Popovic quells derby excitement

Western Sydney coach Tony Popovic admits he’s had to make sure his side have come down from the high of their derby win as they prepare for Adelaide United.

Western Sydney Wanderers coach Tony Popovic admits he’s had to make sure his side have come down from the high of their derby win last weekend as they prepare for their biggest challenge yet on Friday night.

The Wanderers have surged up to fourth on the Hyundai A-League ladder on the back of two straight wins ahead of their clash with in-form Adelaide at Parramatta Stadium.

While the competition new-boys have impressed many with their strong form so far this season, they have only beaten one side (Perth) that are currently in the top six.

It’s why Popovic is refusing to get carried away with the hype surrounding his side, well aware how quickly things can change especially if they underperform against the high-flying Reds.

“I’ve really had to make sure the players are focused and bring them down to earth a little bit this week,” Popovic told reporters on Thursday.

“While it was a derby win it’s done and dusted now … we’ve got to move on to the next challenge.

“Kossie’s (Reds coach John Kosmina) got a very good team there and they seem to be growing in confidence and they seem to be scoring at will at the moment.

“We know it will be tough but it’s always nice to come up against a side that’s in a good vein of form.

“But we’ve got a group of players that are looking forward to that challenge … they are focused and hungry and it will be a great test for us.”

Adelaide won the previous encounter between the two sides 1-0 at Hindmarsh Stadium back in round two and come into this clash on the back of four wins from their last five games.

But Wanderers skipper Michael Beauchamp is confident his side would be a much tougher proposition for the free-scoring Reds this time around.

“We’re a lot more together and we know each other a lot better now,” Beauchamp said.

“The last few games we’ve played really well and this is another stepping stone for us.

“We want to go out there against another top team and show what we can do … it’s a good opportunity to get in there and see where we’re at.”

Asked the key to beating the Reds and keeping the likes of Marcelo Carrusca, Fabio Ferreira and Dario Vidosic quiet, Beauchamp said: “It’s definitely not going to be easy.

“We just need to keep the defence tight and when we push forward try and be clinical and hit the back of the net.

“We’re starting to create a lot more chances. We’re one of the teams that has created the most chances and had the most shots on goal and once they start hitting the back of the net it’s a chance for us to start winning games two or three nil.”