Sky Blues chase history
Players aim to go through without loss
FOOTBALL: Alex Wilkinson has revealed that Sydney FC’s players are using the 2003-04 Arsenal side as inspiration as they attempt to remain unbeaten this season in the A-League.
That Arsenal side, which featured French World Cup winners Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and Robert Pires, went undefeated that season to win the English Premier League.
After Sydney’s fightback with 10 men to earn a 1-1 draw against Melbourne City last week, Wilkinson said there was belief in the squad that this team could do something similar to the Gunners.
“If you can get the boys believing every week that we’ll win and not lose, then winning can become a habit,” he told a-league.com.au.
“So, even if you go down a goal or things aren’t going your way, if you have that belief and self-confidence then you’re always in the game and always a chance to get it back.
“Especially the other night against City, the boys showed fantastic character with 10 men and still managed to get a goal back and nearly nicked it at the end.”
No team has gone through the 27-game A-League season unbeaten, but Sydney FC still has a chance after going 10 rounds without a loss.
That pursuit of excellence is driving the team forward, Wilkinson believes.
“We always talk about the difference between having a good team and a great team,” he said.
“At the moment we’re a good team, but if we can reach that next level we can be great and, I guess, remembered forever. But it’s a difficult thing to do.”
Sydney FC faces another big test of its credentials this Saturday night at Perth’s nib Stadium.
Perth Glory is desperate to prove a point after a shocking 2-1 home loss to the Newcastle Jets last week, and some poor form that has knocked its title aspirations.
The Glory does have Andy Keogh, though.
Wilkinson knows the Irish striker – who is sitting joint second with Bruno Fornaroli in the A-League golden boot race, with seven goals – will prove a handful.
“He’s a different type of player to Fornaroli (a teammate of Wilkinson at City last season),” Wilkinson said.
“Keogh makes great runs off the shoulder and he’s one you need eyes in the back of your head to track. He’s really good at that.
“While you’re watching the play he can just drift out and make that run off your shoulder. It’s difficult when the ball is here and you have to watch him there.
“And his finishing, it’s deadly. We saw that goal against Victory (in round nine at AAMI Park).
“They pretty much had only one maybe two chances and he knocked it in with a great finish.
“He’s on seven goals already and a difficult guy to mark.”