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Babbel believes Wanderers wins not far off

3 minute read

Markus Babbel is under pressure to keep his position as Western Sydney coach but is confident a drought-breaking A-League win isn't far away.

Wanderers coach MARKUS BABBEL looks on.
Wanderers coach MARKUS BABBEL looks on. Picture: (Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Under-fire boss Markus Babbel is adamant Western Sydney have enough quality at their disposal to dig themselves out of their A-League hole and save his job.

The German coach has come under fierce scrutiny amid a seven-match winless run, with media reports of unrest within the Wanderers playing and coaching ranks casting a shadow over them as they slide down the ladder.

Last week, Babbel lashed suggestions of a rift between he and assistant coach Jean Paul de Marigny as "dog s***".

Now, buoyed by an improved performance in last week's draw with Western United, Babbel believes victory over Adelaide at Coopers Stadium on Friday night could be enough to kick-start a Wanderers revival.

"It's up to us," Babbel said.

"We have the quality, we have the skill, the talent to create chances to score goals.

"Of course at the moment we need a bit too many chances to score a goal.

"We have to be more calm in front of goal, but still believe in it.

"The work rate has to be (strong)."

Daniel Georgievski revealed the negative media reports had been addressed by the club internally and dealt with in recent days.

With the distraction put to bed, the experienced defender said it was time to turn better form over the past fortnight into positive results as Wanderers chase their first win since October.

"That whole debacle that happened last week, you don't let things like that come in-house," he said.

"At the end of the day, when we put our boots on, none of that is really important for us.

"You just take it on the chin and we spoke thoroughly about all that stuff.

"But when you're on the pitch, none of that really matters.

"Our football has to do the talking.

"Recently it hasn't been like that in the result department, but football-wise we are heading in the right direction."

Babbel is wary of an inconsistent Reds side that will welcome back George Blackwood and Paul Izzo from injury.

Socceroos playmaker James Troisi presents one of the biggest threats.

"They can play a really exciting style of football, fast strikers, many forward runs," Babbel said.

"We have to know it and Troisi is a player, experienced guy, very calm on the ball, good ideas.

"We have to control him as well, but also we have our strengths."

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