Sydney FC coach Vitezslav Lavicka said he will look at resting marquee man Brett Emerton from certain games to ensure the veteran midfielder’s body holds-up during a gruelling festive period of matches for the club.
Sydney FC coach Vitezslav Lavicka said he will look at resting marquee man Brett Emerton from certain games to ensure the veteran midfielder’s body holds-up during a gruelling festive period of matches for the club.
The Sky Blues take on Adelaide at the SFS on Thursday night in the first game of a horror five-week stretch for the club that includes eight games in just 36 days.
Emerton, who was substituted at half-time of Sunday’s win over Newcastle with hamstring tightness, has been passed fit to take his place against the struggling Reds who come to town on a five-game winless run and with a new coach in John Kosmina.
While the former Blackburn winger is loathe to miss games, particular with the club pushing for a top two spot, Lavicka is wary not to put too much strain on his 32-year-old frame and is willing to take the cautious approach.
“We must be smart because with experienced players like Brett Emerton, we must manage them,” Lavicka said.
“He’s smart enough and he’s already told us if he feels pain. We are smart enough and like I said he’s smart enough as well not to take any risks.
“We have a very busy calendar coming up and we have to manage it well.”
When asked if he would look at resting Emerton from games to ensure not to overwork the veteran midfielder, Lavicka said: “Of course. And we can because we are in a good position where we have most of the players available now and a very competitive squad.
“It’s always a tough decision for me and the coaching staff to select the players (team) because everyone is deserving to play and be selected as part of the squad for each game.”
The Sky Blues have lost midfielder Nicky Carle to injury for the Reds clash with Rhyan Grant, so impressive off the bench against the Jets, likely to come into the starting side ahead of the fit-again Mark Bridge and Terry Antonis.
Grant will take up a position on the left-hand side of midfield, with Emerton shifting to the right and Karol Kisel moving to the top of the midfield diamond in front of skipper Terry McFlynn.
“Hopefully if get a chance tomorrow (Thursday) night I will take it with both hands and give it my all,” Grant said.
“We know it’s going to be a difficult game. Whenever a team gets a new coach they are always up for it and out to impress.”
“It will be tough for us but we just need to concentrate on our game and hopefully come out with the win.”
Meanwhile, Lavicka said he remembers nothing suspicious from a friendly match against Shanghai Shenhua in 2009 that is now under suspicion for match-fixing after the referee of the game confessed in court to taking bribes.
Chinese referee Huang Junjie has admitted to taking almost $250,000 to fix a number of matches, including Sydney’s friendly match with Shanghai when Lavicka first took over the Sky Blues post.
“I remember that game…but there’s no point to give it any credit, it’s a very strange situation,” he said.
“I don’t remember anything out of ordinary…that’s in the past now.”
