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Sydney to rethink tactics for Roar clash

Roar Guru
29th December, 2014
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A change of tactics is on the cards for Sydney FC as the A-League glamour club attempts to arrest its five-game losing streak against Brisbane Roar on Tuesday.

Sydney FC’s injury crisis forced coach Graham Arnold to change the 4-2-3-1 formation they employed successfully when unbeaten over the first eight rounds.

Arnold felt the need to adjust to the players he had available as key players Ali Abbas, Nicky Carle, Corey Gameiro and Sasa Ognenovski were all ruled out for the season.

But he admits he’ll have a rethink after the recent string of losses which caused Sydney FC to slip to fifth on the ladder.

“We’ve been playing the last few games 4-4-2 to get the fit and healthy players on the field for a system that’s suited,” Arnold said on Monday.

“We’ll have a look at that again, so things might change.”

Austrian striker Marc Janko remains in doubt for the clash with the defending champion Roar at Suncorp Stadium after he strained a hip flexor muscle in last Friday’s 3-0 loss to Adelaide.

Attacker Alex Brosque looks set to play after battling a groin injury, but young midfield star Terry Antonis is away on Socceroos duty.

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“It can’t be about what’s missing, it’s got to be about what we’ve got here,” Arnold said.

“I’ve got enough faith in the quality we’ve got in the dressing room that we can get the right result and move forward.

“We started well and we’re having a bit of a dip at the moment but it’s how you come out of that.

“I’ve got all the confidence in the world in these boys that when we get out of it – and we will get out of it, hopefully that’s tomorrow night – it will take off again from there.”

The seventh-placed Roar are looking to climb into the top six for the first time this season after a 3-3 draw with the Central Coast on Saturday.

Midfield linchpin Luke Brattan was rested for that match with a hamstring twinge, but is expected to face the Blues after training on Monday.

Fellow midfielder Adam Sarota is confident he and Brattan can help plug the hole left by skipper Matt McKay, who is with the national team.

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“It’s always going to be difficult without Matty there, but I think me and Bratts should be able to do it,” Sarota said.

“It’s an important game for Sydney, but I think it’s a lot more important for us.”

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