Western Sydney Wanderers midfielder Dylan Scicluna says the entire squad has a point to prove coming into the new A-League Men campaign after collecting the Wooden Spoon last season.
Now under the tutelage of former Sydney FC head coach Ufuk Talay, the Wanderers will be looking to make an enormous improvement on what was a disastrous 2025/26 season, where they won just 21 points all season and subsequently collected a first wooden spoon in club history.
For Scicluna and the rest of the Wanderers first-team squad, it’s something that’s been eating away at them during the off-season.
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“Everyone took last season personally,” Scicluna said when addressing the media on Tuesday afternoon.
“We’ve all got a point to prove, myself included. I think I’ve got more to give and I think everyone does from last year.
“We’re all confident, we’re all feeling good with our bodies and how we’ve been playing and we can’t wait for the season to start and just show everyone what we’ve been working on.”
With a new-look squad and Talay now in charge the Wanderers have enjoyed a fruitful pre-season which has seen them score goals for fun whilst defeating plenty of A-Leagues rivals along the way.
Scicluna believes the side will be vastly different to watch this season compared to last, and that spells bad news for the rest of the A-League Men sides.
Western Sydney Wanderers head coach Ufuk Talay
“We all had a hard look in the mirror, and I think the hardest thing was to do was to make change, and we have made change,” Scicluna said.
“I think you can almost add that as extra fuel to the fire for this year.
“To be honest, we’ve had a a good strong pre-season. We’ve all gelled quite nicely, and yeah, we’re confident for sure. The boss has brought a lot. His message is very clear, and I think everyone in the playing group knows what he wants from everyone in position.
“He’s made significant change, obviously positive change. And yeah, we’re all currently loving playing under him, and I think you can see that in the football we’re playing.”
“I think pre-season always sets you up nicely for the season, and yeah, it obviously helps when you’re winning games in pre-season against the opposition that we have.
“We just try to execute our game plan, and yeah, so far it’s been working, which is nice, and hopefully that keeps going towards the season.”
Key to the Wanderers’ chances this season could well be the return of Socceroos winger Nicolas Milanovic.
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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – JULY 28: Nicolas Milanovic of the Wanderers kicks the ball during the Sydney Super Cup match between Western Sydney Wanderers and Chelsea FC at Accor Stadium on July 28, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
The 2025 Johnny Warren Medallist re-joined the club this off-season following a spell with Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen, with Scicluna believing he’s the type of signing that could prove pivotal.
“Yeah obviously it’s a big boost, we all saw what he did in his last season before he went. A player who know everything about hte club coming back, suits the way we want to play.
“He’s a game-changer and it’s exciting to have (him).”
Up first for the Wanderers is the small matter of a Sydney Derby, with Scicluna and his teammates heading into enemy territory on Friday, October 16 as they face Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium.
“I think obviously a derby, everyone’s always up for it,” Scicluna said when speaking at the Sydney club’s pre-season launch in the Harbour City.
“Not just our fans and their fans. I think everyone in the league always likes to see it as a neutral. Yeah, I think we’ll see a very different Wanderers to last year.
“A team that wants to be positive and fear none, and yeah, we’re looking to start the season strong against them, no matter whether it’s them or any other opposition.
“We’re looking to just play our style of football and our brand this year, and hopefully be successful.”
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