Having returned from Croatia to rejuvenate his career Tomi Juric has now found a home in Sydney's west.
Having returned from Croatia to rejuvenate his career Tomi Juric has now found a home in Sydney's west as he prepares to play a key role in the Western Sydney Wanderers title ambitions.
Juric arrived back in Australia at the tail end of last season and made an immediate impression for Adelaide United with his performances earning him a call-up to the Socceroos squad for the EAFF East Asian Cup.
Just as Holger Osieck saw something in the 22-year-old, so too did Wanderers coach Tony Popovic who signed the forward up on a two year contract.
Juric believes he is fitting in well to his new surroundings and is now likely to get his chance to shine for the Wanderers faithful as he looks to make the lone strikers role in Popovic-s system his own.
“All the boys have been helping me a lot so that I could come into the side and do well straight away,” Juric said.
“I have been working with the coaches to fix a few little things in terms of fitting into the system but with the team working well as a unit it has helped me fit in quicker.”
Although being the lone man up front Juric doesn-t believe there is any extra pressure on him to ensure the Wanderers continue to pile on the goals in the season ahead.
“The way we play we get everyone involved in the attack with the wingers and wingbacks all getting forward.
“I think that if we coordinate the system we are in well then both the team and I will benefit throughout the year.”
There was always going to be talk of the dreaded second year syndrome after the heights the Wanderers reached last season but Juric believes his new team is well equipped to have just as much success in 2013/14.
“If you have a look at what the boys did last year, they were fantastic.
“You have to be confident after what the team achieved last year.
“With a few new faces and the team as a whole making little improvements we are definitely confident heading into the season.”
Much of the side-s success can be attributed to coach Tony Popovic who will again be looking to inspire his troops to the top of the league.
“Popa is fantastic in every way you look at him as a coach and a person.
“He demands a lot of us on the pitch, demands respect and gives it to us in return.
“He was a quality player in his time and shows us what we need to do to have a great career and get to the quality we need to to play at national level.”
Juric got his first chance to wear the green and gold in the Socceroos EAFF East Asian Cup campaign and after tasting international football the forward wants to become a Socceroos regular.
“I would love to get a spot in the side for Brazil just as everyone would and anything is possible but I am not putting any pressure on myself to secure a spot for the World Cup.
“It is a long nine months and there is a lot of time for me to continue to improve and hopefully I will do enough to get there.”
Juric-s improvement is likely to come in front of sold out crowds at Parramatta Stadium and the striker cannot wait to get out in front of the Wanderers faithful.
“The fans and the support they give us is why you play the game.
“When we get out on the pitch and see twenty thousand fans it is amazing and gives you more motivation to perform.
“Hopefully we can reward them for their support this season but we know that they will be there throughout the good and the bad.”
Juric and the Wanderers kick off their campaign against the Central Coast Mariners on Saturday October 12 before returning for their home opener against Wellington Phoenix on October 20.