Jordan O’Doherty’s not the biggest name in the Western Sydney Wanderers’ line-up Mudgee bound ahead of Saturday’s historic A-League clash with Brisbane at Glen Willow.
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But he may well be the most important.
O’Doherty’s first start this season helped the red and blacks record their maiden win of 2018-19, a thumping 3-0 triumph over the Wellington Pheonix in New Zealand.
O’Doherty got a taste of game time in a 2-0 loss to FC in the Sydney derby the week before, but shone in his preferred role through the mid-field in the Wanderers’ three-goal clinic against the Phoenix.
The 21-year-old, in his first year with the club after debuting in the A-League with Adelaide, scored his side’s final goal last week and is confident if the Western Sydney front-men can again find their targets then more goals will come in Mudgee.
The Wanderers have scored four goals through three games to start the season but, incredibly, have whacked the woodwork a huge 16 times throughout the same period.
“It shows we’ve got enough chances, the chances are there we just need to improve on them and convert,” O’Doherty told the Big Sports Breakfast on Thursday morning.
The Roar sit winless in eighth place on the ladder heading into Saturday afternoon’s regional clash.
“We know they're a good side,” O’Doherty continued.
Hopefully the surface is good and I’m expecting a nice atmosphere.
- Wanderers' gun Jordan O'Doherty
“They're an attacking side we just need to match them in the midfield, break forward and exploit their fullbacks being high.
“But if you watched the weekend you would have seen what we’re capable of. It’s about getting that consistency and scoring off the chances we have.
“We can defend well and work hard but i’s about being consistency and scoring goals.”
O’Doherty said the conditions during the Wanderers’ last-start win over Wellington were “pretty horrible”, a problem he knows he won’t face at Mudgee.
The Glen Willow surface was lauded as being “better than some ovals in Sydney” during the radio interview and although O’Doherty’s first trip to the Central West town will be with the Wanderers on Friday he’s keen to see what’s in store at the $14 million facility.
“I’ve heard (Mudgee’s) a nice place to go if you want to do some wine tasting, but I’ve heard the venue is nice as well,” he said.
“Hopefully the surface is good and I’m expecting a nice atmosphere.”
The Wanderers and Brisbane kick-off at 5.35pm.
Nick McGrath
Editor, Central Western Daily
Editor, Central Western Daily
