Bernie Ibini ... has a new-found confidence. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited
The Central Coast Mariners thought they were losing a player, but in fact it's like they got one.
When Bernie Ibini went to FC Brugge on a trial in January, Graham Arnold was resigned to losing him, just like Tom Rogic, in mid- season.
In fact the Mariners coach didn't just welcome his No.9 back, but an Ibini with a new-found confidence in himself.
The 20-year-old may well head permanently to Europe come the end of the season, but for now the Wanderers are the latest to face Ibini's dynamism with the A-League top spot at stake.
"It was a culture shock," admits Ibini of finding his first training session frozen out.
Arnold reckons it was the first time Ibini had seen snow.
"But it was a good culture shock, if that makes sense, because it challenged me and made me experience something new.
"I think I'm a lot better since, even if it was just a few days - going on that trip kind of showed me what I could do, made me believe in myself."
Two goals and an assist in a trial game was the highlight of his time in Belgium, allowing him to believe what others had told him for rather longer.
"He's a top talent, but the one thing that might have given him some doubts was just that, his belief in himself," Arnold said.
"No matter how much we told him, it was like he had to experience it himself.
"I would imagine he was quite shy going over there, but he trained the house down from all reports at a top European club. He came back a different person, but there's more to come.
"Physically he's still developing, still growing but his performances are getting stronger."
The abandonment of the Mariners' diamond formation has helped, with Ibini now playing on the wing.
"I have to be honest, I prefer that - the chance to get the ball at my feet and dribble," Ibini said, which is no surprise for as an 11-year-old he was fast enough to race 200m at state-level athletics.
As a product of western Sydney he's pleased at the success of the Wanderers, though "win or lose on Saturday night, I think there's a few twists and turns left in this season," he said.
"We'll both have four games left, and neither side will dare drop any points."
And after that? Brugge had reached a provisional deal with the Mariners in January, but needed to make space in their squad first.
It seems likely the move will happen in the off-season, but even the newly enthused Ibini won't assume anything.
"There was interest in January, but who knows what will happen at the end of the year," he said. "I'll have to wait and see."
Arnold has turned up the heat on Western Sydney by declaring the Wanderers have had more time to feel the pressure.
After the Mariners 0-0 draw with Suwon Bluewings on Wednesday, Arnold suggested the Asian Champions League game had proven a positive distraction.
"All the media are talking about Western Sydney and a lot have been talking about them being favourites and what a great experience it is going to be for them," he said.
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