Soccer-Aloisi calls for mentality change after Western United's 'worst performance'

I have to take responsibility because I'm coach, but I'm nowhere near happy with the group, the way that we performed tonight." Western United had made a winning start to the current A-League campaign with a 2-1 victory over Melbourne City in October, but since then have suffered six consecutive defeats.

Western United coach John Aloisi had harsh words for his side's performance as the former A-League champions slumped to a 4-0 loss against Central Coast Mariners on Friday, leaving them rooted to the bottom of the standings. Aloisi led the club to grand final success in May 2022 but a little more than 18 months on his team are currently last in the 12-team league and in the middle of a dismal run of form.

"We were never in the game, not from the start, not to the end," Aloisi said. "And that's disappointing because we've gone on a bad run ... (where) the performances have been good without getting the results. "But tonight the performance was nowhere near good enough. I have to take responsibility because I'm coach, but I'm nowhere near happy with the group, the way that we performed tonight."

Western United had made a winning start to the current A-League campaign with a 2-1 victory over Melbourne City in October, but since then have suffered six consecutive defeats. The loss against Central Coast in Gosford represented a nadir for Aloisi as goals from Dan Hall, Brian Kaltak, Marco Tulio and Alou Kuol earned the Mariners their second win of the domestic campaign so far.

"We have to have a look and make sure that that doesn't happen again because since I've been at this football club that's the worst performance that I've been involved in," said former Australia striker Aloisi. "You can win and lose but not perform like that. Not compete like that.

"We need to change the mentality. We've lost six in a row but don't be scared, play and be brave. We weren't brave all. "We can talk about tactics all day. Tactics don't mean anything if you're losing your battles and your collective battles, and we lost everyone."

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