Fine lines. That's what framed the A-League campaign. The finest margin of all came in the elimination final in Brisbane, courtesy of Jumpei Kusukami's underhit penalty. Western Sydney were the lowest-ranked team entering the top-six series, so some would argue justice was served, however harshly it was administered. That makes it a season of failure for the Wanderers, a club with much grander expectations. The key question is whether Popovic has lost his Midas touch.

Three grand finals in five seasons, and - unforgettably - the Asian Champions League title in 2014. That's the Popovic ledger. He's still in the black, but not by as much as he was.

Foreign recruitment (Dimas and Bruno Pinatares are already out the door, and Aritz Borda may be convinced to follow them), team selections, the use of the substitute's bench, an autocratic man-management style, an uneasy relationship with the media. None are hanging offences in isolation, but put together they've all contributed to Popovic's role in what's ultimately been a disappointing campaign.

The fans still seem to be onside, and the man that matters - chairman Paul Lederer - continues to back him. But other part-owners are less certain, and the proportion of disaffected supporters is growing. Popovic needs a rebound season to get his mojo back.

The irony is that he's built what's arguably the Wanderers' best-ever side, so the failure is especially acute. Popovic's tactical blueprint has evolved from a rudimentary counter-attacking style to a high-pressing possession game where there's a lot more football in the front third. So much more pleasing on the eye, and with players such as Nico Martinez, Mitch Nichols, Kusukami and Terry Antonis, there's enviable quality and variety in their attack. Elsewhere, the progress of Kearyn Baccus, Lachlan Scott, Jack Clisby, Scott Neville and Jonathan Aspropotamitis has been significant, while the mid-season recruitment of Vedran Janjetovic proved astute.

Trouble is, Popovic once again took too long to figure out his best combination. That's the winning one. And even then, he didn't settle on it. Rotation remains his obsession. Brendon Santalab being the perfect illustration.

For the second season in a row, Santalab has finished top scorer, and yet we're still left wondering whether he enjoys the full appreciation of his coach. Nine of Santalab's 21 appearances came off the bench. One week he scores a brace (against Wellington), the next week he's a reserve. The next week he's rested altogether.

When the Wanderers were desperate for a finishing touch - and Popovic was routinely lamenting the lack of composure in front of goal - the solution was obvious. Yet by the time Santalab got a run of games, the games were running out.

Would Western Sydney have finished in the all-important top four if "Santa" had been a regular starter? Quite possibly. You get the sense Popovic places way too much emphasis on "loading" stats in making his team selections. I mean, we have one of the shortest seasons in the world, so what are we "saving" players for? Asian Champions League commitments are only partly an excuse.

Science is relevant, but so is personality. Santalab is a born winner, who'll play through the pain barrier every time. Just give him the chance.

As the Wanderers brains trust review the season, they'll need to ask some hard questions of their coach if they're fair dinkum. If Popovic is fair dinkum, he'll be asking some even tougher questions of himself. With foreign clubs circling there's no guarantee he'll make it to the starting line for next season, contract or not. But if he does, the scrutiny, and the pressure, will be far tougher than it's been in the past.

None of this will faze Popovic, who's never lacked self-belief. There'll be the usual mass turnover of players, so another rebuild is on the way. Indeed there's only one player, Shannon Cole, left from the start, and his future is uncertain.

No wonder the Wanderers' short history has been such a roller-coaster. Churning through players (there have been 70 in five seasons) is the Popovic way. Is it still working? The answer is not as clear as it once was.