Wanderers Hyundai A-League interim head coach Jean-Paul de Marigny on the team’s progression in training and new signing Tristan Prendergast.
Wanderers Hyundai A-League interim head coach Jean-Paul de Marigny on the team’s progression in training and new signing Tristan Prendergast.
Yesterday, the Red & Black’s fixtures for the remainder of the 2019/20 Hyundai A-League season were confirmed with the club playing their final five matches over a blockbuster three weeks.
The Wanderers have been out of action since the Sydney Derby in late March and only recently returned back to training at the club’s Centre of Football.
For de Marigny and the players, the jam-packed fixture is an exciting opportunity to finish what they started.
“It’s exciting, the boys have worked well the last couple weeks and now that we know the fixture, we know exactly how to prepare the team and you know, we’re all very excited about it,” said de Marigny.
“Look, we had a fair idea that this was going to be the case (five matches in three weeks) prior so our whole program is based on that.
“The program focuses on playing football on a regular basis, recovering in between, getting the tactical side right and it’s exciting moments.”
The Wanderers have been back at training for two weeks now with de Marigny happy with the team’s daily improvements.
“Very good. The players are very upbeat and they are progressing well. The data is very positive,” explained de Marigny.
“Their recovery in between the work is getting quicker, which means they are getting fitter. There is a real positive vibe around the joint.”
With only five games left of the regular season, the Red & Black still have a chance to make the Finals Series, sitting one point outside the Top Six in eighth.
“Our goal hasn’t changed since the season stopped. For us, it’s to make sure we finish what we started. The players are aware and very driven to reach their goals,” explained de Marigny.
“First step is to get to the Finals. From there, Finals football is a one-off and it’s exciting.
“There’s no tomorrow so we’ll push the envelope right to the edge. We’ll see how good we are.”
The Wanderers also bolstered their goalkeeping stocks today with the signing of NSW National Premier League goalkeeper Tristan Prendergast from Blacktown City.
A custodian of the National Premier League competition, the 25-year-old has some Hyundai A-League experience under his belt, having signed for the club’s cross-city rivals in 2019 for a pre-season tour.
“It’s a great opportunity for him, to show us his ability,” said de Marigny on Prendergast.
“He’s training well and the group has accepted him very well. So he’s very comfortable and feels at home.”
