Joe Lolley is targeting six wins out of six for the final games of the season – and believes his side are capable of continuing to surge up the table.
This weekend they take on the high-flying Central Coast Mariners at Allianz Stadium and three points in that match could catapult them into their final run in of games – that includes a trip to Perth on Wednesday.
The Mariners will provide a stern test sitting three points behind Wellington Phoenix at the top of the table and on an incredible run of form which has only seen them lose once in 23 matches. That loss came against Sydney FC in February.
“I think we can get into the top two,” Lolley said.
“If we want to do that we are going to have to win every game until the end of the season but I think we are capable of doing that.
“We don’t have control of what happens with other teams so all we can do is focus on ourselves and I believe we have the quality, so that’ll be our target.”
The next week for the Sky Blues will have a big impact on their final position on the table as they play their catch up against Perth Glory on Wednesday night in Perth. They return on Thursday before a trip up the M1 on Sunday to take on the Newcastle Jets.
Nine points from this next three games will put them right in the mix come the final rounds.
“As players we relish the more games we play and we just want to get out there and play.
“This [week] sorta reminds me a bit of my time in England, especially in the Championship where you can be somewhere and then within a week your season has been transformed and if we have a great week it will,” he added.
“If we can the table will start to look a little more positive in terms of where we want to be and as players we will enjoy this week, and hopefully in ten days time we have a smile on our faces.”
This season, Joe Lolley leads the team in goals and assists with 14 and he has recently resigned with the club for two more seasons.
The Englishman is settled in Australia and enjoys coming to training every day and living in the harbour city.
It’s no surprise that with that stability he is putting in one of his best individual seasons in his career. But for Lolley, the individual plaudits will be worth nothing if there is no trophy at the end of the season for the Sky Blues
“The last four or five weeks I haven’t quite got the goals and assists to go with everything which has been frustrating.
“Personally I feel like I have contributed a lot and worked hard and for sure it is one of my better individual seasons.
“But that means nothing if we don’t go on and win something as a team and keep that form up right into the end of the season,” Lolley said.
Catch one of the league’s best in action this weekend at Allianz Stadium.
Match Details
Sydney FC v Central Coast Mariners
Isuzu UTE A-League Round 22
Saturday 30th March 2024
Alllianz Stadium, Sydney, NSW
Kick Off: 7:45pm AEDT
Gates Open: 6:45pm AEDT
Broadcast Live: Paramount+ & 10Bold
Tickets: Click Here
Matchday Partner: Sydney FC Foundation
