Sydney FC Head Coach Graham Arnold has praised the standards within the club for contributing to the Sky Blues’ phenomenal form of late.
Arnold revealed a team identity was discussed ahead of the 2018 season, saying the players we challenged to create their own headlines through their performances on the pitch, with the standards paying off thus far.
“At the start of the season we gave a team identity,” Arnold said.
“[It was about] what the players want to read when they talk about Sydney FC, what do they want the headline to be.
“We created those standards and if they drop anything then they’re disappointed in themselves so when you have those types of standards and the players are driving them then we expect to win.
“The more belief you get in people and the more belief you get in what you’re doing and you can actually predict things,” he continued,
“You’ve got that much belief in what you’re doing that when you see the boys go out on the pitch, especially the attacking side of our game and execution with the players we have in being able to create something out of nothing, then you have a huge belief in what the squad can do.
“Against Adelaide it’ll be no different, we’ve prepared great for this game.”
The Sky Blues’ boss heaped praised on his foreign attacking trio, while vowing that Polish winger Adrian Mierzejewski will only get better as the season carries on, starting with exposing the weaknesses identified in the Adelaide side for Sunday’s match.
“What I liked about the first goal last week was the combination and quality of the three attacking foreigners that we have,” Arnold said.
“Mierzejewski gave the ball to Ninkovic, he had two touches and crossed it to Bobô and Bobô scored. They’re three great foreigners, great people and they give us a lot.
“Adrian has had a great impact for now,” Arnold continued.
“Adrian has a lot of improvement left when you see what he does on the training pitch. It takes time, especially in the attacking side of it, to get to know players. When the connection and combinations happen he’ll get greater and greater.
“We analyse every team for their strengths and weaknesses and we look expose their weaknesses. We’ve seen a few things with Adelaide that we’re looking to expose, and I expect a great performance on Sunday and we expect to win.”
Sydney FC travel to face Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium on Sunday night (kick off 7pm AEDT). Catch the match live on Fox Sports, watch the clash with likeminded Sky Blues’ fans at our Official Home Away from Home at The Star Sydney, or follow us on Twitter @SydneyFC for updates.
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