It may have been a promising start but Sydney FC coach Frank Farina knows how quickly things can turn.
The new-look Sky Blues kicked off their A-League campaign with a 2-0 victory over Newcastle in the season opener at Allianz Stadium last Friday.
Despite being injury depleted and having a newly assembled squad, they played a much closer version to the type of free-flowing football Farina had tried to drum into them last season to no avail.
Perhaps the only constant from their last campaign, where they finished a lowly seventh, was the brilliance of Italian legend Alessandro Del Piero, who scored the first goal and set up the second against the Jets.
But having just endured a rollercoaster season, Farina knows the victory will count for nothing if they can’t back it up.
“We were heavily criticised before a ball was even kicked in pre-season and for us to get a clean sheet and perform reasonably well was pleasing,” Farina said after training on Thursday.
“But it’s one game, so we’ve got to be honest.
“It’s nice to get off to a winning start but as we’ve seen in the past it’s consistency which every team searches for and we’re no different.”
The likes of Nick Carle and Richard Garcia added firepower up front while fellow new recruits Matt Thompson, Pedj Bojic and Marc Warren looked strong in defence.
And Farina, who set out to rebuild the squad in the off-season, said his new signings have transformed the side.
“They make a huge difference,” he said.
“I think the quality within our squad has improved, with no disrespect to any players from last year, but in terms or quality we’ve improved a lot.
“But I think last week proved that the work ethic is the most important thing.
“Because if you work hard then that quality will shine through in the end and we really have worked hard.”
But far from going up against a Jets side without injured frontmen Emile Heskey and Michael Bridges, Sydney will face a much tougher test this Saturday when they travel to Brisbane and face a fit and firing Roar featuring the ever-dangerous superboot Besart Berisha.
Not to mention Sydney’s less than impressive record in Brisbane where they have lost their last eight matches and not tasted victory since their 1-0 triumph in September 2007.
In a boost to the Sky Blues, midfielder Brett Emerton and Brazilian defender Tiago will both be fit for the the Suncorp Stadium clash.
“Brisbane is a very difficult trip,” Farina said.
“They’ve been playing some very good football, they’ve got some quality players in their side and our record up there is not too flash so it will be a difficult game.
“If we can get something out of this game it will be a huge confidence boost for everyone.”
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
The Sky Blues took the lead at home but couldn't hold on as the Mariners came back to claim a 2-1 win in the first leg of the semifinal.
Just four teams remain in the hunt for the 2023/24 A-League Championship and the action will be intense in the opening legs of the…
Cameron Burgess scored the winner to confirm Ipswich’s status as a Premier League club.
In a statement weekend, Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory made significant ones in advancing to the final four of the A-League finals. Now, most…
Joe Lolley was outstanding for the Sky Blues, scoring a brace as Sydney FC equaled their biggest ever victory.
Here is the way the Roar expert panel sees all the action unfolding across the final weekend of play prior to the semi-finals.
