With a new chapter in Sky Blues history set to be written on Sunday with our inaugural NPL season kicking off, Sydney FC PlayStation 4 NPL NSW 2 Men’s Head Coach Robert Stanton said he’s looking forward to the challenges that present themselves in the state’s premier competition.
Transitioning from the Foxtel National Youth League to the NPL, Stanton highlighted the differences between the two leagues, as he said he’s excited by the growth potential on offer for his squad.
“I’m looking forward to the season starting, we’ve had that break now from the NYL, we’ve had about 6-7 weeks to re-group and prepare for it,” Stanton said.
“I’m looking forward to some different types of football, more experienced in terms of playing at a senior level, and how we cope with that and the different resistance levels these teams will offer us and make us deal with.
“In the NYL you look tactically a lot and we do the same here for NPL, but there is that element of unpredictability with some of the clubs with some of their styles so we’ve had a look at that,” he continued.
“On any given day anyone can beat anyone in these types of leagues. First of all if you don’t turn up and physically compete in these types of leagues you get in to trouble straight away so we have to do that and hopefully our technical ability will get us through.
“There are elements that we do have to get used to physically, mental strength and playing week in week out senior football and these are areas we haven’t been tested in so it’s going to be a real challenge.
“We’ve got overcome these challenges and grow throughout the season and I’m excited by that for the players.”
Facing Mounties Wanderers FC at Lambert Park, Leichhardt in their first match (kick off 7:45pm), Stanton said he’s expecting a tough opening encounter as he said he’s taking each match as it comes and not looking too far ahead.
“I’ve watched them play and there is some experienced players there,” Stanton said.
“They have the ability to get in behind your last line, but more importantly they’re used to playing in this league and they hold an advantage there.
“They’ve got players that are used to playing in this league so we have to settle quickly and we have to make sure that we play our game and play it well and turn the screws on them.
“I’m sure they’re going to be very enthusiastic to play us like all teams, we’re going to be challenged by players who want to make a name for themselves, they’re going to be a difficult opponent and we’re certainly not expecting an easy game.
“The goals we set ourselves is to try and win every game we play,” he continued.
“The next game is always the goal, I don’t want to look any further ahead so our opponent this weekend, our goal is to win that game. Once we get past that we’ll start preparations for the next week.”
Click here for the full Sydney FC NPL Squad.
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