Wilkshire pans Wolves after 5-1 Sydney Olympic rout

The Wolves were thumped 5-1 by Sydney Olympic at Albert Butler Park, the side totally outplayed throughout the encounter.

The loss sees Wollongong drop to eighth on the ladder, clinging to their finals hopes with seven games to play.

Read more: Wollongong Olympic claim bragging rights after edging out Wollongong United

Wilkshire didn't mince his words post-game, declaring squad members are playing for their future at the Wolves, starting next week against Northbridge.

"There's no denying it, it's not good enough," Wilkshire said. "Players are playing for their position to be at the club next year.

"There can be changes all over the place (for next week). I've got to work with what I've got, how many I've got. There's been lots of opportunities for many players, that performance is just not good enough."

The disappointment started from the opening whistle on Sunday, Olympic coming close to scoring in the first minute before Benjamin van Meurs put the visitors up 1-0 after seven.

Wolves captain Lachlan Scott levelled the scores midway through the first half, the goal appearing to provide the side a boost.

The striker was Wollongong's best throughout the encounter, his performance a lone bright spot on an otherwise dour afternoon.

Scott had a handful of extra chances, however he was denied by the opposition.

Sydney Olympic regained ascendancy late in the opening stanza, taking a 2-1 lead into the break courtesy of Michael Glassock.

The slow start continued a frustrating trend for Wilkshire, the Wolves making a costly habit of poor first halves throughout the season.

"It's hard to say why we were poor, we weren't at the races, it's every set piece we look like conceding goals. We can't attack the ball, we can't win balls in the area or deal with long balls.

"The start was slow again. The first goal comes from a wide free kick into the box that we didn't deal with, it went out for a corner and then the corner we don't deal with. It's basics, very basic for me."

While Scott generated a number of chances in the second half, Olympic again dominated the second 45.

In what was a physical affair, Ante Juric's side outmuscled their opponents and controlled every facet of the game.

A goal early in the second half put Olympic up two before they secured a convincing victory and the three points with a pair of late strikes in the dying minutes.

For Wilkshire, such a performance was not acceptable, particularly their work at the set piece.

"You can't [play like] that, there was nothing in the game but set pieces and poor mistakes. It's frustrating,'' he lamented.

"My session plans will be very easy (this week). I'll just be lumping balls into the box and have players try to deal with them, because we can't and that's what it's come to at the moment. It's very disappointing and very frustrating."