A-League cellar dwellers Western United desperate to avoid a sixth successive defeat

Western United coach John Aloisi has had enough of positive performances amounting to nothing for his struggling side.

Western United coach John Aloisi isn’t panicking despite his side’s poor start to the A-League season. Picture: Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images

John Aloisi knows honourable defeats and good performances going unrewarded will only be tolerated for so long as he attempts to end his Western United side’s depressing run of A-League losses.

Heading into Friday’s night’s clash with reigning champions Central Coast in Gosford, United is last on the ladder, having lost its past five matches.

While 2021-2022 title-winning mentor Aloisi isn’t panicking, the former Socceroos star as been in football as a player and a coach for long enough to know things much change soon for him to avoid severe consequences.

“This is where we’re learning a lot about ourselves and I’m liking what I see, and we want to win now,” he said.

“That will really show everyone what I’m talking about. It’s not just me filling up people with words.

“You see it on the weekend. You see the players going right to the end. It’s not just me saying it, and they’re not responding.”

Pressure is mounting on Western United coach John Aloisi. Picture: Martin Keep/Getty Images

However, Aloisi admits he’s putting pressure on himself to turn United’s season around.

“The pressure I put on is on myself because I want to be competing at the top and competitive,:” the former Melbourne Heart and Brisbane Roar coach said.

“But also I know the big picture of what we’re trying to achieve and what we’re trying to do as a club,” Aloisi said.

“We know as a club where we’re at, and we know where we’re trying to head to, and so there’s going to be certain bumps in the road, but … I’ve been around long enough as a player that’s dealt with certain situations, as a coach already that’s dealt with certain situations, so I know that how quickly it can change.

“If I didn’t see the playing group so strong, didn’t see them still training the house down, still putting in all the effort, then I’d start to be a little bit worried, but I don’t see that.

“I just see a group that’s just wanting to keep on improving, and if that’s the case, then I know it will turn.”

The Mariners are only one point better off than United on the ladder, but are unbeaten in their past three matches in all competitions.

Mariners coach Mark Jackson said confidence was high in the Central Coast camp after the team’s effort to fight back from a goal down to draw 2-2 with Melbourne Victory last Sunday.

“The way we finished the game, the way we kept pushing … was a real positive for us,” Jackson said.

“It’s another opportunity for us to build our unbeaten run. We’re ready to go and get the three points, and attack this game.”