Western United’s ‘big personalities’ thrust into the A-League spotlight for Victoria’s feast of football in Round 2
Some coaches shy away from managing players with big personalities, but Western United boss Mark Rudan is relishing the challenge of moulding a side that has plenty of forthright stars.
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Western United coach Mark Rudan admitted managing “big personalities” was challenging but predicted the A-League’s newest club would benefit ahead of their home unveiling.
A-League record goalscorer Besart Berisha, Italy’s Euro 2012 attacker Alessandro Diamanti, Greece’s 2014 World Cup midfielder Pangiotis Kone, ex Socceroo Scott McDonald and former Besiktas enforcer Ersan Gulum headline United’s experienced crop of internationals who are no shrinking violets.
Victoria hosts a three-day football feast, starting with Friday’s clash between Melbourne Victory and Western Sydney before Western United emerges from the shadows on Saturday when they host last season’s minor premiers Perth Glory at GMHBA Stadium.
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Melbourne City will rush in-form striker Jamie Maclaren back into the squad for Sunday’s battle with Adelaide United (AAMI Park) after scoring in the Socceroos’ 7-1 win away to Chinese Taipei on Wednesday, following his Nepal hat-trick.
While Maclaren will return fresh after coming on with 11 minutes to go, City must decide whether to spare him for Wednesday’s (October 23) FFA Cup final, also against Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium.
Meanwhile Victory has suffered a blow with star German signing Tim Hoogland sidelined for up to six weeks with a torn quad.
Victory will also exercise caution with Socceroos winger Robbie Kruse (hamstring), who is unlikely to feature until November.
Rudan, who has no such injury concerns, was relishing the man-management challenge.
“You’ve got some big personalities in there. It can work one of two ways,” he said.
“Some coaches prefer not to work with big personalities and these types – you can spend a lot of time managing them as people. I see it in a different way.
“Man management is an area I enjoy. Not just as a former player (and captain), but as a coach. Forming relationships, getting to know the human being, finding what makes them tick, how to get the best out of them. Everyone’s different.
“I believe it will be a positive for us having such big personalities and experienced players.”
Berisha scored United’s maiden goal, in last week’s win at Wellington, while McDonald and Diamanti impressed.
“These guys who’ve had fantastic careers have taken a huge risk in coming to a new club as well - unless they perform to their expectation, this country is one, particularly with the foreigners who come here and even a Scott McDonald, they’re getting it,” Rudan said.
“What’s really important is respecting the country, the competition, the opponent. Unless you do that it’s tough.
“They’ve come for the right reasons, they’re showing us a sensational level of professionalism which the younger players are soaking up and it’s improving every training session.”
ROUND 2 FIXTURES
FRIDAY
Melbourne Victory v Western Sydney, Marvel Stadium, 7.30pm
SATURDAY
Western United v Perth Glory, GMHBA Stadium, 5pm
Central Coast v Newcastle Jets, Central Coast Stadium, 7.30pm
SUNDAY
Melbourne City v Adelaide United, AAMI Park, 4pm
Sydney FC v Wellington Phoenix, 6pm
THE LADDER
Team MP W D L GD PTS
1 Sydney 1 1 0 0 +1 3
2 Western Sydney 1 1 0 0 +1 3
3 Western United 1 1 0 0 +1 3
4 Brisbane Roar 1 0 1 0 0 1
5 Perth Glory 1 0 1 0 0 1
6 Melbourne City 1 0 1 0 0 1
7 Melbourne Victory 1 0 1 0 0 1
8 Newcastle Jets 0 0 0 0 0 0
9 Adelaide United 1 0 0 1 -1 0
10 Central Coast 1 0 0 1 -1 0
11 Wellington Phoenix 1 0 0 1 -1 0
THE MUST-WATCH GAMES
VICTORY v WANDERERS
Developed an intense rivalry in seven short years and with the Wanderers kicking off with a win on their home return, they loom as stiff opposition to a Victory side desperate to win after a debut draw.
WESTERN UNITED v PERTH GLORY
After a whirlwind start to life in the A-League, expansion club Western United is thrust into the spotlight for its first home game, at Geelong’s GMHBA Stadium, against last season’s grand finalists Perth Glory.
CITY v ADELAIDE UNITED
With an FFA Cup final looming and some decent football to boot, the optimism has returned to Melbourne City, whose away bay was sold out for the first time since 2015 for the first derby of the season.