Wanderers captain Mitchell Duke takes aim at misfiring teammates
Western Sydney captain Mitchell Duke has thrown down the gauntlet to his side after more wasted opportunities in front of goal cost them dearly in their 2-1 loss to Brisbane Roar.
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Western Sydney captain Mitchell Duke has launched a scathing attack on his side, accusing them of shirking their responsibilities in front of goal.
Duke put his own hand up saying he needs to do more as part of the Wanderers’ attacking brigade after under-fire coach Markus Babbel’s side dropped to within five points of cellar dwellers Newcastle with a 2-1 loss to lowly Brisbane on New Year’s Day.
“We just seem to find a way to lose. I don’t know what to say really,” said Duke, who scored his side’s only goal against the Roar.
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“We’ve got to find a ruthless streak. Other people seem to pass on the responsibility. Next time I might need to be a bit more selfish.
“Everyone needs to believe more that they can score goals, not rely on one or two individuals. “We’ve got me, Alex Meier, [Nicolai] Muller, Mohamed Adam, Kwame Yeboah, we all need to step up and score goals.”
Having come so close to letting their win slip against Adelaide last week, Western Sydney have also scored first in four matches but have failed to hold onto their points.
They’ve scored more than one goal in a game only four times this season.
Three of their next four matches are against Wellington Phoenix, Perth Glory and Sydney FC, three teams in sensational goal scoring and defensive form.
Phoenix are on a six game unbeaten run while former Wanderers fan-favourite Tony Popovic has Perth Glory firing with 14 goals in their past four games, rocketing into the top three.
While Sydney FC’s are nine points clear in the title race and dominating matches without key players.
Despite a dubious penalty shout and confusion over Patrick Ziegler’s exit from the game for treatment, leading to Brisbane’s second goal, the Wanderers barely scratched the surface of deserving a result.
Their marquee striker Meier has scored just one goal in 12 matches, while Duke resembles the only thing close to a goal scoring threat but his goal against the Roar was his first since round five.
In defence, errors and lapses in concentration are killing them off.
Defender Mat Jurman couldn’t fathom another loss at home and believes the team could struggle to regain their confidence.
“If I had the answers I’d be passing them on to the boys,” said Jurman. “It’s the same old story for us.
When asked if he felt like they were banging their heads against the wall and not making progress, Jurman said: “Yes, it does.”
Babbel didn’t pull any punches, criticising his team’s lack of concentration.
“We conceded a set piece, a totally free header, then we start again,” he said.
“We can battle every single team. The way we concede the goals are always too easy.”
The Wanderers play the Phoenix on Saturday in Wellington where they lost 2-1 earlier this season.
Originally published as Wanderers captain Mitchell Duke takes aim at misfiring teammates