Craig Goodwin says Adelaide United must be at the peak of their form if they are to knock the Western Sydney Wanderers from the summit of the Hyundai A-League on New Year’s Day.
Adelaide United are currently enjoying a run of four successive matches without defeat, winning three and drawing one. But it is the impressive form of the Western Sydney Wanderers that has the entire Hyundai A-League stunned, last season’s second-to-bottom placed side now unbeaten in nine games.
Yet, the Reds’ recent form is not to be ignored, regardless of their opponent, with defender, Craig Goodwin adamant he and his teammates can challenge the Wanderers and steal the three points at Pirtek Stadium on New Year’s Day.
“The Wanderers are on a fantastic run of form and are sitting at the top of the table at the moment, but we’ve also had some good form lately,” Goodwin said.
“We’ve picked up some good results and we’re within touching distance of the top six and beyond, so if we can continue this form, there’s no reason why we can’t be in the top six and push higher within the next couple of weeks.
“But we’ll focus on getting past Western Sydney first and continue this run of form we’re enjoying.”
United will have their work cut out for them right across the park, though, with the Wanderers boasting the equal-best defensive record in the competition, and fielding an in-form Mark Bridge, who’s netted five goals in as many games.
Nevertheless, the Reds’ revival sees them as worthy competitors for Western Sydney and Goodwin has called for United to step up to the plate and deliver a complete performance, unlike the way in which Adelaide started their campaign.
“After we got our first win under our belts we gained a bit of confidence and it’s gone on from there,” he explained. “I think we’re better in all areas at the moment and we’re defending well, doing the things we need to.
“We have to do this again this weekend because it’s definitely going to be a tough game.
“Defensively, we have to be very switched on because the Wanderers have some good players in their front third, but they’re also quite solid at the back as well.
“We’re going to have to be on our game all over the park and going away (from home), I think we will have to win the battle before we can play our football.
“If we can match them and win our one-on-one individual battles, then it will go a long way to getting us result.
“We go into every game wanting the win and this is no different. We want the three points.”
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Adelaide United will face Western Sydney Wanderers in Round 13 of the Hyundai A-League 2015/16 season on Friday, 1 January 2016 at Pirtek Stadium. Kick-off is at 7.10pm ACDT.
