There is much to be said about the Wanderers' performances in the first 6 rounds. As head coach Tony Popovic said in the post game press conference this week; Western Sydney have never been outplayed by their opposition.

This is a testament to the structure and philosophy that Popa has instilled within the team. The team will fight until the 90th minute to get a result. They will not lie down and accept defeat. And this is something that is very quickly resonating in the terraces.

I looked around the stadium multiple times in those frantic final 10 minutes. The majority of the stadium were on their feet, clapping along with the Red and Black Bloc and even singing the songs, doing all they could to will their team to get that much deserved equaliser. I’ve noticed this has happened since even Round 1 against Central Coast Mariners.

The Wanderers are having a knack of creating nail biting finishes to games whilst at home and its creating a solidarity with the fans. I haven’t seen anyone leave the game prior to the final whistle - something I’ve seen multiple times in other A-League and Socceroo games. The excuse is usually “to beat the traffic”. Or perhaps these people just don’t understand football. We all know of the stories of people leaving Suncorp on Orange Sunday when they thought the game was over. Football is a 90+ minute game. Too many times in history games are decided in those final few minutes.

But I digress.

This tells me a few things.

1. They are a knowledgeable football crowd. I’ve said it before; there is no need to convert people to football for the Wanderers to be successful off the pitch. Football fans already reside in Western Sydney. Its just a matter of convincing them to go to the games and support the club. So they understand the game isn’t over until the whistle blows.

2. The fans really feel a part of this club already and it is much more than merely going to the football because its there. No they are going to the football because they want to support their team in the flesh. The fact that the official jersey is sold out and practically has been since it was released is also a testament to the fans commitment to the club.

3. The club is making the fans feel a part of them. Following the Melbourne Heart win last week, the players went around the entire stadium high fiving fans, signing autographs, taking pictures etc. I hope this continues as it makes everyone feel like one big family and a part of something. This week a megaphone was handed to Ante Covic and then Dino Kresinger to lead a chant with the Red and Black Bloc. After some convincing, they complied. Apparently we lost the match, but the fans have shown they are behind the players and staff and will support them no matter what.

And why is that? The results haven’t been overwhelmingly positive, so to speak,  so why does the team deserve such unconditional support thus far?

Because of the manner the players conduct themselves on and off the park. As previously stated, they do not surrender. They give it their all for the fans, the club, the shirt. And thus in turn, the fans reciprocate that dedication.

Perhaps this attitude resonates with many fans. Especially those that have originally come from abroad and made their way here, many with nothing, to forge a new life for their families. These people don’t give up easily. And they expect the same from their team.

Speaking to many people following the match, and sure we were disappointed that we had lost, especially after the many gilt-edged chances that the team had created. But there was a sense of pride in the defeat. We gave it to Newcastle, who are top of the table, and I noticed the Newcastle players celebrating like they had won the Grand Final when the final whistle blew. This is a testament to how far the Wanderers pushed them and how hard it was for the Jets to win the 3 points.

Win, lose or draw, the Wanderers have already made a name for themselves to be a team that will go down swinging. I think the other teams are on notice that they are in for a battle if they want to get something out of their games against Western Sydney.

Next up, Perth Glory away. On paper, one would say that Perth should win this match. But, stranger things have happened already this season.