Sydney FC Steve Corica said he didn’t feel awkward after being forced to field questions about his side’s winless start to the A-League Men’s season while sitting next to the man who had just defeated him.
For the first time in the competition’s history, Corica and Central Coast coach Nick Montgomery sat side by side to answer questions from the media inside a marquee at Gosford Stadium.
Corica’s Sydney outfit had just copped a 2-0 defeat from the Mariners courtesy of a first-half strike from Marco Urena and an Anthony Caceres own goal within two minutes of each other on Sunday.
“It’s the first time we’ve done this before,” Corica said.
“It’s part of the new normal now.”
The gimmick was cooked up by the APL and if they wanted sparks to fly they could not have picked two coaches less inclined to go off the rails.
If he had wanted to, Corica would have been within his rights to because his side is desperately short of creativity and have scored just once from open play this season.
Corica, who went straight down the tunnel at fulltime, said he needed time to compose himself before addressing Sydney’s players and set about fixing their shoddy attack.
Bobo returned for the Sky Blues but was taken off as part of a three-man half-time substitution and his strike partner Adam Le Fondre, was hooked with half an hour left to play.
“We’ve got quality players in the final third, but it’s about getting them on the park and having a bit of composure in front of goal,” he said.
“We’ve got Bobo coming back and he got his first hit-out and we knew it would take him time.
“Adam is a quality goalscorer. There are plenty of others in the squad who can score goals. It’s about taking our chances when they come.”
The result leaves Corica’s side in 11th spot – their worst start in a decade – and the coach warned of changes.
“They have got to perform a lot better than that or otherwise these boys won’t be starting,” he said.
“If we can find the right players (in the transfer market) we will bring them in. (Luke) Brattan is out for the season and he is one of our best players and creates a lot for us.
“We need to look for someone to replace him. We need to change something. It’s a long way to go but the results need to start coming and the performances as well.”
