Duke's Dominance

Since arriving at the Red & Black in January, forward Mitchell Duke has proven to be the spark the Wanderers have needed.

The Western Sydney local made an immediate impact on his debut for the club, scoring a consolation goal in the sides 5-1 thumping to the Newcastle Jets.

Since that match, there has been a noticeable turnaround for the side who have now gone on a four-match unbeaten streak.

For Duke, the change in the Wanderers recent results all comes down to the team’s change in attitude.

“I think there’s a lot more belief in the squad, obviously the first game I was involved in was a 5-1 loss but since then we have reset our goals to finish the season and everyone has really followed through with them,” said Duke to FOX SPORTS following Friday night’s win over Brisbane Roar.

“Everyone has had such good confidence and belief in themselves, really just playing it through.”

A new set of goals was commissioned by the team and head coach Markus Babbel to ensure that the Red & Black finished their final season at Sydney Olympic Park on a high.

“We wrote down a list after the Newcastle game with the boys. It was with the coach and the team, we all set them together, words and key phrases that we should focus on and strive to each time we go out in a game,” explained Duke.

“The boys have really followed through with the hard work, discipline and individual jobs.

“Just things like that we wrote down on the list. We set other football targets as well with a certain amount of clean sheets and goals scored, short-term goals and going game-by-game and it’s worked out well so far since that Newcastle game.”

The forward featured in most of the Wanderers clash on Friday night and was substituted early in the 65th minute for fellow January transfer window signing Kwame Yeboah who made his return from injury.

“I felt a bit tired to be honest which is why I asked to come off,” said Duke.

“I had almost seven weeks off before I came to the Wanderers, so it’s going to take a bit of time.

“I’ve got a good solid 60 minutes in me, but it also showed that I have a good solid 60 minutes in me and then after that my legs went.”

Duke and the Wanderers will now turn their attention to Sunday night’s fixture against high-flying Wellington Phoenix in Round 22 of the Hyundai A-League.