Sydney FC coach John Kosmina said his players may still be suffering mentally after last week’s capitulation against Central Coast.
The Sky Blues coughed up a three goal lead to draw 3-3 last week and Kosmina said after Friday night’s 2-1 loss to Phoenix that some of his players were still suffering.
“There’s been a lot of talk about our capitulation last week and maybe that’s affected the players emotionally,” he said.
“Maybe we’re suffering a little bit emotionally from last week. Because everyone’s talked about it and it’s still a young side in a lot of areas.”
“Anthony Golec hasn’t got over last week. He takes everything to heart. He’s got a great future but he takes a lot to heart.”
“So we’ve got to mature quickly and get on with the job.”
Kosmina said he felt that for a second week, Steve Corica carried the burden of hard running in midfield.
“I’m disappointed with Shannon Cole and I thought Bridgey [Mark Bridge] and Brosquey [Alex Brosque] didn’t work hard enough in the first half.”
“Bimbi [Steve Corica] did a lot of work for a 35-year-old. You’ve got two or three blokes in their mid-20s who can’t work hard enough as a bloke then years older. That’s why he plays every week.”
Kosmina also described Sydney’s performance as its ‘worst ever’ this season.
“The Kiwis overloaded us in midfield and we struggled to find our feet and we couldn’t keep the ball. Credit to them.”
“They came here for a fight. They were up for it. They were good.”
“Having said that Ivan [Necevski] didn’t have to make any saves, except that deflection in the second half.”
Kosmina revealed the skipper Tony Popovic was not 100 percent fit for the game.
“And he’d be the first to admit,” he said.
“Poppa said he was fit and Fyfey’s [defender Iain Fyfe] not a left footer and Fyfey’s not played for two weeks so it’s a choice of trying to keep some balance.”
“How many changes do you want to make across your backline?”
