Wanderers head coach Markus Babbel said his players are growing in confidence and has urged them to continue to “stick together” as the club looks to build on last week’s outstanding win against Adelaide United.
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In producing one of their best performances of the season, the Red & Black broke a six match winless streak in beating the Reds 3-2 on their own turf after surviving a controversial finish to the game.
However, the win came at a cost with influential midfielder Pirmin Schwegler picking up his fifth yellow card of the season which will see him miss the Round 13 Hyundai A-League game against Brisbane Roar at Bankwest Stadium tonight.
As well, the club will be without midfielder Keanu Baccus and defender Tass Mourdoukoutas with the duo having been selected in a 23-man Olyroos squad for the Olympic Games qualifying tournament next month.
Still, while admitting it is a tough situation, Babbel has every confidence in the mental toughness and fighting qualities of his players.
“Every win helps for the mood, the confidence. It was a tough game (against Adelaide), especially in the end mentally tough for us,” said Babbel.
“We got the win so now we try to do it again.
“Absolutely, it (the situation regarding Schwegler and the Olyroos) is tough.
“But, it is like it is. There is a problem and we have to find solutions and I think we found the solutions.
“I trust the boys that can play there and we have to stick together, even more now.
“When we have a tough period we come more together, so now we want it because our heart is missing. If you miss three players who can play there then you are coming problems.”
While he gave nothing away in terms of who will replace Schwegler and Baccus, Babbel said he has faith in the players who will come in.
Despite the issues regarding the loss of young players to representative duties, Babbel said it would not sway his thinking in terms of developing young players.
Unlike some clubs that rely almost solely on experienced players, the German is keen to help Australian soccer and the Hyundai A-League in general.
“Our philosophy is we want to bring our Academy players into the first team, it has nothing to do with the national team, it is our target,” said Babbel.
“I understand, if you see Sydney FC, they only play with adults, there’s no young ones in the starting side so I understand every team who wants to win the title they say ‘no, I don’t choose the young ones’ but it is not good for Australian football.
“Melbourne City, us now, and other teams are doing really good things with young ones, but you get punished.
“We are very proud they can play for the national team, but it is tough for us to miss them and we will miss them.”
