Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold has finally got a team that can play the way he really wants to – and it’s because record goalscorer Marc Janko left.
The big Austrian striker was a key reason why the Sky Blues came within three points of winning last season’s A-League premiership and made it to their first grand final since 2010.
But Arnold says Janko’s undeniable menace in the box was also what limited the squad in his first season at the helm, and stopped the former Central Coast mentor implementing the free-flowing style he is known for.
“We had to build the team around Marc to get the best out of him,” Arnold told AAP.
“What I inherited at the start of last year players-wise, I had to look at their strengths and also their weaknesses – and I know how fickle Sydney FC fans are, that we needed results.
“I thought that probably the best thing to do at that time was to get a big striker that we could play direct to if we had to.”
It worked, and worked well.
The flair of winger Bernie Ibini among others ensured there was plenty of service out wide for the prolific Janko, whose 16 goals made him the league’s leading goalscorer and the best ever for the Sky Blues in a single season.
But the departure of both Janko and Ibini, and a host of others including defender Nikola Petkovic and Terry Antonis presented an opportunity for wholesale change.
For any rival A-League defenders under the impression they’ll be under less pressure this season, Arnold cites his quartet of experienced forwards bristling with versatility and ability to switch positions throughout a match.
In Janko’s marquee place is adaptable Slovakian World Cup international Filip Holosko, an ex-Besiktas mainstay who can play anywhere across the front line but is a handy replacement for Ibini on the right wing.
Then there’s former Serbian international Milos Ninkovic, compatriot of re-signed midfielder Milos Dimitrijevic and a natural No.10.
It will also be veteran Kiwi striker Shane Smeltz’s season to step up after patiently playing second fiddle to Janko, while captain Alex Brosque will join him up front.
The new set-up marks a revolution that puts the grand finalists more in line with Arnold’s traditional football philosophy.
“I like to play between the lines, I don’t like to play direct,” Arnold said.
“So now Ninkovic can play at No.10 or on the left, Smeltz can play at No.9, Brosque can play at No.10 and No.9.
“They can interchange throughout the whole game. That’s what we’ve been working on.
“There’ll be no set positions really for them, as long as one of them is in the right area at the right time.
“Hopefully those four will share the goals that Marc scored.
“It’s what we’ve been working on at training, and it will evolve as the season goes on.”
Arnold doesn’t expect a finished product in round one, when Sydney host Melbourne Sydney at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.
He’s content to watch his new stars and swathe of young talent grow and mould together throughout the season, in an ultimate bid to go one better than their 3-0 grand final loss to Melbourne Victory.
“I always try to send a team out to win the game and show them how to win the game, then they’ve got to go and execute.”
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