A-League grand final: Western Sydney retain confidence in defence despite Brisbane hiccup

ONE of the most secure defences in the A-League conceded four goals last weekend. But there is no panic among Western Sydney Wanderers’ experienced back four.

Wanderers defenders Scott Neville, Scott Jamieson, Nikolai Topor-Stanley and Alberto.

A DEFENCE that let in four goals in a semi-final might normally expect to spend the following week learning urgent remedial measures.

“But when the goalkeeper’s had one or two saves to make in the whole game, normally you think it’s been a pretty good day,” said Scott Jamieson, summing up the mystery of Western Sydney’s semi-final.

One of the most secure defences in the A-League had suddenly conceded three goals inside 25 minutes, leaving the poor goalkeeper, Andrew Redmayne, bemused and utterly helpless for any of them. And yet it’s hard to say that their confidence would be damaged by what unfolded, and they certainly won’t change what has worked so well this season.

Part of Western Sydney’s change of style has been a defence stationed much higher up the pitch, with fullbacks in Jamieson and Scott Neville given licence to drive forward, and centrebacks Alberto and Nikolai Topor-Stanley relying on positional discipline and anticipation to avoid getting stranded far from goal.

“We’ve been fortunate that bar a few suspensions there hasn’t been too much of a shuffle,” said Jamieson.

“You like that continuity, it helps enormously with the communication. We’ve worked pretty hard to build the structure that we have.

Wanderers defenders Scott Neville, Scott Jamieson, Nikolai Topor-Stanley and Alberto.

“It’s been a strongpoint of ours throughout the season, and not just us, the whole team is drilled to defend well.”

Which is what made the way Brisbane were handed a three-goal lead in the semi all the stranger.

“But the best bit was the way we responded,” said Topor-Stanley.

“If you look at the four goals, none were defensive lapses overall.

“There were two individual mistakes and a deflection - the fourth goal we were maybe out of position, but that’s one in four. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in football, it’s not knowing what to expect in any game.”