Sydney FC’s Socceroos defender Ryan McGowan has warned against complacency this Saturday night, when the Sky Blues face a Melbourne Victory team in the middle of their worst ever start to an A-League season (kick off 7pm).
Sydney FC’s Socceroos defender Ryan McGowan has warned against complacency this Saturday night, when the Sky Blues face a Melbourne Victory team in the middle of their worst ever start to an A-League season (kick off 7pm).
The Melburnians have had a disastrous beginning to their campaign with just seven points from 11 games and currently sit bottom of the ladder having conceded 13 goals in their last three – all of which were big losses.
BIG BLUE TICKETS: Don’t Even Think About Missing It!!
But McGowan says Sydney FC will still need to be on their toes.
“We need to be wary of a wounded animal, which is what Melbourne are right now,” said the 32-year old.
“They will be hurting and when teams are hurting badly they will always react, particularly when it’s their biggest game of the season against their fiercest rival.
“Our games against Melbourne are always intense and there have been some incredible Big Blues over the years; and I think this one will be no different.”
McGowan and his Sky Blues colleagues are coming off a two game winning streak and are beginning to gain some momentum.
“It’s important that we stay focused, particularly early on and put our stamp on the game,” he added.
“We know they will be wanting to make a statement against us, so it’s up to us to get a stranglehold on the game from the start.
“If we can get a goal or two early on, the game will open up and should start to dominate and put the game to bed.”
McGowan’s defensive partner and fellow Socceroo Alex Wilkinson notched his first A-League goal for the Sky Blues in last weekend’s win over Newcastle Jets. It took the pairing level in the goalscoring charts for Sydney FC.
And the former Hearts stopper says he is keen to get back in the ascendancy.
“I must admit he got a bit lucky but it’s about time, he’s taken a while to catch up,” McGowan joked.
“I was delighted for Wilko and the club to pull that one back and I’d be more than happy to help out the team with a goal myself this Saturday night.”
Sydney FC’s Westfield W-League squad will look to add their domestic trophy cabinet with their third Premiers Plate earlier on Saturday night (kick off 4.30pm).
A win over Melbourne Victory’s W-League side will hand the Sky Blues a record equalling third W-League Premiership with a game to play.
You can watch both matches live on Fox Sports, Kayo Sports and the My Football Live app.
