Love them or hate them, Sydney FC are an incredibly important team in the A-League both in terms of history and keeping the game functioning.
Topping the leaderboard with an average home attendance of 17,008 (5,059 more than next best Western Sydney) along with an impressive trophy cabinet of five championships, four premiers plates, and an Australian Cup, the Sky Blues are arguably the biggest club in the country.
That’s why last season was such a shock to many. Sydney finished the campaign languishing in eighth position with eight wins out of a possible 26, only to carry that dreadful form into 2022/23 by starting poorly, picking up 13 points in the first 10 games.
The signs were clear that they were struggling to form any sort of real consistency and patterns in their build-up play, not taking matches by the scruff of the neck and dominating as they once did.
Injuries were a factor and key departures in the form of Miloš Ninković and Kosta Barbarouses forced the team to adapt rather quickly with a lack of depth at their disposal.
However, it’s coach Steve Corica’s inability to rejuvenate and tinker with the structure and blueprint left behind by former predecessor Graham Arnold that has ultimately rendered them a more conservative side.
For all of the criticisms aimed at Arnold for his brand of football, he understood when to pick the right moments both defending and going forward and at times, he did produce some exciting phases of play.
Corica has struggled to find that balance up until the past few months as Sydney seems a side reborn who possesses an identity for the meantime.
Most people would look at Sydney’s squad and ask themselves why they aren’t doing better. There’s still obvious talent and experience there such as the likes of LeFondre, Mak, Burgess, Lolley, Wilkinson and Grant.
The perception is that they definitely have another gear or two in them to thrust.
The recent 1-1 draw away to Adelaide and the victory in the Sydney Derby on Saturday night come to mind. In both those encounters, all credit goes to Corica who I thought managed those games extremely well. They were happy to hand over possession but were lethal up front and took their opportunities when required.
Sydney FC Manager Steve Corica (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Perhaps, Corica has rediscovered Arnold’s framework?
Sydney’s recent form of six matches unbeaten has them primed to put up a real fight against the regular season champions Melbourne City, a team who I’ve noted in the past as displaying some patches of the best scintillating football in the A-League era.
In fact, these two heavyweights have always matched up well against one another, notably this season in their two meetings. The combined averages in key stats are scarily similar, with City averaging 16 shots and 5 on target while Sydney tallied 14 and 6.5 respectively, proving that goal-scoring chances shouldn’t be that difficult to come by for both teams.
Even in possession where you expect City to dominate, only averaged 51.5%.
Corica’s men were able to score two goals in both of those encounters, signalling the weaknesses that Melbourne City have at the back and the holes they can often leave behind at certain moments, despite the inspirational heroics of Jamie Maclaren up the other end of the ground.
Two-legged semi-finals are fascinating because it requires a club to be asked the question of managing a game for not only 90 but 180 minutes which throws in intriguing tactical battles as well as shifts in momentum and control.
The away goal rule is scrapped, changing the dynamics of how both teams treat this fixture.
Sure, Melbourne City were by far the best team in the competition during the regular season. Unfortunately for them, finals football presents a whole new ball game and anything can happen, albeit this tie not being a one-off game.
Sydney is peaking at the perfect time, and City must be wary of that.
AR
Roar Rookie
Gotta say, it does seem pretty funny that Syd FC fans have protested for a whole week...before turning up at home for the next final the very next week. That'll show 'em.
JoshW
Roar Rookie
You do realise it comes across as 'didn't think we'd beat WSW so we'll stay away but we won so oh we're back'?
Sheffield WesDay
Roar Rookie
The Cove were very clear that the boycott of the finals was not a response to the Grand Final decision. They have stated a number of times that the boycott was a response to the fact that after the GF decision was made and we saw all the uproar including the pitch invasion, the APL said they would implement plans to include fans and fan groups more in the direction of the comp. Months after this statement the APL have still yet to implement or consult the fans in any meaningful way, and the Cove felt the best way to demonstrate their displeasure with yet more lip service and broken promises (or lies if you see it that way) was to boycott finals as it would be the most visible opportunity they would have this season to be seen and heard. It is worth pointing out that after the COVE announced their boycott of the finals (literally on the same day for the Brisbane Roar) clubs made announcements in regards to starting their own fan advisory (or similar) groups. The Roar's EOI for a position on their group closes this week I believe. So I say congrats to the COVE, it seems that some clubs took their actions seriously., and I look forward to seeing them at this week's finals.
Grem
Roar Rookie
And proper football articles, like we all want, would keep the trolls away. Notice how people like Christo the Diddlyo don’t comment on proper football articles.
Grem
Roar Rookie
They might have a chance against - Redmane, King, Wilkinson and Rodwell (all Socceroos or Premier League/English international players), Brattan, Caceras, Burgess, Lolley, LeFondre and Mac. Should be a cracking game.
Christian Montegan
Roar Pro
It's not a bad line-up to have that's for sure with the likes of Nabbout and Jamieson also alternatives. They're a talented side obviously, but I was just thinking do they really have the depth that some assume they have? Every team in the league has kids to call upon which is expected given the salary cap situation, however, I think people just assume they are stacked with more depth than they actually have
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Why dont you got to keepup they have had enormous coverage A-league , Aussies abroad, Socceroos and Matildas, NPL. What the rest of the football journos are doing in this country, maybe snorting stuff and do one article a week. The story of Jade North playing two games on the same night recently when someone got injured in the warm up in the Brisbane NPL in his 40's. WHy he was playing in the U23 team I dont know. Even more fascinating the story of the Aussie manager in England Jon Brady from Newcastle.Just won promotion to League One. Has spent his whole adult career in England was mainly a conference player but will now coach at League One level.
Christian Montegan
Roar Pro
I think Sydney needs to look at someone much younger than Young (excuse the pun). If I were Sydney and the chance presented itself, I would look at bringing a player back such as Matt Jurman who's currently with the Jets to replace Wilkinson.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
City: Glover; Talbot, Reis, Good, Bos; Berenguer, O’Neill, van der Venne; Leckie, Maclaren, Tilio. That's a pretty handy line-up for City. Goals all over the park people. Bring it on :stoked:
Limo
Roar Rookie
Thankyou for putting up a normal positive oriented football story on the A league...we just need 500 if these each year..not just one.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Young to City and Glover overseas. Heard it here first :thumbup:
Grem
Roar Rookie
I didn’t direct any abuse at them. I thought they looked fantastic and I’m glad they were there. Perhaps The Cove helped speed up the response from the APL to make sure club representative groups are formed – perhaps not? The APL had been sitting on this for a while and now something is happening. They responded to the Cove’s request for communication and now The Cove are back. They’re my thoughts, but as I’m not a Cove member I’m guessing.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
https://www.theage.com.au/sport/soccer/bos-moves-is-this-australian-fans-last-chance-to-see-gen-next-in-the-flesh-20230510-p5d78b.html Jordan Bos to Belgium for around $2M and Tilio most likely to follow out the door. Step right up, step right up to see Aussie talent on show at the SFC v MC semis. Last chance folk, don't miss your opportunity :happy:
ShirleyKnot
Roar Rookie
I agree with you chris1 - I'm in Sydney & hoping for a Melb City vs CCM final. We'll be at the GF (wearing a WSW scarf) ;-)
ShirleyKnot
Roar Rookie
Here, here - although I will be cheering for Melb City :-)
ShirleyKnot
Roar Rookie
I have the same question - what has The Cove achieved? It seems rather hypocritical after the criticism (ie. abuse) directed to the RBB for turning up last week to support WSW.
Garry
Roar Rookie
lacroix had a bad year but improved towards the end..
chris1
Roar Rookie
Great point about Redmayne. I've never actually thought about it but you are right he doesn't dominate the area like Young would. I think Redders is too nice a guy to give the impression he'd clean someone up if he had to. Young would :)
chris1
Roar Rookie
SS the thing is there will always be people like you (many of them) that will never be satisfied. It's their way or burn it all down. For me? I'm happy to sit in a wonderful stadium with my mates and enjoy a good game of football which is what SFC have been doing. If I sit there and carry on about all the machinations and all the injustices I'd never go to any games. Yes I'm in Sydney but if it was Victoria (yeah right) or Qld bidding and getting the rights, I'd be all supportive of it, if it meant locking in a proper stadium and getting a few millions to boot.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Can’t be reversed this year – obviously can’t happen. They are now getting groups together to consult, so hopefully no other stupid decisions are made in the future. And the NSW Labor government might be keen to save money for the next 2 years so it could change for next season. If not, let’s see how this decision pans out and can it if it’s as bad as we think. The APL do run the game, with many of them putting in millions of dollars so they do deserve to have a say on how the game is run. I’m just happy that Scott Barlow and others give me a team to support and enjoy.