Is the worm turning for the Wanderers

Michael Lynch: West Sydney have been a huge disappointment for several seasons, but is Alen Stajic the man to put them back in the A-League limelight?

It is one of the A-League's mysteries that Western Sydney Wanderers, one of the competition's best-supported clubs, have somehow never managed to win the title, despite their success in the biggest Asian competition of all, the Champions League, and the fact that they have played in three A-League grand finals.

It is a toss-up as to whether it is they or Perth Glory who are the biggest underachievers.

Current Socceroo boss Tony Popovic enjoyed the most success at the club, guiding it to those A League deciders and the ACL championship: but he left in 2017, since when the Wanderers’ record has been largely one of mediocrity with only one finals appearance (and an early exit) to their name.

Is current coach Alen Stajic the man to transform the club's fortunes?

Only time will tell, but Stajic's side, having made a stumbling start to the campaign (they won only one of their first five games and lost to local rivals Sydney twice in the opening weeks of the season) have stabilised and moved into the top six with some impressive victories in recent weeks.

Wanderers got a massive boost from their 4-1 win over Wellington but that was on their own patch in the NSW capital's western suburbs.

Even more impressive than their most recent triumph, a come-from-behind win over high-flying Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium when they came from 2-0 down to take all three points on a 3-2 scoreline, in the process inflicting Adelaide's first defeat of the season.

This was the second week in a row that Adelaide had surrendered a two-goal advantage (they had let Sydney score twice in the last three minutes seven days earlier to snatch a 3-3 draw) but to put Western's win down to Adelaide's implosion would not do justice to the way Stajic's side first clawed themselves back into the game, then got back on level terms and eventually dominated the closing stages to grab their winner.

It spoke volumes about their determination and grit - and the belief that has been instilled into the collective by their coach.

Stajic is one of the most experienced mentors in the league, although much of his earlier success came in the women's game when he was one of the most successful coaches the Matildas have ever had. He also led the Philippines womens team to their best-ever position and qualified them for the Women’s World Cup in 2023, the first time in the nation's history.

However, he proved he was just as adept in the men's game when he took Central Coast to third place in the 2020-2021 season and he had one season with trouble-torn Perth Glory before taking up the Wanderers job.

Their endeavour and commitment were evident in their win over Adelaide, who were being roared on by another big Coopers Stadium crowd who knew that the hosts could go to the top of the table with a win.

Such was the way the Wanderers finished the game that Stajic's team looked likely to score every time they went forward in the dying minutes - despite the fact that the coach had been sent off in the 93d minute during a break in play.

He had been booked earlier in the second half but is adamant that the straight red card he received in stoppage time was unwarranted.

"I was actually animated because my player [Dylan Scicluna] was down on the ground and I suspected he had an injury and people were crowding around him,'' the coach said after the game.

"And I got sent off just for being too close to the pitch; [the officials] said I was in their (Adelaide's) technical area, I didn't think I was, I thought I was just there checking on the condition of my player."

Reports have since emerged that Scicluna has torn his ACL and will miss the remainder of the season but the Wanderers are yet to confirm.

Stajic often comes across as quiet and thoughtful but that can mask a steely determination and a strong sense of belief in his own principles and tactical approach.

He showed in his legal fight with Football Australia after he finished with the Matildas that he was not afraid to challenge authority either, eventually winning a substantial settlement after a war of words with some senior figures at FA.

He is also not put off by criticism he has received for only using the club's marquee signing Juan Mata, now a veteran but a former World Cup winner with Spain in 2010, sparingly since his arrival in Australia. Stajic's opinion is that Mata is merely one cog in the collective wheel, and he has to take all into account when making his team selections.

Can he succeed at Western Sydney where so many others have failed in the post-Popovic era?

The New Year’s Day fixture against local rivals Macarthur will give a further clue as to the progress of the Wanderers under their new coach.

But if they show the commitment and attacking intent they did against the Reds then they may well be in for a revival.

"To come back from 2-0 down and win, not only the winning, just the way we won; the attacking intent, the positivity throughout the team, the willingness to put their body on the line for the 90, 97, 99, 105 minutes, whatever it was," Stajic said after the Adelaide win.

"It shows there is tremendous leadership and character within the group.

"It was an unbelievable performance from our team and one that sets the benchmark for us to be a force in this competition."

Header Image Credit: Western Sydney Wanderers