Tara Murray
Western United young gun Adisu Bayew is starting to feel at home in the A-League.
After making his A-League debut last season, Bayew has stepped into the senior squad full time this season.
Having grown in confidence, he has started to get regular minutes as the season has progressed.
He produced his best performance of the season in United’s most recent match against Brisbane Roar scoring his first A-League goal. United coach John Aloisi said they needed some young players to step up while players are out injured and Bayew was doing exactly that.
Bayew said he was enjoying the move from the club’s youth league side, to the senior side.
“It’s a massive jump,” he said .”There’s so many things that are different in terms of intensity, quality and professionalism as well.
“It’s a massive jump, but it’s something I’ve adapted to and I feel comfortable in this environment now after the pre-season.
“I would say I’m doing alright and trying to do what the coach asks of me.”
Having grown up in Sunshine and St Albans, playing for United is a dream come true for Bayew. He played his junior football at Sunshine George Cross, before moving to Green Gully, before entering the Western United system.
He said he could have never imagined playing for a team in the west when he was growing up.
Personally he said he knows there’s still improvement in his game. One focus was to score his first goal, which he has now achieved.
“My performances have been alright, I haven’t had an amazing performance so far. I’m looking to continue to get comfortable and build on my performances and get to the standard that I believe I can reach.”
Breaking through into an A-League team is hard enough, let alone one that is towards the top of the table and contending for the title.
Bayew said the group had worked really hard to get where they are now.
“We’re very happy with how the season has gone,” he said.
“It had been a really good pre-season and all the boys worked hard and we’re where we are at right now.
“We trained almost every day, long sessions, sometimes double sessions.
“We pushed through that and any obstacle that came our way just pushed through it.
“It’s all well deserved. The aim to go all the way and win it. Hopefully we win the games to come and come finals we can go all the way.”
Long term, Bayew wants to cement his spot in United’s starting line up.
He also wants to continue to grow and see where it takes him.
“I want to continually improve with my team,” he said. “My individual goals are to continue to have a breakout season.
“Scoring goals and getting my name out there and hopefully becoming a professional player, starting week in week out and potentially being selected for national teams.
“I know there’s a lot of work for me to do personally.”
