Wanderers captain Nikolai Topor-Stanley says he views new signing Yojiro Takahagi more as an attacking midfielder than a striker – but with Tomi Juric on Socceroos duty, the Japan international could be thrust immediately into that pivotal role against Melbourne City on Sunday.
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Wanderers coach Tony Popovic has options, with Labinot Haliti, Nikita Rukavytsya and the returning Brendon Santalab up his sleeve for the job at the point end of the attack.
But with the team scoring just seven goals in 12 A-League games before the Asian Cup break, the coach might give the 28-year-old the task of hitting the back of the net.
"Maybe he'll play in that role. That will depend on the boss, but he's certainly got a lot of skill, a lot of attacking flair. I'm sure he'll deliver for us," Topor-Stanley said.
"I see him as more of an attacking midfielder, where he can link up play, put through balls and maybe get on the end of some crosses as well. He's an attacking midfielder. But he can play No.10 or as a second striker."
Takahagi was registered initially for the Asian Champions League but with Vitor Saba's departure, he was added to the A-League roster.
"He's been fully training, they haven't wrapped him in cotton wool, so who knows what can happen?" Topor-Stanley said. "I think he'll be a quality player and I certainly look forward to having him in the team."
As exciting and useful as Takahagi could be in midfield, the Wanderers' delivery to the strikers has not been as big a problem as the finishing.
The Wanderers maintain their general play has been sound. They have just paid the price for not beating the opposition 'keeper.
The break for the Asian Cup, however, might have provided the Wanderers with the chance to draw a line under the mistakes of the first half of the season and start again.
"We've been getting the ball down the park quite well but just getting the end product in the goal has been eluding us," the skipper said.
"Also, we've let soft goals in and we're not used to that. A lot of games previously we were able to grind out 1-0 wins and we were proud of that ability. But we've lost that. We lost our way a bit.
"It's very hard to maintain that high level for a long time, but that's what we're looking to get back to."
Topor-Stanley, meanwhile, said he was ready for a recall to the Socceroos if and when the invitation came. He had been part of Ange Postecoglou's extended squad ahead of the Asian Cup but was overlooked in favour of Trent Sainsbury, Alex Wilkinson and teammate Matthew Spiranovic.
"It would have been great to be part of it. I certainly worked extremely hard to get there. But the coach went in a different direction," he said.
"I'm still a fan of Australia. I'm not going to hold any grudges. I've watched every game, I've been a fan, biting my nails, and I've wished them all the best.
"People get picked on form and consistency, and that's how I got there in the first place. That's what I'll continue to do and if I got called up, it would be an honour."
