Babbel: We have to play better football...

Western Sydney Wanderers boss Markus today admitted his side got lucky in the derby last weekend to maintain their perfect start to the season and be top of the table.

Wanderers christened their new Bankwest Stadium home with a 1-0 win over intracity rivals Sydney FC after a diving heaer from skipper Mitchell Duke proved decisive.

The Sky Blues threw everything at the staunch red and black defence but an imperial performance by new keeper Daniel Lopar and some last ditch goalline scrambling kept the scoreline intact.

Today head coach Markus Babbel admitted things had fallen his side's way in the clash.

Despite that though, the Wanderers go into round four – and a date with Robbie Fowler's Brisbane Roar – sitting at the head of the A-League ladder with a perfect nine points from three games.

"It wasn't a top top top performance" he conceded after training this morning. "It was a great fight from the boys – but we also have to play better football now.

"This is what we want to do on Saturday, to start to also play a better style of football. The fighting spirit is excellent so now if we can also bring the skills in then it is very difficult to beat us."

Babbel admitted his side had got away with Keanu Baccus handball call in the derby that was almost identical to the one that went in their favour against Central Coast Mariners two weeks earlier.

"We had a bit of luck on our side because we got a penalty against Central Coast," he said. " You can say it was similar to the handball from Keanu in the derby.

"It's very difficult to say. I'm happy that I don't have to make those decisions. It's very hard. I don;t know what is handball and what is not."

Despite the strong start, Babbel is not taking the rest of the season for granted and says one of the key areas he still needs to improve in his squad is confidence.

"Football-wise, to believe we are good," he admitted. "Not every player is still believing. They still have the old shape inside – but it's a learning process.

"The good thing is every win helps. I hope we can show a bit more confidence on Saturday to do what we want to do on the pitch and not be scared about it.

"Just play with freedom, play with enjoyment, and show what you can do – not to think, 'If I do a mistake now that can is not good for our team'."

He added: "We won three points, nothing more.

"Of course, the three points were a bit sweeter than usual but now keep going, because we still only have nine points, nothing more.

"We need more points to to come in the playoffs – and that's that's what we're working on now."

Babbel said he had not been in touch with Fowler ahead of this weekend's clash, but would catch up properly with his former Liverpool team-mate after the game.

"He's a top lad and a top pro," said Babbel. "I think it's fantastic for the league to bring a person like Robbie here.

"For 90 minutes we will be focused on the game and after the game we will have a good chat."