David Carney believes Sydney FC can still win the A-League, backing the playing group to get the job done at the tail end of the season.
The Sky Blues find themselves in the bottom four for the first time this campaign, but only one point adrift of the six frontrunners.
And as the team draw a line under the first 22 fixtures and focus on the final five, Carney sees the glass as half full.
The 32-year-old former Socceroo said a win over Wellington at Allianz Stadium on Saturday would provide the jump-start needed to ensure their campaign doesn’t end with the home-and-away campaign.
“We definitely need results, but what’s done is done,” Carney said.
“The performances have been good, so there’s still a lot of positive with the players.
“Everyone backs everyone. We can beat anyone … we’ve got a good enough squad to still win it.
“So we’re not nervous, but we’ve just got to make sure we start delivering and take it game by game.
“We’ve got five games left, and like Graham Arnold said it’s a mini-tournament for us now.
“We’ve got to make sure we win on Saturday and kick on from there.”
After Wellington, Sydney play Central Coast before tough matches against Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.
On paper the Phoenix and Mariners – the league’s bottom two sides – appear to be the must-win contests of the five.
However, coach Graham Arnold saw it a different way.
“It’s the so-called easier teams that we’re not performing great against,” he said.
“The harder teams are the ones we’re performing against.
“Western Sydney Wanderers for example are up the top of the table, and we’ve got seven points from nine against them.”
The odds are in Sydney’s favour against struggling Wellington, but Ernie Merrick’s side have sprung a couple of surprises of late, including a 2-1 defeat of Melbourne City a fortnight ago and last month’s outrageous 5-2 demolition job of Western Sydney.
If the Sky Blues win, it will mark their first triumph against a team outside NSW this campaign.
Caltex & SBS support Australian Football
Guest
That comment coming from Lakemba FC supporter is fascinating..
Paul
Guest
Time to see reality Eastern Suburbs Football Club. The finals race is over and the only thing that might happen this season, with a very low probability, is that you get out of the ACL Group stage.
Paul
Guest
Qatar was the rumour before Christmas but it is obviously China. Why would he want to stay with Arnie
Paul
Guest
Lol
Caltex & SBS support Australian Football
Guest
When the going gets tough---the tough get going... Go you Sky Blues!
BES
Guest
Oh an btw - I am pretty over this Brisbane is too old rubbish everyone keeps regurgitating. WSW, SFC and Perth all have older squads than Brisbane - how often do we hear any of them "accused" of being too old??
BES
Guest
rotflmao yep with The Grump, Carney and Matt Simon!! Ooooo - the rest of us are shaking in our boots...... Tell im he's dreamin'
Kaks
Roar Guru
With the way he's playing in the ACL compared to league games, I dont think he wants to move to another A-league club..
Paul
Guest
Which club would take him if he moves? Melbourne Victory to replace Barbarouses? Don't think so Adelaide? Already have Goodwin Wanderers? Full roster Phoenix? Maybe Brisbane? The squad already has one of the highest average ages! Manchester (opps Melbourne City)? No room there Perth? No room there either Obviously not Newcastle? That only leaves the Mariners! Halfway between Sydney and Newcastle. Perfect location plus he can have all the sauce he wants!
Matthew
Guest
Its hard NOT to talk about a club when there are only 10 of them. Plus Sydney like to talk about themselves a lot. Frankly every club does. They want to be in the public eye. Glory does it, Newcastle does it, Sydney does it, Melbourne and so on.
josh
Guest
Sydney FC hate living in the shadow of WSW that's why they constantly talk about us. Small Club Syndrome at it's worst.
Paul
Guest
Let's look at the last 5 games for Sydney FC R23 v Wellington Phoenix @Home. Based on Arnie's comment about playing badly against lower teams. Prediction Loss or Draw 15/16 Mar ACL Game Away R24 v Central Coast Mariners Away. Based on Arnie's comment about playing badly against lower teams. Prediction Loss or Draw R25 v Brisbane Roar Away. Might play well but most likely result a draw or loss R26 v Adelaide @Home. Might play well but most likely result a draw or loss 4 Apr ACL Game @Home R27 v Perth @Home. Might play well but most likely result a draw or loss Based on Perth's run-in with the Mariners, Phoenix, Newcastle, Melbourne City and Sydney, it is highly unlikely that Sydney FC can get past Perth. Perth will be without Risdon for 3 games during the WC Qualifiers. The only chance Sydney FC have is to take Melbourne Victory's spot as they have ACL as well The run-in for Melbourne Victory is Brisbane Away, ACL Game, Newcastle @Home, Wanderers @Home, Phoenix Away, ACL Game and Brisbane Roar @Home. Melb Vic will be Geria for 3 games during the WC Qualifiers. Also, Sydney has not been a non-NSW team this season and they have 4 non-NSW teams to play plus 2 ACL games. Also, no Brosque to lead the front line, Smeltz totally out of form, plus 3 more players on 4 yellows (Ninkovic, Dimitrijevic and Hoole). The only shining light for Arnie is that they won 2 out the 3 Sydney Derbies this season which saves his neck.
Punter
Guest
Have fun guys, remember every do g has his day!!!!!
Kaks
Roar Guru
I legitimately cold not help but laugh at every comment made by Arnie & Carney, they were made for each other
Fadida
Guest
Carney's quote in full, "Sydney can still win the league. If they don't I'm moving to a club who can pay me more"