Western Sydney Wanderers fan Michael Thompson sat down with FTSAUS to give his thoughts on the chances of the A-League runners-up.
Last season you ran into an impressive Brisbane team in the Grand Final, who do you see as your main threats this season?
It’s hard to know where to turn when looking for your main threats and that’s the danger of the A-League. What’s great about Popa is that you rarely see the Wanderers go out under-estimating anybody. I think it’s hard to go past Brisbane as they’ll still be hard to break down but I can’t see Sydney not being stronger and more organised under Arnie. If Delpierre works out, it could be the missing piece for the Victory and of course the stability at Adelaide could see them grow even stronger and more dangerous as Gombau further stamps his philosophy on the team.
You kick off the season against Melbourne Victory, Are Sydney or Victory your biggest rivals?
Undoubtedly Sydney FC are our biggest rivals. Every time we meet regardless of our respective positions on the table both sides lift for the derby games. I am really excited to see what Arnie is going to bring to the Sydney FC mentality and even more so how the astute tactics and team selections of Popa will seek to break down and overcome what I think will be a much more organised Sydney outfit.
Who is the most important player this season?
This season will see a lot of new faces in the Wanderers line up. I would say the impact of Vitor Saba will heavily dictate the Wanderers season. Past success at the Wanderers has been built on an organised and well drilled defensive shape with fast counter attacks producing a goal for us to defend. I think how effectively Saba can work the ball is going to be critical in unleashing Bridge, Appiah-Kubi & Castelen and I think he is going to need to chime in with at least 5 goals himself if the Wanderers are really going to challenge. I also think the presence and leadership of La Rocca in a midfield now missing Ono, Mooy & Hersi has already proved vital in our ACL matches and Season 10 will prove no different.
Tom Juric is tipped for big things over the next season, what do you expect from his this season?
Tomi is an outstanding player for the Wanderers and I think the system that Popa plays is tailor-made for the big man. In a team where goals are not always flowing, having someone with Tomi’s variety of finishing is a huge bonus. I think Tomi has proven that if you give him the supply line, he will do the rest. So the ability of Saba to break up the defence and get good quality ball to Tomi will have a strong influence his season. All going well, a fully fit Juric should be looking to take his game to the next level and dominate the league in the same way Berisha has.
Where will the Wanderers finish this season?
Very difficult to predict. Much like Perth and Melbourne City, it will all depend on how quickly the new arrivals can gel. Our home form is going to be critical and I’m sure all the Wanderers fans like myself are looking forward to making Wanderland an intimidating place to travel to. I think with Adelaide and Brisbane as our toughest contenders and on the back of what I hope will be an ACL Trophy, I think we a top 3 finish would be a huge achievement for a side that has lost so many key personnel.
Who do you sing for?
We sing for Wanderers!
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