While there hasn’t been a lot to get excited about around the Sydney FC squad this season, midfielder Rhyan Grant believes the emergence of a host of young stars ensures the future is looking bright for the club.
While there hasn’t been a lot to get excited about around the Sydney FC squad this season, midfielder Rhyan Grant believes the emergence of a host of young stars ensures the future is looking bright for the club.
The Sky Blues have endured a difficult defence of their championship winning effort last season, struggling back in tenth place two thirds of the way through the season.
Vitezslav Lavicka’s side have managed just four wins in 20 games, their performances have been well below par and crowd numbers at the SFS have dropped alarmingly.
It’s been a difficult time for all involved with the club but the emerging Grant can see some hope on the horizon.
The hard-working midfielder said the quality of youngsters at the club – including Terry Antonis, Dmitri Petratos, Brendan Gan, Kofi Danning and Matt Jurman – means they can look forward with confidence.
“We’ve got some good young boys who have come in and done well and made an impact,” Grant said.
“To see so many of the young guys around is good for the team and good for them. They’ve fitted in really well and been making an impression in games.”
“It’s all about getting in there and showing what they’ve got and staying positive.”
“The good thing about the guys we’ve got is they are attacking type players and been doing a good job.”
“Things have been tough for us but that side is a real positive.”
“We need them to be coming through for the future. The A-League is going to be around for a long time and you need to have good quality young players.”
Grant of course is one of those exciting young players the club currently have on their roster.
The 19-year-old has been in and out of Lavicka’s side this season with a mixture of injury and international duty hampering his cause. He started the season on the outer before getting his chance due to the club’s woeful start to the season.
Grant’s time in the first team was cut short though as he was selected in the Qantas Young Socceroos squad that earned qualification for next year’s Under-20 World Cup by making the final of the Asian Championships.
It wasn’t long before he worked his way back into the starting side on his return and it coincided with the club’s surge up the Hyundai A-League ladder. But a hamstring injury again curtailed his time on the paddock adding another chapter to his rollercoaster year.
“It’s been really frustrating but it’s all part of football I suppose,” a philosophical Grant said.
“We’ve got the weekend off this week so fingers crossed I should be right to go by next weekend.”
“It’s been really tough, especially with the boys not doing as well as we would like. We’re still not playing our best but i think we’re not too far off.”
“I just want to get back out there and try and make a difference.”
Despite a third straight defeat at the hands of the North Queensland Fury on Wednesday night, Grant said the Sky Blues still hadn’t given up hope of featuring in the finals. But they are well aware things must turn around soon.
“We had a good period where we got some good results but the last few games haven-t been good enough,” Grant admitted.
“The loss against Central Coast was disappointing and then the one against Brisbane as well even though they are the top side and we did quite well in the second half but we didn’t get anything out of those games.”
“We can’t afford to drop anymore points. We just need to improve our form all over.”
“We’ve got a good team on paper it’s just about being consistent over the whole game rather than just in small patches of games.”
“If we can do that then I’m sure the results will come.”
Asked how the side was holding together despite talk of doom and gloom around the club and some negative headlines in the press, Grant said: “You just have to laugh it off.”
“We know when the results aren’t there people will write things about us but it doesn-t put any more pressure on.”
“Once we start playing well and get the good results they’ll write some good stuff about us.”
