Will Booth 
Western Sydney Wanderers 23/24 Season Review. Photo: Western Sydney Wanderers. Design: Round Ball Australia
After a promising start to the season, the Western Sydney Wanderers lost their way in a campaign that contained some highs, but mostly lows as they limped their way to seventh spot.
An undefeated streak after the first six games of the season had the Wanderers setting the pace early in the league, however the form took a sharp downturn from this point onwards and consistency was hard to find.
Coming off their strongest season in six years, having secured a top six finish in the previous campaign, things were looking up for the Sydney side who were subject to plenty of player movement in either direction during the off-season.
Losing many parts of their core from the 22/23 season, their business seemed apt as they made like-for-like replacements in most areas of the pitch.
They were unable to retain Morgan Schneiderlin, who returned to parent club Nice after his loan spell, but bringing in Jorrit Hendrix seemed like a smart acquisition.
Amor Layouni left the club after his successful loan spell too and was a key reason the team finished the previous season on a high.
In Marcus Antonsson it looked like they had another talisman lined up to replace the missing goal threat, however the signings made didn’t fire in the same way their predecessors did and this was a large reason why the season petered out.
Brandon Borello, who had looked sublime since his return to the league, suffered a broken foot part-way through the season, and managed to only net once adding to the issues that the Wanderers faced in their striker department.
Shipping 14 goals in 3 pivotal games proved to be their downfall, sliding down the table to a position where they found themselves with too much ground to make up in the last few rounds.
Season Grade: C-
Whilst there were solitary matches where the football was clicking, these games were too few and far between to build any sort of momentum.
Marko Rudan was unable to string together a set of results, and from the promising path the club seemed to be set on, this season was a step backwards and can be graded as an optimistic C-.
For a club with the financial backing, academy and talent pool accessible to them, this season was well below par and work will need to be done to build the club up to the heights of their first couple of seasons in the competition.
Highlight: Derby delight
Getting one over Sydney FC is always a highlight of the season for the Wanderers, but this one lifted the spirits for sure.
With the Wanderers away from home, their derby record wouldn’t have inspired confidence leading into the game, but they were up for it on the night and ground Sydney FC down with a 1-0 victory in the end.
To top it off, it was former Sydney FC youth player Zac Sapsford who sealed the win, showing no regrets in his move across town with a passionate celebration on a memorable night.
Lowlight: Drubbing at City
In a run of games that began with a 4-1 loss in the Sydney derby, the Wanderers would go on to ship 14 goals in just three games, with the final loss being the worst of them all.
A 7-0 dismantling at the hands of Melbourne City dropped morale to its lowest point in the season, and to rub salt into the wounds, former Wanderer Terry Antonis rounded the night out with one of the goals of the season, lobbing Larwence Thomas with a volley from the centre circle.
The scenes from the sideline following the match weren’t pretty, as players were seen in heated conversations with Marko Rudan, with talk of disharmony in the dressing room coming to light soon after the match.
This loss was perhaps only made slightly more palatable after Perth Glory went on to concede eight against City later in the season.
New coach, same worries?
The club are in need of a refresh at this stage, and with Marko Rudan leaving the team at the completion of the season after his contract was mutually terminated, the path is set for a new manager to come in and make their mark.
This appointment is an important one that the club must get right, with the underlying foundations in Western Sydney seemingly there, a need for a manager who is willing to nurture a young and talented cohort of players is top priority.
The Wanderers a crying out for someone ready to buy into a longer-term project and look towards the wholistic progression of the club.
Recent rumours of Alen Stajcic’s attachment to the role, per News Corp, may just be the tonic the club needs.
Individual Performers
There are not many more obvious picks for players having a breakout season in the A-Leagues than the Wanderers’ Nicolas Milanovic.
He was at times the only bright spot in an otherwise underwhelming side, as he stormed his way to nine goals and five assists throughout the campaign.
A constant threat down the Wanderers’ left side, causing trouble to most teams over the course of the season, he was rewarded with a call up to the Olyroos, as well as a rumoured transfer.
- Player of the Year Award: Nicolas Milanovic
- Members Player of the Year: Nicolas Milanovic
- Wanderers Medal: Marcelo
- Golden Boot: Lachlan Brook & Nicolas Milanovic
Conclusion
The next managerial appointment will play a big role in the trajectory of the club from this point forward.
Precariously hanging between success and failure currently, the side only needs a gentle push in the right direction to restore some of their previous glory.
Building upon the foundations that exist, the club is set up to succeed with a passionate fan base who expect more than they are currently getting.
The Western Sydney Wanderers are at an important juncture, and they need to get the next couple of decisions right in order to compete for titles once more.