After missing the finals for 3 seasons in a row, following last season’s 9th place finish, Wanderers fans were hoping new manager Carl Robinson could be the man to break the cycle and bring some much needed stability to the club.
So far though, Wanderers have been anything but stable with both the second highest goals scored and the second highest goals conceded.
For a neutral, this season must be one of excitement however for a Wanderers fan they must just be wondering which side will turn up every week.
With former captain Mitch Duke coming back midway through the season on loan (Al-Taawoun) and immediately hitting the ground running, Bruce Kamau hitting career best form and a mixture of big names and experience dotted throughout the squad, the Wanderers have once again languished behind the pack failing to make the finals once again.
Current position: 9th
Points: 31
Manager: Carl Robinson
Captain: Dylan McGowan
Key players:
Dylan McGowan: The one time Socceroo seems to have really found a home at the Wanderers after a few seasons abroad across Europe and Asia.
Captaining the side and leading by example at the back, McGowan has been a calm and collected figure in what has otherwise been a pretty inconsistent Wanderers side.
With a great passing game, the ability to link defence and attack and great leadership, the Wanderers have looked better with McGowan in the squad, then with him out.
Graham Dorrans: The former Premier League player and Scotland international has been a favourite of manager Robinson this season.
A hard-nosed, tough tackling midfielder, Dorrans has provided some steel in midfield for the wanderers this season, with the ability to hit a ball from long range too.
Mitch Duke: Last season’s captain Duke returned to the Wanderers in February on loan, after a difficult season in the Middle East.
As soon as Duke put on the red and black again though, he immediately found the form that had earned him a spot in the Socceroos.
Fast, strong and with a good eye for goal, Duke can really turn a game on its head and is absolutely the key player for Western Sydney.
What they need to do: Find some consistency
Make no bones about it, the Wanderers have been the most inconsistent team in the league this season, with eight wins, seven draws and nine loses they need to find some consistency and fast.
Wanderers boss Robinson will be hoping that new signing Steve Ugarkovic help fix some of their midfield woes, but can he inspire the Wanderers to their first finals finish in 3 seasons?
Only time will tell.
Predicted finish: 7th
Image credit – Getty
