Sydney FC coach Steve Corica is backing his ageing stars to make their critics look foolish.
Last Sunday’s 2-0 loss to Central Coast has left Corica’s men languishing in 11th spot on the A-League Men ladder after four games, the club’s worst start to a campaign in a decade.
The underwhelming start has had some questioning whether veteran stars such as Serbian schemer Milos Ninkovic, captain Alex Wilkinson and forward pair Bobo and Adam Le Fondre are past their best.
Corica isn’t buying that argument though, insisting there’s still plenty more to come from the core of his multiple championship-winning squad.
“They’re quality players, they don’t lose their quality over four games,” Corica said.
“You’ve got to give them a little bit more time than that to get judged I think but that’s what the media do.
“They put pressure on these players and it’s really unjustified.”
Corica indicated there was some chance of Rhyan Grant coming straight back into the lineup for Sunday’s match against Wellington Phoenix at Jubilee Stadium after the Socceroos defender missed the Mariners loss having tested positive to COVID.
Corica said absences and setbacks such as Grant’s and Luke Brattan’s season-ending ACL injury had all played their part in his team’s poor start.
“Brattan’s out for the season. Kosta Barbarouses, who’s played the majority of the games for us since he’s been here, obviously plays a big part in what we try and do. Bobo’s been injured. Donachie’s been injured,” Corica said.
“It’s probably set us back a little bit.
“Connor O’Toole. Ninko as well, at times he’s had a few problems.
“Until everyone’s back fit we’ll just get by.”
The Phoenix enjoyed a big midweek FFA Cup win over NPL Victoria outfit Avondale and coach Ufuk Talay will be eager to use the confidence gained from that fixture as his team tries to claim a first win in eight matches against good friend Corica.
“Obviously me and Uffy have got a good relationship. He was here. We played together at Marconi,” Corica said.
“We’ve always been good friends.
“He’s doing really well, doing his coaching thing at Wellington there and obviously it’s good to come up against him again this weekend.”
