Robbie Slater: John Aloisi drives Western United to top, Wanderers’ six-point swing, Smith to depart

Socceroos great Robbie Slater and Marco Monteverde break down the biggest stories in the A-League, including Melbourne’s new A-Leagues king, and Wanderers’ “six-point” derby equation.

Socceroos great Robbie Slater and Marco Monteverde break down the biggest stories in the A-League, including Wanderers’ “six-point” derby equation, an untimely departure at Macarthur FC, and how Western United’s become Melbourne’s best team.

‘Six-point’ derby crucial

Having thrown away one derby last weekend, Western Sydney Wanderers can ill-afford a repeat performance in Sunday’s derby against Macarthur FC at CommBank Stadium.

Alen Stajcic’s men would still be extremely frustrated with their failure to close out last Saturday’s clash against Sydney FC after leading 3-1 deep into the second half.

The 3-3 draw would have definitely felt like a loss for the Wanderers, who would have jumped into the top six had they won, which they should have.

Sydney FC’s Rhyan Grant competes with Wanderers’ Brandon Borrello for the ball. Picture: Getty Images

Instead they remain in eighth spot, and in a similar scenario to last week, with Macarthur being three points ahead of the Wanderers, just as the Sky Blues were, and still are.

In essence, therefore, Sunday’s game is another “six-pointer”.

If the Bulls win, they will move six points clear of Western Sydney. However, if the Wanderers can finally deliver the goods on their home ground, they will join Macarthur on 25 points, and have a game in hand.

While the atmosphere won’t be anything near what was experienced at Allianz Stadium last Saturday, it will be just as intense on the field.

For the Bulls, this is their true derby, so they won’t be holding anything back.

It’s just a shame that Macarthur’s star striker and inspirational captain Valere Germain will be suspended for the match.

Suspended Macarthur captain Valere Germain has been among the best players in the league. Picture: Getty Images

His absence will be hard to fill, particularly for a Bulls squad that lost attacking threats Ariath Piol and Jed Drew during the transfer window that closed on Wednesday.

Germain’s A-League stint has been extremely under-rated.

The Frenchman is one of competition’s best players, and it’s not a surprise that at least one Japanese club is chasing the services of the 34-year-old marksman.

Despite the closure of the transfer window between A-League clubs, there is still time for an A-League player to be sold to clubs in some parts of the world, including Japan.

Bulls officials believe that if Germain was to leave, it wouldn’t be until the end of the season.

However, his frustration with some of the officiating in the A-League definitely has him considering his immediate future.

Coach leaving Bullpen

Sunday’s derby will also be a farewell match for Macarthur assistant coach and former Brisbane Roar title-winning captain Matt Smith.

The England-born former Socceroos defender has accepted a position on the coaching staff of the Malaysian national team, whose head coach is Australian mentor Peter Cklamovski.

The coaching staff also includes ex-Socceroos captain Mark Milligan, while highly regarded Australian sports scientist, Dr Craig Duncan, has been appointed as the team’s head of high performance and sports medicine.

Matt Smith captained Brisbane Roar to a title in 2014, and could have returned a decade later as coach. Instead, he’s off to join the Malaysian national team. Picture: AAP Image

Smith’s departure from the A-League might have been avoided had the Roar offered him the club’s head coaching role.

It’s understood the Roar, who have won just once this season, were extremely close to sacking coach Ruben Zadkovich and replacing him with Smith.

However, the embattled Zadkovich somehow retained his job – for now.

United they stand

Western United has taken over from Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City as Victoria’s best A-League team, and John Aloisi’s men get another chance to prove that on Saturday in the game-of-the-round against A-League leaders Auckland FC at Ironbark Fields.

There’s an exuberance about United that’s refreshing.

Aloisi has found the ideal blend of youth and experience in a team that has featured in many of the A-League’s most memorable matches this season.

Western United’s Abel Walatee celebrates scoring a goal against Macarthur FC. Picture: Getty Images

United’s dismantling of Auckland in a 4-0 thrashing of the previously unbeaten Black Knights in December was among the best performances seen this season by any A-League team.

And now United has the chance to prove it was no fluke, but the task will be tougher without suspended midfielder Angus Thurgate, who has been superb this season.

As for Victory and Melbourne City, they have points to prove.

Western United coach John Aloisi has led the team to be the best A-League side from Melbourne. Picture: Getty Images

City’s season is at risk of amounting to nothing after three straight losses, and if they can’t beat Perth Glory in Melbourne, they don’t deserve the chance to play finals football.

Even a win over the struggling Glory won’t prove much, but it will at least kick-start a campaign that has been inadequate for a club of City’s stature, despite the number of injuries Aurelio Vidmar’s men have suffered this season.

The Victory will also want to get back on track on Friday night at AAMI Park against Wellington Phoenix after a poor performance in last Saturday’s 3-0 loss to Newcastle.

Two recent wins seemed to suggest Victory had recovered from a drop in form, however the way Arthur Diles’ men capitulated in stoppage-time against the Jets has shown they have plenty of work still to do to challenge for the title.

Unrest at Jets

Despite Newcastle’s impressive 3-0 win over the Victory, there is speculation that there is unrest in the Jets camp due to ongoing interference from a club official when it comes to team selection, tactics and recruitment.

It is understood that the situation has become so bad that a member of Newcastle coaching staff will walk away from the club at the end of the season.

It’s not head coach Rob Stanton, but he too is believed to be becoming increasingly frustrated with unwanted advice and directives from outside the club’s football department.

Originally published as Robbie Slater: John Aloisi drives Western United to top, Wanderers’ six-point swing, Smith to depart