Sydney FC boss Graham Arnold dismissed suggestions an ageing starting XI played any part in the 2-1 loss to a 10-man Newcastle Jets on Saturday.
The Sky Blues fielded their oldest team in Hyundai A-League history at McDonald Jones Stadium as David Carney came in for the rested Michael Zullo.
Despite having Roy O’Donovan sent off in the 14th minute, Newcastle scored twice either side of a Bobo header to leave the visitors with a second defeat of the season.
With an average age of 31.2 years @SydneyFC is starting with its oldest XI ever, and the 7th oldest of any team in Aus national league history (that's almost 15000 starting teams).
Also of note, all SYD starters played in Round 1, very rare for >20 rounds into the season #NEWvSYD— andrew howe (@AndyHowe_statto) March 3, 2018
“We’ve been using that team the whole year. The only one missing was Zullo,” Arnold said after the match.
“It’s two losses in 22. If you want to add FFA Cup as well it’s two losses in 32.
“I don’t think that’s the issue.”
Arnold did, however, feel O’Donovan’s dismissal was to the champions’ detriment.
“I think that was the worst thing that happened to us, Roy being sent off and them going down to 10 men,” he said.
“Then it becomes a bit of an attitude problem.
“Obviously we didn’t stop trying. The effort level was there, it was just the crispness and the execution that let us down.
“Obviously losing to 10 men isn’t great but it’s about what you learn and I expect a great reaction.”
