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Popovic calls for RBB to come back

Wanderers coach Tony Popovic has called for the Red and Black Bloc to come back for next week's top-of-the-table clash against Melbourne Victory.

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Source: AAP


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It's the competition leaders against the competition favourites.

The Asian Cup champions against the A-League premiers.

And the fans are being urged to come back and watch it.

Melbourne Victory's shock loss to Wellington on Saturday opened the door for a new table-topper to emerge and Western Sydney waltzed through with a deserved 2-1 win over Brisbane later in the day.

It now sets up a mouth-watering blockbuster between the A-League's two heavyweights next Saturday night - one that needs to be matched by the return of the Red and Black Bloc.

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Football Federation Australia sorely needed a mid-season title fight to drown out their off-field issues and they've got it.

Wanderers coach Tony Popovic and his men have been consistent in their support of the active supporters, who remain aggrieved by the FFA's lack of urgency in addressing their concerns.

But if the league's pacesetters had a new message for their fans, Popovic said they spelled it out on the pitch on Saturday night.

"We won the match," he said after Western Sydney notched their sixth win in a row.

"They have their grievance (but) we want them back as soon as possible. I'd love to see them behind the goals, filled to capacity, against the Victory next week."

For the first time since the Wanderers' inception in 2010, Parramatta's northern terrace was conspicuously empty against the Roar.

"Was it noticeable? For me, yes," Popovic said.

"Of course we'd notice they're not there, because they create such an amazing atmosphere.

"But we also said we can play our part by performing and winning the game. And we did that tonight."

Popovic said the team was looking forward to testing themselves against Kevin Muscat's side, who will be eager to atone for their surprise 2-0 defeat to the Phoenix.

"We know next week will be difficult. They're the champions. They're the benchmark," he said.

"We want to test ourselves next week and hopefully we can have another magical moment and walk off victorious again."


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