LACHLAN Scott can be a special player.
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When he came off with 20 minutes left against Newcastle on Sunday, the words were simple, as I ran on to replace him.
“I’m proud of you mate”.
Lachlan’s a product of the Wanderers youth system, as well as a Wollongong boy, so there was no one cheering harder than me when he scored.
And what composure too.
The turn was executed smoothly and he produce a calm finish to find the net.
Most importantly for Lachy, his attitude towards the game and learning is fantastic, he’s a humble young man without ego.
There’s a lot of pressure coming into a squad and being expected to score goals.
When it doesn’t happen straight away, you always feel the need to prove yourself, especially as a young player.
So the only advice for Lachlan this season has been to keep working hard and the results will come, as we saw on Sunday.
If you keep working hard, you keep putting yourself in the right positions for the team to score and soon enough one will come your way, as it did for him.
You never know what the future holds for a young talent like him, but if he stays in the A-League, he can be a great a player for the Wanderers.
He’s a also a product of Tony Popovic’s ability to pick out talent and develop them into first-team players.
Lachy’s goal was hugely important for the Wanderers, as much as it was for him.
Scoring just before half-time, it ensured we finally broke through for a win and stayed right there in the mix to secure a finals place.
It’s always a relief coming on straight after a goal, our second scored by Joshua Sotirio on 68 minutes, as much as you’d love to be on there to score the sealer yourself. A lot has been made of Western Sydney’s discussions with Scott McDonald and a potential homecoming to Australia from Motherwell in Scotland.
So now it’s off the table, it’s a chance for Lachy and myself to ensure we keep scoring goals and keep winning.
Lachy’s goal was hugely important for the Wanderers, as much as it was for him
It’s been a frustrating period for all of us, fans and players alike, but we knew the groundwork had been done against Sydney FC to beat Newcastle. Popovic is a great man manager, so part of the task will be about managing time on the field for Lachlan and I to make sure we’re fit and at our best and I'm looking forward to starting in some big games ahead.
And there’s no reason why we can’t start games together, depending on what team Popa wants to put out against the opposition.
There’s a real lift among the group after beating Newcastle, you could feel it around the group, and beforehand, following the Sydney draw.
Like I said last week, it’s not about how we win right now, that will come with confidence. It'’s about doing the hard work and being prepared to win ugly when we have to as the team builds confidence to push for finals.
Hopefully it’s the start of a run of wins for the Wanderers and a run of goals for Lachy.
- A-LEAGUE
BRISBANE ROAR v WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS
Saturday, 7.50pm
Suncorp Stadium
A-League ladder: SYDNEY FC 40*, MELBOURNE VICTORY 32*, MELBOURNE CITY 26, BRISBANE ROAR 24, PERTH GLORY 21, WELLINGTON PHOENIX 18, Western Sydney Wanderers 18, Newcastle Jets 17, Adelaide United 10, Central Coast Mariners 10.
* Played Thursday night.
