Western Sydney Wanderers goalkeeper Vedran Janjetovic won't be bothered by a hostile reception from his former club in the Sydney derby this weekend.
Janjetovic spent four seasons with Sydney FC before moving to crosstown rivals the Wanderers last season.
The 30-year-old has had a frosty relationship with Sydney FC fans, who famously threw plastic snakes at him when he played his first derby for the Wanderers.
He isn't worried about being jeered by Sydney FC fans.
"It's just a bit of banter. For me it's nothing. It doesn't affect me one bit," Janjetovic said. "Obviously you expect that having played for so long and moving over to the rival team. It's normal. They're just showing their passion and it's understandable."
Since the teams couldn't be split in a 2-2 draw in round three they have had contrasting fortunes. Sydney FC top the league and are unbeaten, while the Wanderers' A-League campaign was already tumultuous after coach Tony Popovic walked out a week before the season started to coach in Turkey. His replacement, former Adelaide United coach Josep Gombau, was appointed last month but is yet to record a win for his new club.
Janjetovic said it's only a matter of time before the Wanderers start to flourish under their new coach.
"It's no secret we've had a few disruptions. I think everyone's handled it pretty well. Now that we've got a concrete base, a good coach, everyone knows what's expected of them," he said.
The Wanderers have struggled to maintain leads in recent games but Janjetovic isn't concerned his defence is leaking goals.
"We've been patchy in games. We've shown what we can do then we've gone back to some old habits. I think once we make that full circle with how Josep wants us to play I think we're going to be very hard to beat," he said.
"I'm not really worried at all. It's just a transition period for us."
Janjetovic is looking forward to embracing a boisterous derby crowd at Olympic Park.
"It's almost like a dream come true playing in front of a packed house like that," he said.
"I'm the type of player that feeds off the energy of the crowd, just being in that atmosphere. It pumps you up a little bit more."
"It's an amazing, electrifying atmosphere. It's going to be awesome."
The Wanderers are ninth on the A-League ladder and are desperate for a victory after recording only one win so far this season.
"A win this week will surely give us the confidence we need and catapult us up that ladder a little bit further with a game in hand as well," Janjetovic said.
"It's a special occasion and hopefully we do well."
The clash at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night will be the first time the W-League and A-League Sydney derbies will be played in a double-header.
