Thwarted and frustrated by Wellington Phoenix, Western Sydney Wanderers are keen to show their round-one A-League Men stalemate was nothing but a blip.
The Wanderers spent the off-season placing an emphasis on their attack but were unable to open up a Wellington side who sat deep and parked the proverbial bus.
Wellington goalkeeper Alex Paulsen was inspired and Wanderers striker Brandon Borrello had only just got off a flight from international duty.
Western Sydney's creative linchpin Milos Ninkovic was also absent with injury, with coach Marko Rudan declaring the playmaker was "touch and go" to face Western United.
While expectations have shifted under Rudan's tenure, Swedish import Marcus Antonsson knows there's work to be done before Saturday's home fixture.
"They sat really deep and it was difficult to break them down," Antonsson said.
"We have been doing some work during the week if that happens again and we always try to find solutions.
"It was frustrating, especially in the second half we didn't create enough chances with the amount of possession we had."
Ninkovic's inclusion would be a welcome boost for the Wanderers but Rudan said a decision on whether to risk the Serbian maverick wouldn't be made until Friday.
"I won't lie, certainly his experience and guile and his quality in that final third in tight areas would have been a bonus for us on the weekend," Rudan said.
"We were crying out for someone like that.
"His understudy as I call him (Alex) 'Rocky' Badolato, he's good in tight areas and is fresh off a trip with the Young Socceroos.
"He can do some damage and with the minutes he gets he needs to make an impact.
"Milos is training but we will make a decision tomorrow (on Friday).
"The majority of our sessions this week have been about us with the ball and breaking down a packed defence."
