A lack of accountability and lethargy in defence was the cause of Western Sydney Wanderers' collapse against Melbourne Victory, according to their frustrated goalkeeper Vedran Janjetovic.
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The Wanderers undefeated start to the new year came to a halt as they slumped to a 3-0 loss at home.
Despite creating a number of chances for themselves, the Wanderers were undone by a poor defensive display which is more to do with individual performances than tactics, according to their shot stopper.
Janjetovic was let down by generous marking and hesitation from his defenders as Victory's Kosta Barbarouses scored a brace and Besart Berisha added the other at ANZ Stadium.
The 30-year-old was bemoaning the resolution of his team without the ball, suggesting they didn't display enough determination as in previous years. "There was just no urgency in defending. With that last goal, we stood back and watched, we dropped off. We're not winning our 50-50s like we should be," he said. "Last year we were winning everything, we would get to the ball first, win second balls."
Coach Josep Gombau came under scrutiny for some of his selection choices, in particular fielding left back Jack Clisby in an unaccustomed central role. However, Janjetovic says much of the fault lies with the players.
"To be honest, it's up to the individual to be able to take on the responsibility and do the job we're asked to do. We're training week in, week out. There are no excuses why we can't do it, why we're not doing it," he said.
"It's frustrating just to watch it. To know that we can do better is the most frustrating part but I've seen it done before by the players on the pitch, I've seen the fight, seen them win battles so I feel we're just behind where we need to be. I think it's down to the individual to get on the pitch to be able to die out there and put their body on the line."
Meanwhile, Melbourne Victory striker Besart Berisha says a heart-to-heart conversation about his performances with coach Kevin Muscat helped turn his form around after being criticised for missing several chances in recent weeks. The league's all-time leading goal scorer scored one and set up another against the Wanderers in an impressive attacking display.
"I spoke to Kevin and asked to work in a different way in training in terms of finishing," Berisha said. "Everybody has to look into the mirror and ask if they did well? I always do that. I always put myself first and ask if I do the right thing. I believed I didn't so I worked hard in different ways in training and now I get the reward. That's really important."
Berisha agreed with some of the criticism around his finishing and missed opportunities, using it to address aspects of his game that weren't up to his regular standards.
"I don't want to bring myself into this position but that's a part of football, I respect that to. I am a person who is very honest with myself and that was not good enough. I missed a lot of opportunities that I didn't score but my response is not to give up. I work hard in training, put the chances away in training at the start of the week," he said.
