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Duke hungry to turn around Derby history

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Wanderers captain Mitchell Duke said it’s a scary feeling to think that there is still so much improvement to come from the team ahead of the top-of-the-table Sydney Derby clash at Bankwest Stadium on Saturday night.Ā 

Wanderers captain Mitchell Duke said it’s a scary feeling to think that there is still so much improvement to come from the team ahead of the top-of-the-table Sydney Derby clash at Bankwest Stadium on Saturday night. 

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As much as he is delighted with the clubā€™s unbeaten start in the opening two rounds of the Hyundai A-League season, Duke admitted they are still some way from reaching their peak.

ā€œWe are happy to be the underdogs. Sydney deserve to be favourites as they have dominated the last few years,ā€ Duke told Laurie Daley and Dave Stanley on the Big Sports Breakfast this morning.

ā€œThat just makes us hungrier. We are back on our home ground, where we have been away from for the last three seasons, so itā€™s all for us to take.

ā€œIf it is anything to go by in the first two games, we are not at our best peak and we will only get better which is a scary thing.

ā€œSydney will have a game on their hands and I reckon we can take them out.ā€

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NEW LOOK WANDERERS

Duke said it is a much different Wanderers side to previous seasons, explaining that the club has done very well in the off-season recruitment.

ā€œWe have recruited really well. There is a lot of experienced players right through the spine of the team,ā€ the inspirational attacker said.

ā€œ(Goalkeeper) Daniel Lopar, Dylan McGowan, Matt Jurman, Pirmin Schwegler and Alex Meier have strengthened us all through the centre of the pitch.

ā€œAlex and Pirmin played years and years in the German Bundesliga, a top league in Europe and for them to bring their quality and experience to us is a huge help.

ā€œWe have a really strong structure at the back. The defence has improved since last season and that is a massive boost. We attacked well last season and created a lot of chances but we were always conceding goals. That is not happening this year.ā€

Duke

According to Duke, the squad is now mentally a lot tougher. 

ā€œThatā€™s it. All the boys are a bit hungrier and out to prove a point given the last few seasons,ā€ he replied when it was suggested there is a stronger resolve at the club.

ā€œThe boss (head coach Markus Babbel) has set a certain expectation as well. We just go out each game pretty much with a winning mentality and not to let any team dominate us.

ā€œWe have set targets for the season and that is to be top of the table.ā€