For someone who’s known nothing but success during his time with the Western Sydney Wanderers, the club’s difficult start to the Hyundai A-League 2017/18 Season wasn’t easy for Mark Bridge.
In the week before Round 1, coach Tony Popovic dropped a bombshell, quitting the club to take up a job in Turkey.
While they opened the campaign with a win, there was just one victory from the next nine games as the club struggled under new boss Josep Gombau.
Throw in an embarrassing 5-0 derby defeat to fierce rivals Sydney FC and things couldn’t be any lower for the Wanderers’ players, staff and fans.
“The thing I learned most going through this is that if a squad, a club doesn’t stick together, things can go nasty very quickly,” Bridge told www.a-league.com.au.
“You need everyone on the same page, everyone to buy in to where the club is going, otherwise there’s problems.
“All it takes is one bad apple, in the changeroom or in the club, to ruin everything for everyone.”
We caught up with Bridge as part of our “Extra Time” series, discussing the club’s turbulent start to the season and learning a new way under Gombau.
In an honest chat, Bridge talks about the Wanderers’ Finals Series ambitions and earning some Sydney Derby revenge at Allianz Stadium this Sunday night.
WATCH THE INTERVIEW WITH BRIDGE IN THE PLAYER ABOVE
