Wanderers regaining strength with playoffs just around the corner
There was a moment where the Wanderers felt stretched like an old plaid shirt.
However, with several players returning from international duty, suspension and injuries, the squad is nearing full strength ahead of Saturday's important clash versus Atlético Ottawa, who stand between Halifax and a hosting a home playoff match, and the ensuing post-season tumult.
"We've been so thin," Wanderers head coach Patrice Gheisar told media on Friday. "We've had a really, really young squad, which is great to have but like you said, Wesley (Timóteo) is back, (Andre Rampersad) and (Ryan) Telfer have arrived back, Tiago (Coimbra's) really catching his waves, Vitor (Dias') available for selection. It's a good headache to have."
For a moment, Halifax's stitches were showing as leading goal scorer Coimbra was knocked out on September 1. Speedy winger Jason Bahamboula, who stepped into the No. 9 role, did well before suffering a season-ending injury. And Reshaun Walkes — signed as depth by the club — dealt with a knock almost immediately.
Add in Rampersad and Telfer's international duty with Trinidad and Tobago in the most recent international window, and suspensions to Timóteo and Adam Pearlman over the last few weeks, and you start to get an idea as to the Wanderers' availability issues during the most crucial part of the season.
Josh Healey
Gheisar said Saturday's match, which holds title implications for the visitors, is an opportunity to get important touches with his squad before the real fun starts.
"If we want to go deep in the playoffs, this is a team that we'll probably meet again as I'm sure (Atlético Ottawa) have the ambition of not only winning the league but also winning the playoffs," he said. "I know a lot of our players look forward to these games, especially when you're playing at home."
Saturday, of course, will also be incredibly important for the Wanderers. They currently sit fourth on the table with 39 points but have York United FC breathing down their necks as a single point separates them on the last day of the regular season. If Halifax is able to perform, and the football gods favour them, they may finish as high as third, crucially locking up a home playoff match.
It's no secret that the Wanderers are a different club playing in front of their fans. They've earned points in 10 out of their 13 home matches this year. And it may decide which path they tread heading into playoffs.
Hosting another home playoff match — like they did in Gheisar's first season at the helm in 2023 — stands as the clear goal.
"It certainly goes down as one of the most incredible football days I've ever had," Gheisar said.
But Gheisar knows Saturday will also be about further building up his squad and getting into the groove ahead of playoff football. They're guaranteed, should they advance, to have to play on the road so he needs his players rolling.
"I think we're at a very good place in regards to momentum and belief. Confidence is repetition, confidence is momentum and confidence more than anything is belief," said Gheisar. "We've got to believe we can beat anyone anywhere."
Their final regular season test, however, comes first and will set the stage for Halifax's playoff run and, potentially, the future of Gheisar and several players who are out of contract.
Cover Photo Credit: Trevor MacMillan / Halifax Wanderers FC
