Sydney FC Captain Alex Brosque has drawn comparisons between this season and the Sky Blues record breaking 2014/15 season as he prepares for Saturday’s Boxing Day clash against the Central Coast Mariners at Allianz Stadium (kick off 7:30pm).
Brosque said he’s hopeful of being fit for the match as he said a similar start last season paved the way for club and league records to tumble in a year that saw the Sky Blues cruise to the Grand Final.
“I think the same [start] happened last year,” Brosque said.
“Last year we were having a lot of scoring problems, Marc Janko was under the spotlight for not scoring enough goals, but once it all clicked we didn’t look back.
“We ended up with a record number of goals last season. We can turn it around, there’s enough quality there and when it does click for us, same as last year, we won’t look back.
“This was probably a similar point in last year where we got our season underway,” he continued.
“It was a 5-1 win against the Mariners that really kick started our season so I think we’ll look at that.
“Not with any disrespect to the Mariners, they’ve got a good young team and a lot to improve, but the fact we’re at home against a team that probably hasn’t been performing that well this season, we need to take advantage of that.
“We need to put in a strong performance, make a statement of our own. Hopefully if I am fit, which I plan to be on the weekend, and I can help.”
After scoring in back to back games marquee Filip Holosko appears to have found his rhythm and Brosque believes the Slovakian’s confidence has been restored after his series of chances against the Newcastle Jets three weeks ago.
“I think the one [goal] last week, even though it wasn’t in a winning game, definitely helped Filip,” Brosque said.
“It showed this week, he had a good game again and his finish was excellent. Even just seeing him today, while we didn’t get the win, he seems a lot more confident and that’s what goals do.
“He’s scored in back to back games now and when he starts scoring a few more it’ll do good things for his confidence and the players around him.
“This definitely is a must win for us,” he continued.
“In the last two games it’s been a penalty in the last minute that’s denied us victory. If you get those wins confidence builds and you start putting in those performances you expect from a confident team.”
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.
