Western Sydney Wanderers coach Markus Babbel demands more goals — of any kind

“A goal is a goal,” says Western Sydney coach Markus Babbel. It sounds simplistic but it is getting to the point where the Wanderers don’t care how they go in, as long as they do.

• City drop Fornaroli again
• Improved Riera could lift misfiring Wanderers

It’s getting to the point where the Wanderers just need to win, even if that’s winning ugly. And for that, they might need to score ugly.

“A goal is a goal,” says Western Sydney coach Markus Babbel, putting his finger on the problem. Attractive football in the build-up, as the Wanderers have shown they can play, means little if goals aren’t the end product.

With five points and six goals from five games, Babbel can see what is holding his side back.

“We have to change one thing — if we get chances we have to take them,” said the Wanderers boss as he contemplated a trip to league leaders Melbourne Victory.

Raul Llorente with a familiar reaction for the Wanderers. (Brett Costello)

What his team needs, Babbel believes, is a break, just to get the ball rolling. Beautiful goals and scruffy goals all count the same.

“Sometimes you can't explain it, you need one goal and then everything changes,” he said. “I trust them, I see them every day in training that they can score.

“It doesn't matter if it's an easy chance or not, or which game it is, you need this mentality — just score. Every goal is nice, a goal is a goal. It's always a great feeling. It will come, I am confident.

“Maybe you need one game where it works to get the confidence — where you feel light, (then) it is no problem. Maybe we need a game like this.”

Babbel is confident the goals will come. (AAP Image/Brendan Esposito)

With injuries biting at his squad, Babbel continues to shuffle the pack, partly to find the best combination of attacking threats.

Abraham Majok has been the beneficiary of that, and with Roley Bonevacia out with a hamstring issue, Babbel hinted that the young winger will keep his place despite two glaring misses in the home defeat to Newcastle last weekend.

Those selected against Victory will have very specific instructions, playing a team about whom Babbel practically eulogises following their defeat of Sydney FC last Sunday.

Oriol Riera needs to start delivering. (Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

“They never get nervous, they play the style they want to play,” he said. “Even with the penalty against them — which everyone in the stadium could see was not a penalty — they were a bit angry but they still tried to play their style.

“They were confident and for us it is a big challenge. We need the same mentality and tactical focus like the last game against Newcastle. We have to change one thing — if we get chances we have to take them. That was the problem.

“We have a game plan that can work if we do the right things. But this is a team that doesn't need many chances. They only had two or three chances (against Sydney) but scored two goals.

“(The key is to) be aggressive — very easy! Stay compact as a team and be aggressive. If we are not, we don't have chance against this team.

“It's not only Keisuke Honda — they are too good, skilful, technical, they have the pace, they have the finishing. If you give them too much space then you are in trouble.”

Get every match of the 2018/19 Hyundai A-League LIVE. SIGN UP NOW!