I know it’s not going to last for much longer because these type of runs never do in Australia, and the law of averages will also have its say. However, I can’t deny that City are playing some bloody marvellous football at the moment, and I really don’t see any A-League team that can deal with them whilst they’re in this mode. I mean, if they were capable of playing with this level of consistency, they’d have won some titles in recent years because quality has never been a problem area for them.
What I like the most about City at the moment is that they’re flexible in what they do with winning the sole target. If they have to play a more rigid game without the ball, focusing more on organisation and clinical finishing, then they can. If they are asked to participate in a more open, free-flowing game with lots of space to exploit then they will. It doesn’t matter what they’re up against; they’re coming up trumps. I say the above in the knowledge that City don’t always get to pick what side of their opponents they get to see too. It’s a really impressive setup they’ve got right now.
I think City have resolved their weaknesses really well over the past month or so, which helps. The continued absence of O’Neill in midfield should hurt them a lot more than it has been, and props to boss Kisnorbo for that. They look a lot more composed on the ball, a lot more assured when defending against a wide variety of attacks (especially with Reis now in the equation), and devastatingly clinical in front of goal. It’s not a secret that MacLaren is a brilliant striker at this level, but the composure now shown by Metcalfe, Noone, and even sometimes Nabbout is very impressive.
They look the real deal, City. Again, I don’t see it lasting because it’s not in their makeup to be consistent, and because the quality gap in the A-League is not very big – if even present at all. I remember watching City in the reversal of today’s fixture a few weeks back, and I’ve not seen an Australian team this season to do Western Sydney Wanderers what they did. City suppressed them from start to finish, took their chances better, and looked like they were facing a team of amateurs. It was a seriously professional and tactically perfect display; probably the best example of such I’ve seen in the A-League this season. I’ve not seen anything of late to suggest that we won’t see a repeat here, basically.
True enough, I doubt Troisi will be handling the ball in the box this time around but I’m struggling to envision a route to goal for Western Sydney Wanderers. In general, they rely upon their athleticism in the final third to trouble teams but City look too organised for that to trouble them. Duke will be a threat in the air, of course, and the wing-backs of the away team will need to be marshalled properly because they’re fast, confident, and good crossers. Other than that though, I don’t really see what Western Sydney Wanderers have to offer that City should have a sleepless night about.
For what it’s worth, I do like Western Sydney Wanderers. I think Robinson has done a good job since he’s come in, and he now only has veteran shot stopper Janjetovic on the sidelines with both O’Doherty and Mourdoukoutas returning to the equation today. Robinson has made them a lot more dangerous than they were on a more consistent basis. I still think that they waste far too many chances (despite re-signing Duke) but creating should be enough against most teams at this level. City aren’t ‘most teams’ right now though.
I also struggle to accept the Western Sydney Wanderers defence. Individually, they’re all good, and I can only pick fault with Mourdoukoutas this season, which I suppose is to be expected from a youngster. Gordon has had a lot of praise lately, and rightly so, but they’ve all pulled their weight, including promising youngster Natta, whom I have high hopes for due to his composure on the ball, not to mention his awareness. However, as a unit, Western Sydney Wanderers struggle to contain teams. In one-on-one battles they’re fine, but against tactical attacks, they really struggle – and that’s where City shine the most.
With that in mind, I’m expecting a repeat of the reversal of this fixture. Another professional City display should result in a solid win, and that’s why I’m on the -1 Asian Handicap for the hosts today, who have now comfortably dealt with most of the best A-League attacks this season without even conceding a goal in recent times. Again, I know their run won’t last forever, but I’m sure you can see why I think it’s worth the risk to take the tip on today.
