Former Wanderer and west Sydney local Tarek Elrich has heaped praise on former coach Tony Popovic ahead of Adelaide’s clash against last season’s premiers.
Former Wanderer and west Sydney local Tarek Elrich has heaped praise on former coach Tony Popovic ahead of Adelaide’s clash against last season’s premiers.
The Reds defender is all too aware of the drive and focus that defined the Wanderers last season, but is determined to produce a good performance for his new team on Friday.
Adelaide was on the wrong side of a 6-1 thrashing against the Wanderers last season and Elrich knows his former team-mates will be eager to produce a similar performance.
“Tony Popovic is the one that demands the most from the boys, he set a target for us last year and that was for us to win the league and we did that,” said Elrich.
“He would expect the same this year, if not more, so for us we have to know that we are going to Parramatta Stadium and it’s not going to be an easy task, they’re a great team, well organised and we just have to be up for it.”
Adelaide have gone through major changes since last season with the arrival of Josep Gombau as head coach and the introduction of several new players.
Among those new arrivals, Elrich hopes that a bit of insider knowledge from his Wanderers days will help the Reds earn all three points in Parramatta.
“We’ve got a different style of football to the 6-1 thrashing that they [Adelaide] copped last season,” he said.
“Different coach, different style, new players so hopefully that doesn’t happen again … I do know their game a bit and whatever information I can give to help the boys I will.”
Well aware of his connection to ‘Wanderland’, Elrich has played down the return to his old side, choosing instead to focus on performing well for his new club.
“It’s not about myself and them, it’s more about the team,” said the 26-year-old.
“I’ll make sure I do what I’m here to do and stick to the game plan, I won’t step out of that to please people that have got nothing to do with our team.”
Allowing for a little bit of nostalgia, Elrich is confident that there will be a good crowd at Pirtek Stadium and expects his former supporters to be as rowdy as ever.
“Their fans are amazing, very loud and very passionate about football,” said Elrich.
“It’s a great atmosphere and I can just imagine a packed stadium this week to watch a good game between quality opposition.”
Adelaide will be hoping to see the return of Argentines Jeronimo Neumann and Marcelo Carrusca for the match, with the pair missing the last round due to groin injuries.
“They are great players to come back for us and it’s something that we have been missing but we’re looking forward to them returning on the pitch,” he said.
With the star duo in contention, but no certainties to return, their availability could prove the decisive factor in Adelaide bouncing back from defeat against Central Coast last time out.
HAVE YOU POWERED THE GAME YET
Adelaide United fan Filomena Giglio cheers the Reds by:
“NEVER STOP SINGING AND SHOUTING EVEN WHEN I AM THE ONLY ONE – TO NEVER GIVE UP ON MY CLUB!”
