Western Sydney Wanderers goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne welcomes challenge from Liam Reddy

THE man with potentially most to lose from Liam Reddy’s arrival at the Wanderers welcomes the “fantastic competition” in fighting to be No 1.

THE man with potentially most to lose from Liam Reddy’s arrival at the Wanderers insists his place in the team has never been guaranteed, but welcomes the “fantastic competition” in fighting to be No 1.

Goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne’s position as Tony Popovic’s first choice has come under the spotlight after Reddy’s switch from the Mariners, meaning Western Sydney have three senior keepers in their squad.

The Wanderers have the equal second-best defensive record in the competition, conceding just 10 goals in 11 A-League games, but speculation is strong that Reddy could usurp Redmayne once the opening of the transfer window makes him eligible to play next month.

But Redmayne said every player faced a weekly battle to convince Popovic that they had earned selection, with Reddy’s arrival to be welcomed for upping the intensity of that battle.

“It’s fantastic competition, that’s the way I’m looking at it,” he said. “To win the A-League you need a squad with a lot of both quality and depth.

“Liam adds experience and know-how not just in the goalkeeping department but right across the squad.

Western Sydney Wanderers recruit Liam Reddy.

“Every week we have the selection process and we all know that we have to put our best foot forward and demonstrate in training as much as in games why we deserve to play.

“It’s an attitude that comes from the top, from Tony Popovic down, and the boss will never allow us to become complacent even for a moment.

“If anything, as individuals and as a team, we need to be putting our foot on the pedal at this point, trying to raise the standard further, not assuming we’ve achieved anything.”

Redmayne’s arrival at the club coincided with goalkeeping coach Zeljko Kalac switching from Sydney FC to join Western Sydney, immediately influential in the former Melbourne City stopper being signed to replace Ante Covic in the Wanderers’ squad.

“As goalkeepers we worked extremely hard in pre-season on technical and tactical aspects to our game,” Redmayne said.

“I also worked on my mental and physical attributes with ‘Spider’ (Kalac), and I think I’m seeing that work bear some fruit as the season has gone on.

“I’m playing deeper, thanks to the quality of players ahead of me, and with the work rate we have to put in at training, you do go into every game feeling confident that you have prepared fully for each game.”

Western Sydney have the opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the table to five points on Christmas Eve, against a Newcastle side slipping down the table and goalless in three games — and Redmayne said they would be well prepared.

“As soon as every game is finished we’re onto the next, looking at video of the opposition and seeking areas to exploit,” Redmayne said.

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Originally published as Western Sydney Wanderers goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne welcomes challenge from Liam Reddy