A-League: Western Sydney Wanderers keep things in perspective with quote from Aussie cricket great
Western Sydney coach Alen Stajcic has tapped into a famous quote from Australian cricket great Keith Miller as the pressure ramps up on his under-performing team.
The Wanderers’ winless run stretched to five games on Thursday night when they suffered a 1-0 A-League Men home loss to Macarthur.
The result left Western Sydney (nine points) second last on the table, a worrying six points adrift of sixth spot.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The Wanderers have posted four losses and a draw since beating Sydney on November 29, with the pressure mounting on Stajcic and his players.
Miller, a fighter pilot in World War II, played 55 Tests for Australia in a glittering career, and used his close shaves in the war to put the pressure of sport into perspective.
Stajcic is employing a similar tactic.
“What’s pressure?” Stajcic asked.
“I put more pressure (on myself) every week than I can get off any fan or any person on social media or club owner or whatever.
“We all want to win. We all work hard.
“The pressure comes from within. Whatever external pressure there is, it can never be bigger than what we put on ourselves.
“Keith Miller said in 1945 that pressure is a Messerschmitt (German fighter plane) up your backside when you’re in World War II.
“Sport’s not pressure, sport’s enjoyment.”
Stajcic believes bad luck has played a significant part in his team’s lack of recent results.
“It’s the story of our season isn’t it,” Stajcic told Paramount.
“We’ve outshot the opposition nearly every game, created probably more chances than the opposition in every game, but you don’t get points for that.
“The execution or the detail around the finishing is just not there
“There’s a little bit of bad luck, we’ve hit the post nine times in 11 games - just that one inch where the ball could go either way.
“This is a bad time for us, it’s a tough time, and this is where characters are made. We’ve got to stand up.”
Thursday’s match could be the last in Wanderers colours for Alex Bonetig, with rumours circulating the defender is off to join an American team in Major League Soccer.
The Wanderers will be back in action on January 10 when they take on Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park.
