Wanderers head coach Markus Babbel has called on his players to have their “chest out and head high” as they prepare to face defending Hyundai A-League Premiers Perth Glory at HBF Stadium on Saturday.
Babbel said the confidence and belief of the players and coaching staff remains as high as ever as the Red & Black look to end a frustrating and unlucky run of results over the past four weeks.
The Wanderers come up against a Glory side that bounced back from a loss to Melbourne Victory with a comprehensive and impressive 3-0 win over Melbourne City last week.
Babbel knows just how difficult it will be to cross the Nullarbor and return with the three competition points.
“There is no difference (to before) because we are in the right way,” said Babbel.
“For the last weeks we have done well in training, but the results are not there.
“We are playing a very good side with many talented individual players, but we go there with our chest out and head up.
“We also have a very good side, a talented side. So now it is just about the belief we can get the result on the weekend.
“The team is in the right way and we need bit of match luck and some hard work and I am sure it will come.”
Babbel said the results haven’t been indicative of the performances from his players and pointed to the fact they could easily have secured another seven points with just an ounce of luck.
“It’s hard for us because we miss now seven points. If you see the table and you have seven points more, then you can see where we are,” said Babbel.
The Wanderers will be coming off an unfortunate 2-1 loss to Wellington Phoenix last week, a match Babbel said his side should never have lost.
“The first half against Wellington was the best since I have been here,” said Babbel.
“We did so many things so good, but we couldn’t score.
“This is the main thing. We have to work on things to take this target, take these opportunities if they are there.”
The Wanderers will be facing their third away trip in succession, including the two longest (Phoenix and Perth) in the Hyundai A-League.
“This is tough for the boys … it is not easy,” said Babbel.
“Also, the temperature in Perth will be 40 degrees. It will be hot for us and with the time difference and long flight it will be hard on the legs.
“But, it is what it is. We are professionals and have to handle this and we will handle this.”
