The Wanderers missed out on the silverware last season but captain Michael Beauchamp believes his team can go one step further next time. Source: Getty Images
MICHAEL Beauchamp is bracing himself for his toughest pre-season yet as the Western Sydney Wanderers look to build on last season's success.
The players returned to training this week and have three months of intense preparation ahead of them before their season starts against the Central Coast Mariners on October 12.
Beauchamp, the club's captain, says the players are aiming to go a step further than they did last season by winning the grand final.
"It's going to come down to a lot of hard work," Beauchamp told The Daily Telegraph.
"I'm sure there are going to be a lot more people with eyes on us, waiting for us to fail, but it's not going to happen.
"The pre-season is generally hard and last season was the hardest I've done. But I've already been told that this season is going to be harder, so hopefully the legs hold up."
Beauchamp revealed that Wanderers coach Tony Popovic, who is still away on holidays, plans to add more players to the squad.
Last week the club announced the signing of 33-year-old defender Dean Heffernan, who Beauchamp knows well having previously played alongside him at the Mariners, Melbourne Heart and FC Nurnberg in the Bundesliga.
"All the boys are excited to be back - we haven't seen each other for a long time," Beauchamp said.
"It's a great bunch of boys in the team and we've got a few additions already and I'm sure the boss is looking at bringing in a few more players.
"It's exciting times to be in and around the club."
Beauchamp, the club's captain, says the players are aiming to go a step further than they did last season by winning the grand final.
"It's going to come down to a lot of hard work," Beauchamp told The Daily Telegraph.
"I'm sure there are going to be a lot more people with eyes on us, waiting for us to fail, but it's not going to happen.
"The pre-season is generally hard and last season was the hardest I've done. But I've already been told that this season is going to be harder, so hopefully the legs hold up."
Beauchamp revealed that Wanderers coach Tony Popovic, who is still away on holidays, plans to add more players to the squad.
Last week the club announced the signing of 33-year-old defender Dean Heffernan, who Beauchamp knows well having previously played alongside him at the Mariners, Melbourne Heart and FC Nurnberg in the Bundesliga.
"All the boys are excited to be back - we haven't seen each other for a long time," Beauchamp said.
"It's a great bunch of boys in the team and we've got a few additions already and I'm sure the boss is looking at bringing in a few more players.
"It's exciting times to be in and around the club."
