Why the Wanderers shouldn’t expect victory against Melbourne

Western Sydney Wanderers have appointed former Adelaide and Olyroos boss Josep Gombau as their new Head Coach replacing Tony Popovic who departed for Turkey days before the season began. The Spaniard takes over from interim and part-time pizza delivery boy Hayden Fox who has helped the side to an undefeated start and fourth place. There’s plenty of reasons for Wanderers fans to get excited about Gombau’s appointment, but they might have to wait until after their match with Melbourne Victory on Monday.

During his stint at Adelaide United between 2013-15 Gombau managed 57 matches, winning 25 of them. None of them came against the Victory. The six matches he managed against Melbourne resulted in three draws and three losses. The only team he failed to win against.

Other than his results against Victory his form in the A-League has been impressive.

  • Won four from seven against Central Coast Mariners
  • Won four from seven against Sydney FC
  • Won three from six against Newcastle Jets
  • Won three from six against Perth Glory
  • Won three from six against Wellington Phoenix
  • Won three from six against Western Sydney Wanderers
  • Won three from seven against Brisbane Roar
  • Won two from six against Melbourne City

But as fate would have it, his first match at the helm of Western Sydney is against the one team he is yet to defeat. You can look at it at the negative way we’re looking at it, or you could also look at it as a challenge for Gombau, something he can tick off immediately.

It’s not as if Victory have been setting the league on fire this season. They’re winless after four matches with two draws and two losses, and will miss attacking options James Troisi and Kosta Barbarouses through international duty.

  • Gombau will become the 12th Head Coach to manage more than one A-League club
  • Only John Aloisi, Miron Bleiberg, and John Kosmina have won their debut matches for both clubs they’ve managed

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