Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold’s comments about the Sky Blues’ defence were hit for six by Wanderers star Mitch Nichols as the Sydney Derby banter ramped up on Friday.
On Thursday, Arnold fired up Wanderers fans with claims his team’s “brick wall” defence would ensure that his keeper Danny Vukovic would have a quiet night in the derby.Â
Arnold said: “Our defence starts from the front, we’ve got a brick wall, we’ve conceded seven goals in 14 games and again our defence starts from the front, we’ve had many games where Danny Vukovic hasn’t had to make a save.Â
“And the same will happen on Saturday night.”
Hyundai A-League preview: Sydney FC v Wanderers
It wouldn’t be the Sydney Derby without some Arnold banter.Â
And Nichols was happy to respond on Friday with a few stats of his own.Â
“I think Vuka [Danny Vukovic] was man of the match in the derby [in Round 1], if I remember rightly,” the attacking midfielder pointed out.Â
“So it’s about us creating and taking the chances when we get the chance.Â
“So I’m pretty sure he [Vukovic] is going to need his gloves tomorrow night,” Nichols added with a smile.
And the former Roar star promised that if Sydney FC was play one of their younger starlets in central defence – after the loss of both Matt Jurman (transferred) and Seb Ryall (injured) has left them
short of a defensive partner to Alex Wilkinson – Wanderers will test out the debutant.Â
“If it’s a youth player I’m sure Arnie will have them ready but it’s a good opportunity for us to probably try get at them early and test them out,” Nichols said.Â
“The boys are pumped and we’re ready to turn it [their losing derby record] around.”Â
It all adds to the hype ahead of another sold-out derby with all tickets sold by Friday afternoon with almost 2000 fans coming in from interstate for the clash.
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