Sydney FC youngster George Blackwood says the goals are on their way as he thanked Head Coach Graham Arnold for the faith shown in him in his second season at the club.
Blackwood credited Arnold’s knowledge from his career as a striker as helping to improve his game as he set his sights on more minutes on the pitch with the Hyundai A-League 2015/16 season passing the halfway mark.
“It gives you a lot of confidence as a young player [the faith Arnie has shown in me],” Blackwood said.
“Him being a striker back in the day I think gives me even more confidence because he can help me, tell me what I’m doing right and what I’m doing wrong.
“He’s very good with us [young players] and I think Bimbi [Assistant Coach Steve Corica] helps a lot as well.
“He [Arnold] says it’s just little things,” he continued.
“The key things for me I think are practicing my finishing and building up physically but I think the most important thing is just being calm in front of goal and getting the practice in.
“If I can start to be more confident I think things will start to roll and I’ll start to score more goals.”
Having featured 10 times for the Sky Blues this season, building on his three appearances last season, Blackwood believes he’s progressing well as he praised the depth of the Sydney FC squad for continually pushing the players to perform.
“We’ve got a very strong squad at the moment and with Carney coming back into the team he’s added a lot more,” Blackwood said.
“It’s just increasing the depth in the team and it’s even harder to get in the squad now. Everyone is starting to really fly, hopefully I’m training hard and hopefully I can work my way into the team.
“It’s been good, I’ve done ok, I’ve progressed ok, I think I’ve still got a lot to do to cement my spot in the team and the matchday squad but I’m happy with the way things are going,” he continued.
“I just want to play games and help the team and I think if I do play I can start creating more things up front, creating goals and hopefully scoring goals.
“I always knew Arnie would give me some chances and starts and that’s been good this year. I think I’ve done ok in those games but I think there’s always room for improvement.
“Hopefully I can get a few more starts under my belt this year and start pushing the older boys into getting more runs in the team.”
Sydney FC take on Perth Glory in their next home game on Saturday afternoon at Allianz Stadium (kick off 5:15pm). Tickets are still available, purchase yours today and be there to see the Sky Blues stand glorious.
Sydney FC take on Perth Glory in their next home match at Allianz Stadium on Saturday 13 February (kick off 5:15pm). Tickets are still available, get yours now!
