Before the game against Wellington Pheonix, everyone was talking about Sydney FC hadn’t changed and are still the brutally consistent team they were for the past two years.
They knew that this was the time where they could really get their season going, and maybe even go top of the table. But then Sydney FC’s defence got broken apart.
Not once, not twice but three times when Jop Van Der Linden’s marking cost Sydney conceding.
Michael Zullo was doing his best to cover, but he was already narrow enough and he must have thought that if he went any narrower than that would have opened up tons of space for Wellington to attack down.
He was in two minds, but if Van Der Linden hadn’t been dragged to the ball and had been marking his man, it could have been a very different game.
Sydney FC hasn’t got that much worse, it’s just that a lot of league teams have gotten better.
There are no less than six A-league teams that can contest the championship this season, and at the moment pretty much every game in the has A-league is close and contested (excluding three or four games).
So even though Sydney did lose three key players, they haven’t actually gotten a lot worse. One example is last year.
Central Coast were almost always beaten, and their squad was nowhere near up to scratch, with Daniel De Silva being the only standout player.
This year, they have a way better squad, having gotten a new captain in Matt Simon, and also have captured Kalifa Cissé on a one-year deal, Tommy Oar on a two-year deal and Ross McCormack on a one-year loan.
Yet, they still remain around the same spot in the league.
Bruno Fornaroli of City clashes with Kalifa Cisse of the Mariners during the round 2 A-League match between the Central Coast Mariners and Melbourne City at Central Coast Stadium in Gosford, Saturday, October 27, 2018. (AAP Image/Darren Pateman)
It this just plain bad luck, the players underperforming, injuries or the A-league’s standard getting higher?
It’s because of the A-league’s standard getting higher, but injuries haven’t exactly helped the Mariners, with Tommy Oar being injured and same with Ross McCormack, and they are two key players on the Mariners side.
Even though it hasn’t been far through the season, the fact that the table is so close (excluding Central Coast Mariners) shows how close the standard of teams are this year, which means it could be a very exciting season.
Last season, Sydney FC won by 14 points, which is a lot, especially considering that there were only 27 matches.
A thing that argues against my theory is that there were 14 points between top and bottom at this time last season, and this season 15 points separate bottom and top, so I could be wrong there.
However, you have to keep in mind that Brisbane (second lowest this season) are on 6 points and Mariners (last) are on two points, so if you were to do it from second last, then only eleven points separate them.
Also, Newcastle Jets, Wanderers and Wellington Pheonix are all on eight points, and Sydney FC and Adelaide are tied on eleven points.
Overall, it is true that Sydney FC might not be up to the standard that they were last season, but they could be better than everyone believes.
Jack George
Roar Guru
I agree, Melbourne Victory might not be consistent enough to win the league, but they have so many good big game players, Honda and Toivonen are just two of them, so I think they will really come out to shine in the finals.
Jack George
Roar Guru
But if Van Der Linden hadn't been drifting and had been marking his man Zullo could have been in his normal position. But I agree, you can't defend on the outside of a speedy striker.
chris
Guest
Zullo might have been narrow, but you don't defend on the outside of a speedy aggressive opponent.
Jack George
Roar Guru
Yes, but in the preseason he was very good, especially in the FFA Cup matches. Also, he scored a very good goal against the Wanderers in the FFA Cup semi-final which showed a great mixture of pace and composure, and that's really what Sydney need now.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
yes, but I think it's too early Jack. Muscat is a motivator, and Honda too it seems. But a few bumps could come their way still. Many games to go.
Jack George
Roar Guru
I agree, but to be honest I can't see Melbourne Victory not making the final this year.
Jack George
Roar Guru
Yes I agree, and no one knows what he's doing or the emotions he's showing away from the camera, but so far it hasn't worked. An example of that is against Wellington Pheonix. He didn't show emotions on the field, and that's fine, but after halftime, it didn't appear that Sydney didn't wanted the game, but that might not be his fault.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
That's a bit rich Josh, a terrible place? Their team in recent years played a rather boring game at times but that's not to brand all their games and teams as boring. They did play some beautiful games too, more so in their second season, and it was our challenge to catch them, which we didn't. The real problem is that we just don't like Sydney or Melbourne to win, for various reasons. When they win ugly it is so much worse, and we want them to win ugly so we can throw a few cans at them. It's in our DNA.
Kangas
Roar Rookie
Agree about the Pheonix and Melbourne Victory and Perth are better At the moment the others have gone back, but there is a long way to go .
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
Jack, just because a coach doesn't show his emotions externally, doesn't mean he's not feeling strong emotions within, or that he's not passionate. Could mean he's got his mind and eyes on what is unfolding in front of him too.
Kangas
Roar Rookie
Buhagiar was struggling to get in the mariners team last year
Jack George
Roar Guru
The only two problems I see with Corica is that he seems emotionless, whereas Graham Arnold was passionate, as Corica always looks the same on camera, and also he doesn't seem willing to change the tactics, even though everyone seems to have figured out how to press Sydney.
Jack George
Roar Guru
But they were trying to prove that.
Jordan Klingsporn
Roar Guru
Although that sounds biast, i agree.
Jack George
Roar Guru
Sydney FC fans are passionate, whereas Melbourne Victory fans are arrogant
Jack George
Roar Guru
Next year when they get Buhagiar back they will have more pace and some more youth. That could have a big impact on Sydney.
TomC
Roar Guru
I think it's true that the quality has gotten noticeably better this year. A great example are the Phoenix, who've been super to watch the last two weeks, particularly in their first halves.
josh
Guest
Good riddance, the A League is a terrible place when these guys are winning. When Newcastle looked the goods, or when Perth are up and about fans of other teams can tolerate it because it's interesting, but Sydney FC winning is dire because their fans are just so arrogant.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Yeah, a wonderful two years and a hard act to follow. I don’t think Sydney are far off the pace but they lack that discipline and consistency Arnie had instilled in them from game to game.
Punter
Roar Rookie
Yes the signs have been there all season, teams have got used to their playing style, they have no pace up front & are getting older. However, what a wonderful 2 years, probably the most successful club over a 2 year period, won 2 premierships by 17 pts & 14 pts respectively, won grand final & made 2 FFA cup finals including winning 1. I think SFC will make finals, but now looking for next year to try to match MV & PG.