Melbourne City will not become A-League champions unless they switch on from the start in games, coach John Van’t Schip says.
City were 2-0 down against Wellington Phoenix after 15 minutes on Friday and, despite grabbing a goal back and regaining control, the match fell to the lowly hosts 2-1.
“If you really want to become that team … we need to improve and get better and make sure that we are there at the end,” Van’t Schip said.
“By the time we woke up they were 2-0 up,” he said.
“We were fighting too much against the circumstances instead of playing good football because we were not there from the start.”
The home side staged a determined rearguard effort, marshalled by captain Andrew Durante playing his 200th game, to deny City any points despite claims for a penalty in the second half.
“For me it looked clear cut,” he said of the tangle that Durante got in with Bruno Fornarolli.
Van’t Schip also took issue with more of New Zealand referee Matt Conger’s decisions in a scrappy game played in difficult blustery conditions at the Westpac Stadium.
“I think if you look back then everybody will see very clearly that we didn’t get anything awarded from the referee.
“I think that was the frustration – not taking away that we had a poor start – but we certainly didn’t get any help.
“It becomes difficult if you have to play against that as well.”
Fornarolli had a chance to level matters in the first half, but Phoenix keeper Glenn Moss did well to deny him and Aaron Mooy, who grabbed City’s goal via a deflected free kick, and hit the crossbar with a set piece after the interval.
City stay fourth after the result and will remain there after the round regardless of the outcome of the result between Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC on Saturday.
Waz
Guest
I hear what you're saying Fuss and anything is possible but times running out, especially for MC; only the top 3 teams can get a maximum points haul in the mid 50's now (54-56) with the teams in third to sixth place only being able to get to a maximum of 50, and Perth in 7th can haul in no more than 46 points. So for those outside of the top three not only do they need to land near maximum points but they have to hope all three sides at the top drop significant amount of points. It's possible but not probable - I can see one team doing that, possibly two but not all three. When Victory and SFC steamed to the top 2 last season they did it on the back of a good, consistent run in which only AU are demonstrating this season, Wanderers have the points on the board to feel confident but not safe and right now watching Roars defence us like a lucky dip so who know. Anyway best of luck tonight, flares aside its going to be another good run into the title race
FIUL
Guest
"the plate is starting to look like a 2 or 3 horse race and with time running out that even the inconsistencies at the top will matter less. As far as I see it the Top 3 teams have numerous matches where they will be taking points of each other & one team will either drop 3 points; or both teams drop 2 points. WSW: BRI, AUFC, MVFC, NIX (away) BRI: AUFC, WSW, MVFC, MCY, SYD, MVFC AUFC: BRI, NIX (away), MCY, WSW, SYD (away), MCY The in-form teams over the past 6 weeks are AUFC & Perth. Impossible to predict any 1 match outcome, so impossible to pick the Premiers; but if I had to pick I'd say Premiers: AUFC Champions: Perth Glory
Waz
Guest
Horto - fully agree with you on the finals, but the plate is starting to look like a 2 or 3 horse race and with time running out that even the inconsistencies at the top will matter less. The potential GF winner is a different matter, any one of 7 sides can make a decent challenge and actually win it - no team is showing the form that makes them dead certs although AU may well be hard to argue against if they keep their run going.
Waz
Guest
Stevo - you might be right, I was surprised he even started this season to be honest but I think CFG would do well to decide now and start the search for a decent coach early. The squad just needs a bit of a tweak then all the ingredients are there bar the coach
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
JA is no guardiola but I don't think he's *that* bad... This "basket-case-edness" should've been eliminated with the CFG take over, and let's be honest, it largely has been.. I've never liked jvs, but if he was the one that scouted forbaroli then that's some level of redemption. Although that mayve been a CFG masterstroke(??) It boggles the mind..maybe it's munn!! He's the common denominator! Lol. Waz, the plate may be a bridge to far, but I've got a bit of a sinking feeling about this finals series. Like I mentioned yesterday, Tuna on any given day/moment can turn a result on it's head. He's that good. Not a good thing for the rest of us in cup/elimination football. Interesting times.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Over the short history of the club we have had a constant turnover of players yet we manage to have the same inconsistent results. The one constant in all of this, apart from the short reign of JA, is JvS, the tanned-one. He is not up to it - full stop. He blames players for the slow start but we have seen this before. CFG will surely show him the door at the end of this season.
Waz
Guest
City have only won 3 times in the last 10 games and only one of those wins has been against title contenders (Wanderers). They have some great results against low ranking sides but the reality is City are just an inconsistent side who have surely left themselves with too much to do in the last 6 games to take the Plate? For once I don't think it's City's squad at fault, but I do think the coach is a liability although I expect CFG to give him one more season.