Wanderers interim head coach Jean-Paul de Marigny expects his team to bounce back quickly from last week’s disappointing result when they play Melbourne City at AAMI Park on Saturday.
Describing the 3-1 loss to Brisbane Roar as a “little setback”, de Marigny says the group has moved on and believes they will be in the best frame of mind going into a game they need to win to stay in finals contention.
De Marigny admitted the players learned some valuable lessons from their first defeat in five games since he took charge in late January.
“Without doubt,” said de Marigny when it was suggested coaches and players sometimes learn more in defeat than in victory.
“It was a little setback for us but one thing we learned is that our mindset going into the game is important.
“Once we do that, then we communicate with each other much better and that makes a big difference. That’s what we learned the most.
“For me, it was the (lack of) energy. But, we have moved on from that and taken responsibility and we have learned from it and now it is all about Melbourne City.”
The Red & Black face a tough assignment against a City side coming off a solid 3-2 win away to Perth Glory last week.
City are still in contention for the Premier’s Plate and will be keen to add the Wanderers scalp to their record for the second time this season, while a win for the Red & Black could see them join the logjam for sixth spot.
The last time the two sides met back in round seven in November, the Wanderers were unfortunate not to get at least a point in going down 3-2 to a late Jamie Maclaren goal.
De Marigny understands the quality the Victorians have, especially their strength in attack.
“They are good side, have some good players and are very well-coached,” said the former Socceroo.
“But, we also have a lot of threats and we are one of the form teams at the moment.
“There are a few areas where we feel we can hurt them and we feel we are ready for those moments.
“We need to be brave and play those forward passes into those areas.”
Aside from the absence of the suspended Daniel Georgievski, de Marigny said he will have close to a full squad from which to choose for the game.
Georgievski is serving the last week of a two-week suspension but, importantly, will be back for the Sydney Derby at Bankwest Stadium next Saturday.
