Sydney FC; Big Game Strugglers?
Sydney has impressed this season, they’ve probably been the most consistent team, but it seems that whenever they go on a run of form, it’s only for three games or so. Whilst one might fairly argue that no other team has been different or better, Sydney’s run usually ends with a fairly ‘big’ game.
When I say ‘big’ I don’t necessarily mean playing one of the so-called ‘bigger’ teams like a Melbourne for example’s sake. More so I imply the games in which Sydney had the chance to establish themselves as the title favourites, or close to it.
We’ve just seen them lose to Gold Coast, at home – something that hasn’t happened much this season. This game was a chance for Sydney to really consolidate their position on top of the A-League ladder, but the Sky Blues flopped, again. This is the third time this season United have beaten Sydney, it’s starting to become a hoodoo for Viteslav and his men.
Other big games like the loss at Perth and at Adelaide when Barbeiro was given his orders very early and Sydney still couldn’t manage to see the Reds off resemble how Sydney has struggled when they had the chance to push on.
The result on Sunday afternoon sees Sydney drop down to second, sandwiched one point either side from Gold Coast (1st) and champions, Melbourne (3rd), respectively. However, the Victory has a game in hand, and after their crushing of Perth, a draw will take them above Sydney.
So after one bad result Sydney could potentially drop down to third. Yes, they were missing the influential Brosque, but no excuses can be offered. With the minor premiers qualifying for the Asian Champions League and second spot having a relatively good chance to qualify as well, Sydney might be doing a bit of nail-biting.
Sydney has a demanding following, and most would expect that when Viteslav, the board and the team set goals for the season, qualifying for the Champions League would have been one of them. They deserve to be at least in the top two this season one might say, but really they have to start performing in the most crucial of games. With four regular season games remaining Sydney will be looking to muscle their way back into that top two.
They’ve got Newcastle, Brisbane, Perth and Melbourne in the run in, so by no means will that be an easy task. In fact, they lost to Newcastle and drew to both Perth and Melbourne the last time they played, so season history isn’t exactly with them. However, Perth and Melbourne are both at home so they’ll look to take advantage.
The final round fixture against Melbourne is looming as a clash of extreme proportions with both teams so close on the ladder. So if Sydney can overcome their big game jitters and get some form against the Jets, Brisbane and Perth it would set up a surely mouth-watering ‘Big Blue’ derby. It might only be a matter of time before they’re back upon the summit of the A-League.
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