Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold says removing self-doubt from his players is a key to his A-League club’s stunning success.
The Sky Blues created a five-point buffer at the top of the table with a 1-0 away win against Adelaide United on Friday night.
Arnold says strength of mind, as well as recruiting proven winners, is behind Sydney recent dominance of the domestic landscape.
“Everyone has doubts in life,” Arnold said.
“And it’s about reassuring and removing those.
“When those players go on the field to play, they have one thing on their mind and one thing in their brain – and that is to win.
“And that is how they do it.”
Arnold said he spent much time on working with his players’ “subconscious mind”.
“To make sure that their brains are clear and to make sure that they’re fresh and ready,” he said.
“And we make sure that we get the key messages through to them.
“In recruitment, we recruit winners. We recruit good people and players that want to play for the team not for themselves.”
Adelaide coach Marco Kurz noted Sydney’s abundant confidence levels in his club’s FFA Cup final loss to the Sky Blues and again on Friday night.
But Arnold said his outfit don’t sense the aura they carry.
“We don’t feel that,” he said.
“Every day, every game, to me it’s about being greater than what we were last week.
“And also I do truly believe we’re not even functioning at half. Of what I see at training compared to games, I don’t even think we’re halfway there.
“So my job is to try and get that out of them and we will get that out of them as time goes on.”
parkhacker
Roar Rookie
I hope the FFA hires an Australian coach Graham Arnold being the best prospect with his experience and winning ways.Others to consider-John Alosai ,Tim Cahill as captain coach and Craig Foster who has playing experience and superior football knowledge.Goodbye Postecoglou you were always leaving and tried to blame the media who has a job and a right to criticise coaches.Your continual complaining about not being 1 of the in crowd was annoying and I for 1 will not miss that.FFA make a decision NOW so the team and aussie fans know what is going on.
Kangajets
Guest
Arnold has a good record of recruiting. I still rate his achievements at the mariners higher as was done on a shoestring budget . Interestingly a chat I had with jets management was that arnie was very close to becoming the Newcastle coach , unfortunately tinkler wouldn’t pay up and we know how that ended for the jets , Phil stubbins and disaster . Hopefully Arnie gets a shot at the Socceroos job and Sydney FC get frank Farina back in charge .