To those who believe Sydney FC don’t deserve a top-six spot, coach Frank Farina has one thing to say: the table doesn’t lie.
The Sky Blues are sitting in fifth spot with seven games remaining before the finals.
Victory this weekend against the Central Coast will lift them above in-form Adelaide – a side who are going from strength to strength and who are hot off a sensational display in their 5-1 annihilation of Wellington on Thursday.
Just a month ago Sydney posted a shock 5-0 win over Melbourne Victory but slumped to back-to-back defeats as their rollercoaster season continued and pressure mounted on Farina during one of the club’s most trying times.
Two consecutive wins against Perth and Newcastle have since revived their finals hopes and Farina feels there could be a few more twists and turns before the season ends.
“We see it every week, there are, I won’t say upsets because they’re not upsets, but teams win against the form guide or against the tipsters,” he said.
“We’ve seen that anyone from the bottom half through to the top can lose or win on the day. It’s a matter of who turns up.
“We are at the business end of the season so I think it will be a scrap for everyone.”
Consistency has long been an elusive thing for Sydney, who have not won more than two matches in a row since November.
Of all the teams in the top six the Sky Blues are the only side who’ve suffered more losses (10) than they’ve had wins (9).
But Farina says they deserve to be in finals contention as much as any team and isn’t fazed by what critics may say.
“The table doesn’t lie,” he said.
“Sydney is Sydney – it’s probably under more scrutiny than any other club.
“The Central Coast have lost four games in a row plus the ACL game but they don’t cop as much shtick as Sydney do.
“I’m not concerned about the perception of people and if we start worrying about what some groups of people think then we’ve got some bigger problems.”
Squizz
Guest
Sydney FC against top 4 teams Brisbane 0 points from 6 WSW 0 points from 6 Adelaide 1 point from 6 CCM 0 points from 9 Next week against 2nd place WSW then 1st placed Roar then 3rd placed Adelaide. Last game of the month the Big Blue against the 5th placed Victory could well be Frankie's last game as it should be clear by then that the top 4 KPI is no chance and by that stage finals will also be long gone.
Johan
Guest
Roger- it is more than straight forward- reminds me exams where 40 per cent is the pass mark!!!
Roger
Guest
Sydney FC will deserve a top 6th spot if they have the points. If not, then they don't. And let's face it, really, a top 6 point isn't even great. All you need to do is win almost a third of your games, and draw almost a third of your games. I'd say it's fairly straight forward.
bill boomer
Guest
Ok. I'll bite. if they qualifythen they..... , so what? honestly, trying to dress it ( his season )up as some sort of success. The real question is are they getting better or are they getting worse? Shocking inconsistency and with ADP about to ride into the sunset Sydney imv are a club crying out for real renewal. That process begins at the top obviously and one need look no further than Adelaide to see that coaches matter and while the recent results are good the real dividends are in improving both the football the esteem in which the game is held. Gombau has become the poster child for reform. Anyway fifth, sixth and inconsistency are bad enough but like i said at the top getting better or worse.