It is hard not to feel sorry for Sydney FC coach Ian Crook. With the eyes of the A-League on his team, they go and turn in one of the worst defensive performances ever seen in the competition.
Crook was suitably apologetic following his side’s 7-2 shellacking at the hands of the Central Coast Mariners.
“Firstly, I need to make an apology to our supporters who have been great all year and come up here in numbers again today,” Crook said in the post-match press conference.
“To see us get beat 7-2, which is hard to say, we need to say sorry to them.”
One wonders what Alessandro Del Piero made of the performance, with the Italian maestro one of several frontline Sydney players to miss the match through injury.
Del Piero was obviously brought in to bolster the attack but right now it’s Sydney’s defence causing Crook and his coaching staff all kinds of headaches.
After conceding an early lead, Central Coast’s equaliser just about summed up Sydney’s night.
Despite four Sydney defenders facing three Mariners attackers, the Sky Blues twice failed to clear a ball into the box, ultimately allowing the precociously talented Tom Rogic to sidefoot home a classy finish.
While Rogic’s decisive touch was a portent of things to come, there was no way his skidding drive should have been spilled by goalkeeper Ivan Necesvki for the Mariners’ second.
Nor was there any need for defender Trent McClenahan to barge over Michael McGlinchey inside the box and concede a penalty shortly before half-time.
McClenahan endured a nightmare evening and after Ali Abbas had pulled a goal back with a wonderful volley, the one-time West Ham man soon allowed the impressive McGlinchey to dance past him and lash home a superb fourth.
And given that Crook had already switched to three at the back at half-time, there was simply no way for the Sydney defenders to keep pace with the Mariners’ fleet-footed attack.
Even so, Rogic’s mesmerising feet in scoring Central Coast’s fifth deserve further scrutiny.
Not only does the youngster possess the one trait which sets genuine playmakers apart – a seemingly infinite amount of time on the ball – he’s also a composed decision-maker who makes the right decision more often than not.
Forget the fact he’s only 19, if Socceroos coach Holger Osieck is genuine about his desire to revitalise the national team, he should select the former Futsalroos star for the friendly against South Korea next week.
And as poor as Sydney’s defending was against the Mariners, it was the pace and penetration of Rogic and McGlinchey which undid them time and time again.
Crook said after the match he didn’t believe the lopsided scoreline came down to a lack of effort, however Fox Sports analyst Mark Bosnich was scathing in his assessment of the performance.
“That was an utter disgrace. For those people to travel up that motorway and witness that score against one of their main rivals… I’m sorry, that just ain’t good enough,” a fired-up Bozza said on Fox after the match.
“People pay good money to go and watch a football game, not to get slaughtered.”
That may be true, but it’s hard to see what Crook could have done differently in the face of such an attacking onslaught.
Had the Sky Blues simply sat back in the second half and attempted damage limitation, the Englishman would have been accused of throwing in the towel.
What Sydney desperately needs is the return of some key players, not least tough as teak central defenders Pascal Bosschaart and Adam Griffiths.
And while five games into the season is no time to be calling an end to a team’s chances of playing finals football, surely the alarm bells are ringing at Allianz Stadium on the back of one Sydney FC’s worst-ever displays.
Cameron
Roar Guru
hasn't the standard of the A-league gone to another level? No team is guaranteed anything. I'm sure not many thought WSW would be there. And with the performances put in by victory early who says they are any better? I don't think any team can be without a doubt guaranteed to win. Roar have in most Weeks dominated most aspects of play, only difference is goals. Their defence currently is good enough to place them in top six but finishing they are where they are. Round 10, round 15, whatever round suits better develop a comparison or a view on how teams are playing. If the Roar were to win five in a row everyone would say they are back and wow! But just because they currently sit in equal last on points, in a competition constantly evolving and improving doesn't mean they are under achieving. Ok they are current grand final champions but Perth glory who got off to a flying start last season were 9th half way threw. They bounced back and made the grand final. Central coast were only one win better than the Roar this time last season and finished first. If the Roar had of won they would be in exactly same position mariners were last season for this season. Isnt it better to be in contention then no contention at all? Roar have the players, and game play... I guess we will see in coming weeks.
Midfielder
Guest
Real Slip of the finger on the keyboard ... """becomes the status quo"""" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNPJuJSVmNA
Realfootball
Guest
You should be very concerned about Brisbane. I am. They look like a team badly down on confidence, motivation and leadership, with a coach who looks increasingly like a rabbit in a spotlight. To go from back to back Championships to second bottom of the table after 5 games suggests something is seriously wrong. Pre season was poor too. This is not a blip - this is a trend, and it needs to be broken very, very soon before it becomes the status quo.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Surely if you're only in a position to be fighting for a Top 6 berth by round 10, things have fallen well short of pre-season expectations...
Cameron
Roar Guru
I'm a Roar supporter and people say don't worry they will bounce back. Sydney fc although played woefully on the weekend have scored more goals and have scored in more matches. Defence is a concern for Sydney but attack for Brisbane is just as concerning. Sydney are not last, nor a Brisbane. It is only round 5 and if people are concerned about Sydney then I should be more concerned about Roar. Id be more concerned if these teams are not in contention for top six by round 10.
Realfootball
Guest
Agree, Mid. Goal of the season done and dusted already.
Midfielder
Guest
The second Sydney goal IMO was the best goal I have seen scored in Hal... they have fire power up front...
Realfootball
Guest
Already 3 coaches under the cosh - Aloisi, Vidosic and Crooke. And everyone has an opinion on what they should or should not be doing. Not for the faint hearted.
Realfootball
Guest
Good points. Yes, it must be tough having to keep players you don't want.
langou
Roar Guru
Should get a big crowd. Public holiday tomorrow and traditionally people like to head out the Monday before cup day
Mike Tuckerman
Expert
Nothing's funnier than a Simpsons quote.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Expecting to see the proverbial skulls cracked open and proverbial goo inside consumed within the next week or two. Panic Stations, this is no drill!
Roger
Guest
Heh.
Roger
Guest
You're right, Jason Culina could make a real difference in the midfield. But what about the defence? And what about the structure? That's up to the coach.
nachos supreme
Guest
I'm not sure about Lovrek, it's not like he's been getting great service is it?
Minister for Information for the Democratic People's Republic of Football
Guest
There's nothing wrong. Just a little iceberg. It's all good. No need to panic Captain Crook!
Punter
Guest
Yau, looked good yesterday & we will have Abbas onto the left where he belongs once Culina is fit, it's the defence that looks shaky.
Punter
Guest
Mariners & their COE has been very impressive!!!! They are the team to beat so far this year, as they have been the last couple of years with Brisbane Roar. Midfielder has been going on about this Cacares kid for awhile now, looking forward to seeing what he is like.
nordster
Guest
I guess the advantage Popovic has is its his squad largely...more so than Crook. So he got to build it being a first year club. Any coach coming into an existing club/squad inherits the previous side...true in all cases...but with our restrictive labour market regulations in the aleague, they are unable to "clean house" even if they can afford it. Wages still count to the equal opportunity cap allocation, even if they are released? Is this correct? Maybe they can convince them to retire en masse for dispensation. ;) Dont envy coaches in this league at all...barring maiden clubs, they are all very restricted in what they can do to refresh a squad and put their stamp on things. Not making excuses for Crook at all, happy seeing WSW dominating sydney football first year in.
Realfootball
Guest
The comparison between Sydney FC and Wanderers, where Popovic has built a highly competitive team on minimal time and a shoestring budget, bar Ono, does not flatter Crook, to say the least. My tip is that Wanderers will finish above Sydney FC on the table at season's end.