Football Season Guide

Western Sydney Wanderers

In


Kosta Barbarouses (att), transfer from Wellington Phoenix. Steve Ugarkovic (mid), transfer from Melbourne City. Alexander Badolato (att), loan expired. Phillip Čančar (def), transfer from Newcastle Jets. Alou Kuol (att), transfer from Central Coast Mariners. Ben Mewett (def), transfer from Central Coast Mariners. Marcus Younis (mid), loan expired. Ruon Tongyik (def), free transfer. Bozhidar Kraev (mid), free transfer. Angus Thurgate (mid), transfer from Western United.

Out


Nicolas Milanovic (k) (mid), transfer to Aberdeen. Zac Sapsford (r) (mid), transfer to Dundee United. Marcus Antonsson (sp) (att), contract expired. Dean Pelekanos (sp) (mid), contract expired. Tae-wook Jeong (r) (def), loan expired. Taiga Oliver Harper (gk), contract expired. Akol Akon (att), transfer to Sydney FC. Alexander Badolato (att), mutual termination. James Temelkovski (sp) (att), transfer to Tai Po. Marcus Younis (mid), transfer to Brondby. Oscar Priestman (sp) (mid), transfer to Motherwell. Juan Mata (sp) (mid), contract expired. Jack Clisby (sp) (def), mutual termination.

Finished 4th in the A-League last season, which was respectable enough. They were disappointed though, given how dynamic they were in attack for long periods. They should really done have more to capitalise upon their good moments but ultimately fell short. That chance may not present itself again this season now that they've lost players like Sapsford and Milanovic in attack. Even Mata and Priestman moved on, which denies them options in midfield. It's not a disaster but it's going to take substantial work to deal with those players leaving. They have signed some very experienced heads to bridge the gap whilst long-term solutions are found. Barbarouses/Kuol have joined in attack, Ugarkovic/Thurgate in midfield, and Cancar/Tongyik are back at the club in defence. Kraev was the big one, although Thurgate could prove just as pivotal. All of them know the A-League well enough by now. Stajcic is key to their success though. This team needs a strong-minded, attacking manager, and he is that. If anyone can get Kuol to remember how good he can be, it's Stajcic. They're perhaps walking on thin ice depth-wise in defence but other than that, it's a good group of players. They may not be able to hit the ground running straightaway but in due course they should be good.

Target


Club aim - 1-3 Realistic aim - 4-6