Wolves play down rivalry

BY JOEL RITCHIE
01 May, 2010 04:00 AM

They have been typecast as the NSW Premier League battlers.

Two low-budget clubs short of big names but with plenty of spirit. Sides that will provide nuisance value to the cashed-up heavyweights, but destined for mid-table limbo.

Nevertheless, tomorrow's Wolves-West Sydney clash won't spell doom for either team, according to South Coast coach Trevor Morgan.

Both combatants (ranked 10th and 11th, respectively) enter the round 10 Sydney Olympic Park showdown on two-game losing skids and eight points - the winner will keep in touch with the top five while the loser could plunge to the foot of the ladder.

Although statistics point to a pivotal contest in both campaigns, Morgan doesn't view it as any more vital than any other fixture to date.

"We're all fighting for points, they are desperate for points, the same as us," Morgan said.

"Of course we're anxious to win but every week is important.

"That makes it interesting ... it makes it a fine line between success and failure."

Morgan declared the opening exchanges could prove decisive and challenged his squad to improve on the flat start in last week's defeat against Sydney Olympic.

"We have to make sure we start well, that's the priority," Morgan said.

"We have shown we can come from behind but it's not the preferred option."

Morgan plans to take an unchanged line-up into the clash although centre-back Dave Abel (stress fractures in foot) is a long-term absentee.

The Wolves coach hasn't seen West Sydney - who have garnered a reputation for grinding out results - so far this year.

"They have some long-term state league players but if they had a large crop of outstanding talent they wouldn't be in the position they are," Morgan said.

"They are like us, they have a lot of steady players."

http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/news/local/sport/football-soccer/wolves-play-down-rivalry/1817706.aspx