Five things we learned from A-League Round 23

A City without Heart, big-name returns and big-game blessings capped off an intriguing round of A-League football this past weekend.

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Go Western United?

Melbourne Heart’s 2009 introduction offered fans an answer to Melbourne Victory’s monopoly, but now, some decade later, it’s City supporters at the crossroads.

Disgruntled with their club’s change in identity, or lack thereof, City fans’ fumbling affiliation may soon travel west to newer pastures.

Poor management from the City Football Group right through to coach Warren Joyce has left City a shell of their former selves and the fans have felt it, typified by their dwindling attendances.

Arguably the worst side currently placed inside the top six, City fell to a convincing 3-0 defeat to the Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday night, a side who themselves had not won at ANZ Stadium in their last seven attempts.

Despite making the finals each season since the CFG takeover, the growing disdain for City hierarchy could push local fans to consider Western United’s presence as the 2019-20 campaign approaches.

With abhorrent football at a premium and one win from their last eight matches, it’s time CFG listen to their supporters and reevaluate their purple relationship with Joyce before it’s too late.

Smells like Siem spirit

Sydney FC fans got a taste of a Dutch delicacy on Friday night as Siem de Jong single-handedly spared his side’s blushes in Brisbane.

Making his first A-League appearance since January, de Jong’s shot found Adam Le Fondre for the go-ahead goal before a classy no-look finish of improbable proportions secured a 3-1 win at Suncorp Stadium.

The goal was the 30-year-old’s fourth in just 12 league appearances this season – having missed half the season through injury – and coach Steve Corica believes the best is yet to come.

But while that bodes well for the Sky Blues ahead of finals football, the likelihood of an extended loan from Ajax into next season remains in doubt.

Despite the Dutch marquee’s magic on Friday, his injury-ridden campaign may force the club to preserve funds for another name next season.

De Jong’s injury-plagued past would have been a concern for the Sky Blues during negotiations over his one-year deal and, despite his undoubted quality, those feelings were justified.

Nevertheless, a healthy, strong finish to the season is all fans will ask of their Netherlands international and he’ll no doubt look to oblige.

Blessing in disguise

Perth Glory succumbed to a rare defeat on Saturday night, but coach Tony Popovic isn’t looking too far into it.

“We still played well in this game and just didn’t get the result,” Popovic said.

“I’ve always maintained that we’ll finish at the end where we deserve to be and at the moment, even with this result, we deserve to be on top.”

While the loss to defending champions Melbourne Victory will do little to swing Glory’s odds away from the Premiers’ Plate, it may be just what the doctor ordered.

Saturday’s defeat, in front of a HBF Park-record 17,856 crowd, will serve as a much needed reminder of the cost of complacency come finals time.

Be it Scott Neville’s struggle within a back three or the need to start Andy Keogh in place of Joel Chianese, Popovic will now know exactly what’s required to ensure a repeat performance does not resurface.

And he’ll have the perfect opportunity to make amends next week when the Glory travel to face cellar-dwellers Central Coast Mariners in Gosford.

Hat-trick hero

The Wellington Phoenix took one giant step towards finals football on Saturday night, defeating the Newcastle Jets 4-1 at Westpac Stadium.

With golden boot front-runner Roy Krishna suspended for the match, a resurgent David Williams continued his seasonal theme with a hat-trick in front of 9,028 supporters.

Williams sent the Nix on their way with a goal inside the opening minute and the damage only got worse as the match wore on.

Having scored 15 goals in their past three matches, the Phoenix appear in red-hot form as the regular season comes to a close and third place draws nearer.

Williams’ hat-trick heroics, his first at the venue since he last played for Melbourne Heart in 2014, leaves Mark Rudan’s men within one point of mathematical safety inside the top six.

The A-League’s lone Kiwi club are desperate to end their four-year absence from the post-season and it appears they don’t care who they have to face to do it.

Culture of belief

Alen Stajcic lifted the mood with immediate effect last time out but the Central Coast Mariners were unable to repeat the trick on Sunday, losing out 1-0 to Adelaide United.

An Isaias stunner 10 minutes from half-time was all it took for the visitors, but the Mariners will take plenty of positives from their performance.

In just two matches since Mike Mulvey’s dismissal, Stajcic has instilled a culture of belief at the club and it’s clear his players are all in.

“There is a belief in the team now that our structures and patterns of play can be effective against anyone, and Adelaide are as good a team as anyone in the top six,” Stajcic said after the match – and he’s not wrong.

The Mariners have improved both defensively and going forward in the short time under their interim coach and were unfortunate not to find the back of the net in the first half, particularly through rising Olyroos star Aiden O’Neill.

Nevertheless, should the coastal club’s hierarchy choose to pursue Stajcic’s signature for next season, the A-League’s laughing stock may finally find fortune.