On the Attack: Wanderers’ time to pounce, champions under pressure and Auckland FC venture away from home
Heading into Unite Round, Socceroos great Robbie Slater says it’s the Wanderers’ time to pounce on NSW rivals, declares the reigning champions under the most pressure and more in On the Attack.
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Heading into Unite Round, Socceroos great Robbie Slater and Marco Monteverde discuss the suddenly struggling Sydney FC, the reigning champions moment of truth and what to expect from a travelling Auckland FC in On The Attack.
Sky Blues vulnerable
The Wanderers can pounce on a suddenly vulnerable Sydney FC in Saturday night’s derby at Allianz Stadium.
There was plenty of hype surrounding the Sky Blues before the start of the A-League season, with many declaring them title favourites on the back of a recruiting drive that included the acquisition of Brazilian star Douglas Costa.
However, after starting their A-League campaign with a 2-1 derby win over the Wanderers, the Sky Blues have struggled, winning just one of their next five games in all competitions.
Heading into Unite Round, Sydney is sixth on the A-League ladder with a record of two wins and two losses.
Not helping them has been injuries that have affected Costa and Englishman Joe Lolley.
However, to see Sydney in a mid-table spot, even at this early stage of the season, is a surprise.
In contrast, there was plenty of doom and gloom about the Wanderers after their first-up loss to Sydney FC and another couple of ordinary results.
However, following a 4-1 last-start home win over Newcastle, there is suddenly some new hope.
It’s at the stage where if Western Sydney win on Saturday night, they will move ahead of the Sky Blues on the ladder.
Expect another tense affair that will be decided by “moments”.
Hopefully, for neutrals, Costa and Western Sydney’s Spanish star Juan Mata will be involved in those moments in the feature clash of Unite Round.
But, once again, Mata is no guarantee to start for the Wanderers.
Mata played for less than 10 minutes against Newcastle, so you wouldn’t blame Wanderers coach Alen Stajcic for again leaving the former Manchester United and Chelsea star out of his starting line-up.
Amid all the drama surrounding Mata’s lack of game time under Stajcic, one thing you can’t question is the player’s professionalism.
While others, including Mata’s agent, have made plenty of noise about the star import not being treated with respect by Stajcic, Mata hasn’t said anything and has just gone about his business quietly on the training paddock.
Hopefully, he can eventually convince Stajcic that he’s worthy of a spot in Western Sydney’s starting XI otherwise it’s a waste of time and money having him at the club.
Launching Unite Round for season 24/25 in ð¬ðð²ð¥ðž 📸🤩 What a backdrop!
— Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) November 21, 2024
14 clubs. 12 games. ALL in the one place 🔥 Bring on the weekend!
Get your tickets now: https://t.co/NK7oVvPOiHpic.twitter.com/MjlJ1c48U1
Mariners must lift
It’s an early moment of truth for reigning champions Central Coast in Friday night’s F3 derby against Newcastle.
After four A-League games, the Mariners have only three points.
While they have only lost one of those four matches, they haven’t won any of them either.
Many will point to last season, when the Mariners had yet to register a point after four games.
The rest was history, with Central Coast recovering to win the treble.
However, after another player exodus in the off-season, it’s going to take a miracle for the Mariners to emulate their 2023-24 feats.
Hurting them also is the recent departure of club chairman Richard Peil, who was popular with the players and coaching staff.
Coach Mark Jackson has a big task on his hand to rescue his side’s season, but all is not lost, with a win over the Jets perhaps the key to a revival.
Mariners goalkeeper Dylan Peraic-Cullen, who this week signed a new contract with the Gosford-based, believed playing in an F3 derby would bring the best out of his team.
“Everyone’s keen for a derby – that’s what you like in football,” Peraic-Cullen said.
“We trust the process. It’s similar to last season when we lost our first four games and ended up winning the treble, so everyone’s still positive.
“I’m sure we’ll work it out.”
Auckland to hit the road
The A-League has been a bed of roses so far for competition newcomers Auckland FC, but that might change for the competition newcomers in Sunday’s closing Unite Round clash with Macarthur FC.
For the first time, the Black Knights will venture outside of New Zealand to play a competitive game.
Their first two matches were at home in Auckland, while their third game was in Wellington against the Phoenix.
Yet to drop a point and yet to concede a goal, the Black Knights have shown they mean business.
However, travelling to Australia for a game will be something different.
Perhaps in their favour is that the match will be played at a neutral venue, Allianz Stadium, rather than the Bulls home ground, Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
But it will still be a tough assignment for Auckland against a Macarthur outfit that won the Australia Cup less than two months ago.
The Macarthur-Auckland battle is part of a good Unite Round Sunday schedule that also includes the match between Melbourne Victory and Wellington Phoenix.
The Phoenix have already won twice in Australia this season, so they will have no fears about taking on the unbeaten Victory – who top the table by a point from Melbourne City and an Auckland team that has played a one game less - at a neutral venue.
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