Adelaide United coach Rini Coolen said his plans for Sydney FC star recruit Brett Emerton will be the same as for any other player as the Reds prepare for the Sky Blues at Hindmarsh Stadium on Saturday evening.
Adelaide United coach Rini Coolen said his plans for Sydney FC star recruit Brett Emerton will be the same as for any other player as the Reds prepare for the Sky Blues at Hindmarsh Stadium on Saturday evening.
Former Blackburn Rovers midfielder Emerton has struggled a little to set the competition alight over his first two games, while his team have struggled to score goals against Victory and Brisbane.
Some feel Emerton’s poor start can be attributed to being played out of position, with the 32-year-old spending time in a non-preferred left-wing role.
Sydney coach Vitezslav Lavicka, though, said the Qantas Socceroo was willing to play wherever he was needed to help the team and would not shift the marquee player ahead of the rivalry round clash with Adelaide.
Despite Emerton’s early struggles, Coolen said the ex-Feyenoord man could very easily produce a game-changing display at any moment.
“You expect something special from players like Brett,” Coolen said.
“One of the things he always does is work hard for his team, and that is the type of player who can make a difference.”
Coolen said it was important though, that his side did not pay Emerton extra attention, but rather focus on Sydney’s threat as a team, as Adelaide looks to record their second victory of the season.
“He (Emerton) is a very important player on the pitch but he is just one of the starting eleven,” Coolen said.
“We spoke about the individual quality of a player and how to eliminate all those qualities … but it doesn-t matter where Brett is playing to us.”
“We have to focus more on the shape and formation of Sydney … that’s more important.”
“They’ve got a very good squad and a very good coach who knows exactly what he’s doing, and they are looking for a victory.”
“I know how it feels if you don’t start the competition the way you want.”
Both sides will head into Saturday’s clash with injury concerns.
Sydney FC will be without first choice keeper Liam Reddy, after he failed to recover from a quad injury sustained in last week’s loss to Brisbane, paving the way for Ivan Necevski to make his first appearance in goal for the season, along with midfielder Hirofumi Moriyasu.
The Reds will miss Bruce Djite after the 24-year-old injured his groin during his brief appearance off the bench against Melbourne Victory last week, while Evgeniy Levchenko is in strong doubt.
Coolen said the Ukrainian midfielder was unlikely to play on Saturday due to a calf complaint, but would be given every chance to prove his fitness
United will welcome back Daniel Mullen from a hamstring strain and Cameron Watson who is promoted to the bench.
