Sydney FC Head Coach Graham Arnold has hit back at critics who have said the Sky Blues haven’t been performing at their best so far this season as he prepares to welcome the Central Coast Mariners to Allianz Stadium on Boxing Day (kick off 7:30pm).
Arnold praised the tactics he’s used this season, in light of them being labelled as “predictable” be Mariners Coach Tony Walmsley, as he said he fears for the team that faces the Sky Blues when the chances that are being created start being put away.
“I think we’re getting unjustifiably criticised at times, I think we’re playing very well,” Arnold said.
“We’re not getting the goals at the moment but we’re playing good football and creating the chances.
“Let’s hope that one day soon someone will cop a real punishing because we’ve hit the post many times, missed a lot of chances, it comes down to the individual putting the ball in the back of the net.
“It’s nice if they’re predictable tactics,” he continued.
“It’s good because they’ve won a Championship and made three Grand Finals in four years so that’s not too bad.”
While Arnold said he has no ties left in Gosford he did welcome one familiar face back to training today as he accommodated Randers FC midfielder Mustafa Amini, as the Olyroo looks to keep up his fitness ahead of the Olympic qualifiers next month.
“I’ve got fond memories of the fans and for what we did when I was up there but I don’t really have any connections up there anymore,” he said.
“It’s a totally different Chairman and Board, coaching staff, players, there’s only a couple of players I coached up there, so it’s been a quick turnover in a short time.
“We’re doing the Olyroos a favour by training Musti and keeping him fit for the Olyroos preparation for their qualifiers next month,” he continued.
“It’s good to see the kid again, it’s been a while, he’s obviously been in Germany and now he’s in Denmark and it looks a lot like he’s improved as a player.”
Sydney FC take on the Central Coast Mariners at Allianz Stadium on Boxing Day (kick off 7:30pm). Continue the festive cheer with an evening of football, tickets are still available.
