Western Sydney Wanderers coach Tony Popovic plans to rejuvenate his squad in the upcoming transfer window as new keeper Vedran Janjetovic settles in well at Wanderland.
Having spent the last five seasons with Sydney FC, Janjetovic this week became the first player to trade sky blue for red and black when he signed an 18-month deal.
The 29-year-old will not be eligible to play for his new club until the New Year but the signs are promising he’ll fill a position that’s been problematic for the Wanderers this season.
“We’re delighted he’s here with us. He’s happy, he’s fitting in with the group so we’re delighted,” Popovic told reporters on Thursday.
“He’s only done a couple of lighter sessions with us so far. We’ll be able to determine a lot more by the end of next week’s training where he is, in terms of being able to play.”
And there could well be more new signings. Reports suggest that striker Kerem Bulut, 24, has played his last match for the Wanderers.
If Bulut – who was listed as having an ankle injury and is out of tonight’s match in Brisbane – departed it would open up another striking spot.
No matter which position, though, Popovic clearly is going to explore all avenues in the window.
“Sometimes you try and get someone and it’s not made possible or the player decides to go elsewhere.
“We’re trying to add quality to the squad and if we can do that, if we can find someone and it fits in both commercially and on the playing field we’ll do it.
“If it doesn’t then we can only control what we can. We’re searching, we’re looking, we’ll try make the most of the transfer window in January if we can, if we don’t then we move on.”
The seventh placed Wanderers will look to get their stuttering campaign back on track against the Roar at Suncorp Stadium this evening.
Still smarting from surrendering a two goal advantage in last weekend’s draw with the Phoenix, Popovic believes the club’s points tally is not a fair indication of their performances this season.
“There’s not a lot wrong, so we don’t need to look at many different things as to why we’re not getting the points that we want,” said Popovic.
“There’s always something you can do better but we feel we’re constantly improving.
“We feel the performances are there regardless of the previous results.
“The players are very positive, the belief is there, they’re playing good football, the quality is there but we’re not getting the result that we need.”
