Western Sydney Wanderers head coach Markus Babbel has praised his team’s improved mentality ahead of tomorrow’s away match against Western United at GMHBA Stadium.
Western Sydney Wanderers head coach Markus Babbel has praised his team’s improved mentality ahead of tomorrow’s away match against Western United at GMHBA Stadium.
Unbeaten in their opening four games of the Hyundai A-League season, the Wanderers have shown great resilience in their three wins and a draw.
While Babbel acknowledges the side has yet to reach the quality of football he expects from them, he is nonetheless delighted with their unflinching attitude and mental character.
“Of course, the results are fantastic … top, top, but we also we have to improve our game,” said Babbel.
“Tactically, we didn’t do everything right, so we have to improve there.
“We can play better football and this is what I like about this team because this is a team now that don’t want to lose.
“Last year it was different, but now it is a great sign for me to see the guys they always want to get a result and even if we are not playing this well, if you don’t play well you don’t have to lose.
“They are fighting for the result and, of course, there’s a bit of luck on our side but also we can improve. We can play a better style of football because we have the quality in our team and if we can bring it on the pitch everything is possible.”
The Wanderers will meet a very experienced Western United side that has opened a few eyes with their results to date. The fledgling club sits fourth on the table with seven points from two wins and a draw.
“We played against them in the pre-season and you could see this a strong side. We drew there,” said Babbel.
“They have many individually good players, but also as a team they are working well and it is not a big surprise that they beat Melbourne Victory because they have the quality.
“If they get the chances they can score, but it is up to us because we are also a strong side and if we bring our performance on the pitch then I am very optimistic.”
One of the Victorian side’s key players is Italian Alessandro Diamanti who has shown he is still a class act.
“He is a top class player and you can see a couple of reasons why he played in the Italian national team and was very successful in his career,” Babbel said of Diamanti.
“It is great to see him here in Australia because this is exactly what the league needs, a player like him.
“But, we want to stop him and we know this is not easy because he is a smart player, he is very clever.
“We have to find ways. I think we have already found something, but we have to bring it on the pitch because he’s a player who can make a difference.”
