Sydney FC defender Shannon Cole has challenged his team-mates to adopt a more ruthless approach as they look to avenge their Round 15 defeat at the hands of Perth Glory.
The Sky Blues sit three points clear at the top of the Hyundai A-League ladder ahead of Sunday’s clash against Perth at ME Bank Stadium.
But while the league leaders enter the match full of confidence, their shock 2-0 defeat back in November is enough to ensure complacency is not a factor this weekend.
“I think we just have to be a bit more lethal,” Cole told Sportal on Thursday.
“Punish teams when we’ve got them in a position to do so. We’ve got the players who can do it to any team.”
“Obviously it’s going to be a tough game. They’ve just come off the back of a massive win so it’ll be tough for us and they’ll be very confident but we’ve got to do what we’ve been doing and be disciplined and tactically do the right things.”
Meanwhile, Cole labelled the signing of former Qantas Socceroos’ defender and English Premier League defender Hayden Foxe on a short-term contract a major coup for the club.
Foxe, who played for the Glory between 2007 and 2009, will be available for the remaining six regular-season matches after signing a six-week deal and is expected to be rushed straight into the starting side on Sunday.
The 32-year-old’s arrival follows injuries to Sebastian Ryall (knee – six weeks) and Matthew Jurman (foot – season), while defender Simon Colosimo is also unavailable for the Perth clash as he serves a one-match suspension.
“It’s very good news,” Cole said of Foxe’s arrival.
“Obviously he’s a player with a lot of experience so it’s a massive bonus for us.”
Asked if he followed the early stages of Foxe’s career, Cole recalled: “I remember when he was at West Ham, I remember going over and actually watching a game and yelling out something to him about Australia and he looked into the crowd and I was a pretty excited young fella then.”
Cole confirmed there is an air of excitement within the squad as a result of their recent success and admits the week AFC Asian Cup match day break came at a good time for the club with a number of players nursing minor injuries.
“The boys are pretty positive, I mean we’ve got a lot to be positive about and a lot to look forward to, so everyone’s in pretty good spirits,” he said.
“Obviously it’s disappointing for a few of the guys and as a team for guys to get injured but we’re very positive and very confident.”
Asked to assess his own form throughout his second A-League campaign, the unassuming 25-year-old said: “I think I’ve been a lot more stable and consistent. Last year I guess I was in the headlines a bit just because of the situation coming from State League. If I was to look at my performances last year compared to this year I think I’d be much happier with this year’s performances.”
“And that comes with the team being far more organised as well and having a lot of good players around you makes it easy to learn and to play good football.”
