Prospective coaches, let Markus Babbel be a lesson. Football is a dog-eat-dog world, in which honesty is overrated.

At every stage this season, Babbel has been blunt and forthright in his responses. But the Wanderers remain eighth, just two points clear of Brisbane Roar.

With fan banners and open letters abound, and it seems the German legend has little room for manoeuvre. 

Ola Toivonen struck first for Victory, the big Swede appearing to take it upon himself to break the deadlock, combining with James Troisi before tucking the ball cociently out of Vedran Janjetovic's reach. 

Western Sydney dominated possession with little result, too often resorting to lofted balls into Oriol Riera or aimless combinations down the flanks.

The Wanderers looked to be fading into repetition before Storm Roux mindlessly fell for an Alex Baumjohann fake and brought the German marquee down in the box, Baumjohann cooly dispatching the resultant spot kick.

The Wanderers could have taken the lead through Nick Fitzgerald moments later, Lawrence Thomas foolhardy in onrushing challenges, but Leigh Broxham cleared off the line. The midfielder then hit the post after the Wanderers went behind.

"It was scrappy and we had to earn everything tonight," Broxham said. "In all circumstances, we'll take the three points tonight.

"We could have stopped the penalty but whatever scenario, there's no panic. They're under pressure to win games at home, they were desperate.

"(Thomas) won't shout me a drink tonight, we're playing in a few days. Soda waters," he laughed. "Made it awkward, didn't I?" 

Kevin Muscat was left a little speechless by his goalkeeper's actions

"Lawrence did some things...oh gee...I don't know," he said. "He keeps me on my toes."

"I thought I'd play centreback for a bit and let Broxy play in goals," Thomas said.

But Toivonen's scored in his last five matches and seems irrepressable, capable of crafting the perfect run and rarely missing the target, succinctly notching his second and the Big V's winner on the 86th minute.

Brendan Hamill was entirely positive after the loss, saying the Wanderers dominated the match. 

"It was a great effort, we pushed and it was a great response from the other night," he said. "You give Victory a few chances and they've got quality. 

"It was a feeling of belief from kick off, we took control of the game. Positive signs and we've got to build on it.

"We had chances, we've created some of the most chances in the league. We keep believing and we go again."