It’s very much a new start for the Wanderers with a host of new players drafted in to cover for the big number that left the club in the off-season.
It’s left a bit of a question mark over whether the club can sustain their success from the first two seasons but with coach Tony Popovic’s ability to get the best out of any player – and their incredible run to the ACL final – Western Sydney should again be near the front of the pack.
Vitor Saba is a different type of No.10 than Shinji Ono but has shown a few positive signs so far while Romeo Castelen has the huge task of filling the boots of Youssouf Hersi. One thing is for sure, the Wanderers will be stingy at the back, supremely disciplined and have rapturous support behind them wherever they play.
Player price list:
|
Cole |
D |
$314,000 |
|
Covic |
G |
$302,000 |
|
Juric |
F |
$302,000 |
|
Topor-Stanley |
D |
$290,000 |
|
Spiranovic |
D |
$285,000 |
|
Bridge |
F |
$272,000 |
|
Castelen |
M |
$231,000 |
|
Mullen |
D |
$190,000 |
|
Alessi |
D |
$172,000 |
|
Rodrigues Saba |
M |
$163,000 |
|
Poljak |
M |
$159,000 |
|
La Rocca |
M |
$157,000 |
|
Haliti |
F |
$135,000 |
|
Adeleke |
D |
$111,000 |
|
Appiah-Kubi |
F |
$109,000 |
|
Mebrahtu |
F |
$106,000 |
|
Hamill |
D |
$92,000 |
|
Bouzanis |
G |
$91,000 |
|
Fofanah |
M |
$91,000 |
|
Golec |
D |
$91,000 |
|
Perkatis |
M |
$91,000 |
|
Sotirio |
M |
$91,000 |
|
Trifiro |
M |
$91,000 |
Star Man: Mark Bridge($272,000)
A consistent fixture in the Wanderers XI, Bridge looks a good pick-up for fantasy players. He’s not only a proven goal-scorer at Hyundai A-League level but has also improved his passing, decision-making, work-rate and assists in the last couple of years under Popovic.
Bargain Buy:
Labinot Haliti ($135,000)
An unsung hero of the Wanderers, Haliti’s versatility makes him a smart buy. Popovic has shown big faith in Haliti, often playing him in important matches for the club. He can play anywhere in the front four and has the knack of chipping in with important goals.
Likely starting XI: (4-2-3-1)
Ante Covic (GK), Daniel Mullen, Matthew Spiranovic, Nikolai Topor-Stanley, Antony Golec, Mateo Poljak, Iacopo La Rocca, Romeo Castelen, Vitor Saba, Mark Bridge, Tomi Juric
