Sydney FC Head Coach Graham Arnold has hinted that he may alter his squad for Thursday night’s clash against the Wellington Phoenix at Allianz Stadium (kick off 8pm).
With a short turn around between games Arnold said he’d look to utilise the depth the Sky Blues possess to possibly shuffle his starting eleven with Jacques Faty returning to training this week and with 24 players fit and available.
“They’re in good spirits and we’ll do a recovery session today, there’s no use putting too much into their legs at training this week with the short turnaround,” Arnold said.
“They’re all good, no injuries, a bit tired but everyone gets that when they travel to Perth.
“I’ll see how they’re working at training, I am considering some fresh legs, bringing them in this week.
“We have a good young squad in depth and some of the young boys have been working hard and training extremely well, every time they come off the bench they’re doing well so maybe it’s time for them to start.
“Jacques is back, he trained yesterday but again he flew in on Saturday so a trip to Europe and back, we’ll have to see how he’s pulled up with the travel and the jet lag and we’ll see how it is tomorrow.
“Andrew Clark has everyone fit, 24 players, I have to leave two out every day at training in 11 v 11 and that’s not nice.
“I don’t normally do it but I’ll probably wait until the last minute to name the team for this week.”
Arnold stressed the need for improved performances at home to mirror the Sky Blues phenomenal away record as he said that while a Thursday night fixture is an inconvenience he’s hoping for a good turnout at Allianz Stadium.
“Everyone has a Thursday night game and it’s our turn to have a Thursday night game,” he said.
“It’s good for viewers at home to watch football Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday but sometimes for the public to turn up, kids after school, after work hours, it can be difficult,
“We’re hoping our supporters get out on Thursday night for pretty much our only Thursday night game of the year and enjoy the game. It’s an important game in terms of it’s a home game and we need to win it.
“Last year our home for wasn’t good enough and we need to fix it,” he continued.
“I’m thinking all the time about why and how. It’s up to the players just to make sure they leave nothing in the tank, that they crawl off the field they don’t walk off and they leave everything out on the pitch.
“We lost to them at home last year and beat them twice away last year so it’s a matter of going out on the pitch, believing in yourself and playing to the best of your ability and that’s what I believe will happen.”
Sydney FC take on the Wellington Phoenix on Thursday night at Allianz Stadium (kick of 8pm). Come straight from the office or school and cheer on you Sky Blues. Tickets are still available!
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