Melbourne City coach John van’t Schip has blasted his players for having a poor mindset in Sunday’s 3-1 loss to Perth Glory at nib Stadium.
City dominated the early part of the match, but could not convert any of the multiple chances it created as Glory goalkeeper Danny Vukovic single-handedly kept his side in the contest.
MATCH REPORT: Perth Glory v Melbourne City
The match had no impact on City’s final ladder position on the Hyundai A-League table heading into the final round, but a clearly frustrated van’t Schip said that was no excuse for a team about to play finals football.
“If the mindset is not good, even if you get 11 or 12 opportunities, the goal is not going to go in,” van’t Schip said.
“We have to change our mindset because this was not playoffs worthy if you approach a game like this. That’s something we will talk about with the players.
“In football and in life, if you don’t get the details right things are not going to happen and that was the case today. We didn’t want it bad enough.”
City’s cause was not helped by the bizarre brain implosion from midfielder Paulo Retre, who collected two yellow cards in the space of a minute on the cusp of half-time.
Down to 10 men for the second half, City appeared to wilt in the Perth heat as Glory striker Jamie Maclaren netted a maiden A-League hat-trick to lead his side to victory.
Van’t Schip accused his side of looking “too casual”, particularly after half-time.
“With 10 you know you have to work harder and that looked OK for a short period, but towards the end the pitch was getting stretched, the team was struggling and Perth punished our mistakes,” van’t Schip said.
“They would have got tired with 11 as well. It could have been a lot easier if we had put away a few chances (in the first half).
“I think we had enough highlights, especially in the first half, but it’s also making sure you have a finished product and defensively we have to make sure we’re compact.”
City will regain suspended pair Kew Jaliens and Jacob Melling for Saturday’s trip to Coopers Stadium to take on Adelaide United.
Van’t Schip said changes to his line-up were likely in the wake of Sunday’s loss to Glory, including the return of two injured players.
