Western United aiming to add to Wanderers’ A-League woes

Western United insist they are prepared for a Western Sydney Wanderers side with their backs to the wall.

Western United coach Mark Rudan watches his team in action against Brisbane Roar last week. Picture: Getty Images

Western United insist they are prepared for a Western Sydney Wanderers side with their backs to the wall in Friday’s A-League clash at Bankwest Stadium.

The Wanderers have lost their past five games and coach Markus Babbel this week rejected reports of a personal rift with assistant Jean-Paul de Marigny. But United coach Mark Rudan said his side would also take a “siege mentality” into the clash and avoid focusing on the woes of their opponent.

“The focus has really been on us. Everybody knows they’re in a difficult position right now, their confidence is low but the focus is on us,” Rudan said.

“We need to go in there with a real siege mentality mindset ourselves.

“We are away from home for the second week in a row in what is a beautiful stadium to play football and it’s important the players enjoy the atmosphere.

“We worked on different solutions and again, the focus is on us.

“We do understand their (Western Sydney’s) predicament – obviously they’re in the position they’re in – but we’ve worked really hard with the ball because the last two weeks we need to be better with the ball so the constant theme throughout the week has been finding solutions to break their press.”

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After conceding possession in their 2-0 win against Brisbane Roar last Friday, Rudan said his side would look to control the ball against the Wanderers.

United handed the Wanderers their first loss of the season in round five – and the Sydney side have have lost every game since.

Babbel said his side needed to return to the gritty approach that defined their opening three wins.

“It wasn’t the best style of football but we were fighting for every single centimetre on the pitch, if someone did a mistake the other one was there to help him out so now we have to come back to exactly this way again,” he said.

“It’s not a big thing in my eyes but we have to do it. We have no time anymore.

“We have a great opportunity on Friday and the only proof is on the pitch. If we do what we want to do I’m very optimistic we can hurt them.

“Otherwise, they’re a top side. They have a lot of experienced guys there and if we’re not doing right they can hurt us.”

Rudan also said former Socceroo Scott McDonald has not asked the club for a release while he hopes to see marquee and captain Alessandro Diamanti continue at the A-League club beyond this season.

McDonald has missed United’s past two games – against Melbourne Victory in Geelong and the Roar in Brisbane – with an achilles complaint, though he scored a brace in a friendly against NPL Victoria side St Albans on Saturday. Reports emerged this week the 36-year-old had requested a release, but Rudan rejected the suggestion.

“No, he hasn’t asked for a release,” Rudan said. “It’s quite interesting but it’s no different to anywhere else – people are gonna ask these sorts of questions, they’re gonna throw stones at us – it’s been happening from day one in different situations and areas in terms of our football club.

“But as far as we’re concerned, we stick together and it makes us stronger as a football club and we don’t allow any outside negativity or outside sources (to) influence or get in the way of what we’re trying to build here – so there’s no truth to that.”

McDonald pulled up sore after a practice match in training this week and will not travel to Western Sydney with the United squad.

Skipper Diamanti is on a one-year deal but Rudan said he hoped to see the Italian play on next season.

“He’s a fantastic player, he’s been a joy to coach and work with and I’d love for that to continue,” he said.

“But again, it’s not my decision.”

Rudan said former Ajax youngster Seb Pasquali was back training with the squad and was building towards a club debut.

“He had an ankle (injury) and then a quad and then he went to the Olyroos and got re-injured there as well but he’s worked really hard the last few weeks with our conditioning coach – playing catch-up,” Rudan said.

“But this week he’s been with the players and he’ll get minutes on Saturday because we’ve got a game organised against Altona so he’ll get his first minutes.

“He’s looking like a different person. It’s really good to see Sebastian out there with the players now and he’s got a spring in his step and he looks good.”

AAP