Guardian writers’ predicted position: 2nd
Last season’s position: 5th
Sydney is a big, bold and ambitious city. Sydney FC try to be a big, bold and ambitious club. But it doesn’t always succeed. For a football club that bills itself as the biggest in the country, the Sky Blues haven’t challenged at the top of the table since they won the premiership, championship double in the 2009-10 season. But that trend could change this time around.
With a new coach, a new international marquee and plenty of new attacking options, Season 10 of the A-League is shaping up as one where Sydney FC will once again be genuine title contenders. If there is one thing new manager Graham Arnold has done since taking on one of the most high-pressured jobs in Australian football, it is to introduce competition for places throughout the squad – particularly in the forward positions.
Arnold has assembled a balanced squad. Gone are the days when Mitchell Malia, Joel Chianese and Kruno Lovrek supported Alessandro Del Piero up front. Now Sydney FC have a variety of attacking threats that also allow the side to be tactically flexible.
In new signings Marc Janko, the captain of Austria, Shane Smeltz, Bernie Ibini and the returning Alex Brosque, Arnold has genuine variety and flexibility up front. Smeltz and Janko can play as lone strikers or as part of a duo, Ibini can play centrally, on the right or behind the striker and Brosque can operate as a No 10, a left winger or a striker. Add in the speedy Corey Gameiro, who has scored 12 times during pre-season and can operate through the middle or out wide, and Sydney FC have more than enough attacking options.
Arnold has predominately used a 4-4-2 diamond in pre-season to get the best out of his attackers. The narrow formation suits the Arnold style of play, with the extra bodies in midfield allowing for a good amount of possession while also leaving the wide areas free for the full-backs to bomb forward to receive switches of play. Arnold has also experimented with a flat 4-4-2 during pre-season, with the wide players cutting in to support the front men.
Importantly under Arnold, Sydney FC have also been able to develop as a group. Gone is the spotlight that shone on Del Piero, as well as his own personal dressing room, and the early stages of pre-season training saw lots of team bonding exercises ranging from soccer tennis to paintball. Arnold is quick to emphasise the importance of his side having a strong group mentality. He is also big on having a consistent style of play – and that’s something Sydney FC have struggled to achieve in recent years.
Seasons would start with the declaration of an attacking brand of football, but as the realities of unbalanced squads or unsuited players set in, changes would occur. This was one of the difficulties Sydney FC faced last season. Former coach Frank Farina had to look for a system and style of play that would maximise the immense talents of Del Piero. But it also had to be one that would make up for his lack of defensive output – which opponents frequently targeted. After starting last pre-season as a false nine in a 4-3-3, Del Piero was soon being tried out as a No 10 in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2 diamond. He was even moved out to the left wing in a 4-3-3 in an attempt to find the correct formula. Each new structure would address the former problems, but opponents would eventually pick out flaws leading to another change. It is difficult for any coach or team to operate at full capacity when they cannot find consistency.
If Sydney are to remain injury free they will have two players for every position, although the left back area needs strengthening. The options up front will be formidable for opposition defences and there will be plenty of attacking options to come off the bench if a change is required. The midfield, while less spectacular, contains solid depth. Terry Antonis and Milos Dimitrijevic have both had a pre-season under their belts, Peter Triantis is once again fit after struggling last campaign with osteitis pubis and Ali Abbas’s good form has earned him a chance to return to Iraq’s national team set up. Nick Carle will also be given an opportunity to impress in his preferred No10 role in what could be his last season at the club.
The players have responded well to the changes on and off the field. In a pre-season where they have faced English Premier League opponents, five A-League opponents and two competitive FFA Cup ties, Sydney FC have lost just once – a 4-0 defeat to Newcastle United.
With a strong squad and the best collection of attacking options in the league, Sydney FC will be expected to challenge for honours. Finals football is a must but if they can continue to improve, develop and, as has been come to be expected with a Graham Arnold side, are difficult to beat, a push for the higher places is likely.
