Dino Kresinger has broken rank from the normally conservative approach coming from the Western Sydney Wanderers camp, insisting they can go all the way to the championship in their debut season.
Dino Kresinger has broken rank from the normally conservative approach coming from the Western Sydney Wanderers camp, insisting they can go all the way to the championship in their debut season.
The Croatian striker had a slow start to life in the Hyundai A-League but has become a crowd favourite at Parramatta Stadium as the Wanderers have surged to third spot and he believes the side isn’t done yet.
While coach Tony Popovic and skipper Michael Beauchamp have consistently tried to play down the Wanderers’ title chances, Kresinger said belief was high the side could now go all the way.
“Yes, that’s now in our minds,” Kresinger told reporters on Wednesday.
“We want to be the best. We are really playing good…we just want to keep winning now.
“We knew it would be tough with a new club, so we needed some time to settle and play good.
“The fans – this is what I didn’t expect – they are unbelievable.”
Popovic was unsurprisingly not so forthright when quizzed about his side’s title credentials, despite being the form side of the competition with seven wins from their last nine matches.
“I don’t know about (going) all the way yet,” Popovic said.
“We had 10 points after nine games. We turned that around in nine matches and now we’re sitting third. So we know with nine games to go it can change again.
“When you’re winning, confidence is high and there’s a lot of belief in the group and they’re enjoying their football.
“We’re pleased with how we’re progressing.”
The Wanderers take on a besieged Adelaide United this Sunday, a club that is still reeling from the sudden resignation of coach John Kosmina.
While the Reds have lost their last two matches – and were beaten 6-1 by the Wanderers when the sides last met – Popovic views this as a danger game for his in-form troops.
“They’re (Adelaide) in a strong position on the table and they’ve got some outstanding players,” the Wanderers boss said.
“Their players are all match winners and can win a game on their day, on their own.
“We were expecting a tough game with or without Kossie and we’re certainly surprised he won’t be there.”
Kresinger added: “You never know what can happen, a new coach can give them something new.
“It would have been better (for us) if the coach had stayed with them but we will see how things end up.”
German defender Jerome Polenz is suspended for the Wanderers with Popovic to decide between Shannon Cole, Tarek Elrich and Iacopo La Rocca for the right-back position.
