts to give a certain impression of the club, the players and the supporters and that is extremely difficult to shift those perceptions. The perception that the club lacks  a focus on quality, its penny pinching all the time, the team and staff are sub par, the culture is off, the supporters are revolting (hehehe) and active support is harasassed and in disarray.  

    What does that means in practical terms?

    Its the story of the Mariners. Who wants to play for them? If i was an aussie player, two offers on the table for same money, one from Esfc and one from Mariners, I will take  the esfc offer. Sfc doesnt come across like Dollar king is as good as DJs. Its farrrkin not. Quality will always be better than quantity. We are heading in that direction.

    If we don't actually behave our way out of this hole we are in, as a club, as players, as supporters we will be the Mariners of Western Sydney.  By behave, i mean that not only do the owners and management need to put our money where our mouth is, but the coach and  players have to behave as if they want to be here at wsw. Get rid of any player and any staff who are not 100% committed and focused on improving and winning. We currently don't believe we are winners. That is the manifested in the results we are producing. 

    Ps. I like our Sea Bogan cousins, but they  have a reputation and that means they are fairly or unfairly judged by that reputation. That perception of 'not much good' is very hard to turn around. Thats a lot of hard work repairing that kind brand perception. The wsw are hurtling in that direction.

    they have matt simon so believe me every bit of negative judgement they get is well deserved

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