Wanderers coach Josep Gombau warns senior players they are fighting for their lives

SOME of Western Sydney’s senior players must prove they can be part of Josep Gombau’s revolution, after the new coach warned he will only select those who adapt to his style.

Wanderers coach Gombau is marking his territory. Picture: Brett Costello

SOME of Western Sydney’s most senior players will have to prove that they can be part of Josep Gombau’s revolution, after the new head coach warned that he will only select those who adapt to his style of play.

Gombau dropped four players to the bench who might have expected to start in Saturday’s horror loss to Sydney FC, Brendon Santalab, Michael Thwaite, Jumpei Kusukami and Raul Llorente — all of whom are among the 13 players coming off contract at the Wanderers at the end of the season.

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Wanderers coach Gombau is marking his territory. Picture: Brett Costello

Having made clear that his squad is in a “building phase”, Gombau said the selection of young players including Lachlan Scott and Keanu Baccus was reward for implementing his possession-based, expansive style at training.

The capitulation to Sydney has already heaped pressure on Gombau who has eschewed the pursuit of results in the short-term while he revamps the team in his own image.

“We will put (in place) the style, and the players who follow the style are the ones who will play,” Gombau said. “They are doing exactly what I want.”

Fan favourite Brendon Santalab was benched for the derby. (AAP Image/Brendan Esposito)

Though it’s expected he will try to change some faces once the January transfer window opens, Gombau admitted his room for maneuvere was limited until the end of the season.

“We have now 23 players who have contracts with us so we don’t have a spot free,” he said.

“(Changes) are not something we are doing because we have at this moment a full squad.”

Originally published as Wanderers coach Josep Gombau warns senior players they are fighting for their lives