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Rudan ready for run of April fixtures

Head coach Mark Rudan on the Wanderers six fixtures in the month of April.

To view all the fixtures click here.

The Wanderers final fixtures of the 2021/22 season were confirmed last week with the Red & Black set to play a number of sides in both mid-week and weekend fixtures across the country.

The certainty of the next month has set head coach Mark Rudan and his team up with an opportunity to build some important momentum leading into the end of the season.

“It’s great and it’s fantastic that they are locked in and we know our dates,” said Rudan.

“It’s fantastic knowing that all these teams are in and around us, we’re not playing anyone that’s in the Top Five so it’s really within our hands.

“If we can go on a run, and the expectation is for us to do that and perform admirably, then it’s going to be a positive outcome.

“I’m really positive about what the next month or so holds for us.”

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 05: Wanderers coach, Mark Rudan offers support to his team at full time during the round 7 A-League match between Western Sydney Wanderers and Western United at CommBank Stadium, on February 05, 2022, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

The Wanderers will kick the month of April off with the blockbuster Sydney Derby at Nestrata Jubilee Stadium on Saturday night before returning back home to Wanderland the following weekend to host Brisbane Roar.

Following the match against the Roar, the Red & Black will play in consecutive mid-week home matches against Central Coast and Newcastle Jets before travelling to both Auckland and Perth to round out April.

Looking ahead to the six fixtures, Rudan has laid the groundwork for the team to perform to his expectations.

“I feel like they are conditioned better (the players) now as well so they’re in a better state,” said Rudan.

“They understand their roles and responsibilities as well, so there’s not really too much for them to learn going forward in terms of tactically how to break through teams and they know all their set-ups now.

“We’ve worked a lot on shape so I can’t wait and I’m looking forward to it.”

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 27: Steven Ugarkovic of the Wanderers celebrates after scoring a penalty during the A-League Mens match between Melbourne Victory and Western Sydney Wanderers at AAMI Park, on March 27, 2022, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

The next month will be make or break for the Wanderers Finals Series hopes with Rudan confident that the Red & Black can push on with some positive performances.

“I think the players should be in the same boat as well (about being excited for the month of April). It’s all forward from here and it’s all positive as far as I’m concerned,” said Rudan.

“It’s just about making sure we prepare them right and they go and execute a performance as expected.”

To view the Wanderers fixture for the month of April click here.