Western Sydney Wanderers tie super sub Brendon Santalab to new two-year deal

BRENDON Santalab is the perfect impact player and he’ll be scoring last-gasp goals for at least two more seasons after the striker penned a new deal with the Wanderers.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 06: Brendon Santalab of the Wanderers celebrates after scoring their first goal during the round 18 A-League match between the Melbourne Victory and Western Sydney Wanderers at Etihad Stadium on February 6, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

BRENDON Santalab has turned into the perfect impact player and he’ll be scoring those last-gasp goals for at least two more seasons after the striker penned a new deal with the Wanderers.

The 33-year-old has scored three crucial goals in his last three games, each time coming off the bench to net in the 89th minute.

Santalab says his form comes down to confidence and credits Western Sydney coach Tony Popovic for much of what he’s been able to achieve.

“Confidence is high at the moment,” he said. “I’ve worked very hard since my little mishap in preseason with my little injury. Tony Popovic has instilled belief and confidence in me and I love when people instil that in me. I can learn off that and give back.

“I’ve always wanted to be a leader on and off the park. At the moment I think I’m playing that role really well and I’ll continue to do so. As the next couple of years roll by I’d like to lead by example, as I have been to the younger players at the Wanderers.

“Tony Popovic has been instrumental in my progress as a player and I’m very honoured to play under Tony and to learn each and every day. He’s a leader and when your boss is a leader you follow in his footsteps. As a player my fitness levels have enabled me to show that on the pitch.”

The Wanderers face a tricky assignment against the struggling Wellington Phoenix in Parramatta on Sunday and the players will have to keep their minds off what’s been going on with a handful of the club’s fans.

Last weekend’s clash against Melbourne Victory had to be temporarily stopped because of the smoke from several flares let off by a pocket of Wanderers fans. The club faces stiff punishment as a result and Santalab hopes it doesn’t result in the team losing points.

“It’s out of our control, but as players we’d be very disappointed,” he said.

“We give 100 per cent week in, week out. We’re doing very well this season, we’re obviously on top of the league, and we hope that there’s no action taken from the points table.

“I’ve always said how amazing our fans are every time we play, they’re incredible, but to have this behaviour is probably something the game doesn’t need and we hope it’s cleared up very soon.

“Obviously we don’t like when the game is brought into disrepute in any way and we hope that this issue can be resolved.”

Originally published as Western Sydney Wanderers tie super sub Brendon Santalab to new two-year deal