Sydney A-League clubs both full of belief
Oct 20, 2017 - 5:09 AM Western Sydney Wanderers caretaker coach Hayden Foxe says there's a real belief at his club they can be an A-League force, as they prepare for the ultimate test against crosstown rivals that already possess unshakeable belief.The Wanderers play Sydney FC on Saturday for the first time since last February, when they were the only team to beat the Sky Blues in their 2016-17 title-winning campaign.
"They were a good side last year, they deservedly won the championship, there's no doubt about that," Foxe said on Friday.
"But we've got a fantastic squad of players, a real belief and a real resilience that we're going to be a real force this year, challenging every single week."
Already boasting maximum points from their first two games, Sydney go into the Allianz Stadium clash full of confidence, despite coach Graham Arnold's assertion they are only functioning at 30 to 35 per cent.
"If we play our football, we know that nobody can beat us," Sydney midfield ace Milos Ninkovic told AAP.
"We just need to play our football to keep the ball and to create chances like we did last year and the game (last week) against Wellington."
The Wanderers have picked up four points from their first two games, scoring twice in each.
While Sydney are the competition's benchmark side, Foxe insists Saturday's game alone won't show where his team stands.
"Just to go on one performance, or the result of one game would be very untruthful of what we're here to try and do at this football club," Foxe said.
A win over the league champions could only help his prospects of getting the job on a permanent basis.
"It doesn't matter about my resume, it's about this football club, about this group of players and about us going out to win a football game," Foxe said.
Both clubs have an injury issue, with Sydney sweating on the fitness of Polish international winger Adrian Mierzejewski and the Wanderers on central defender Michael Thwaite.
STATS THAT MATTER
*Western Sydney Wanderers will be looking for back-to-back Sydney derby wins for just the second time in history, and the first time since 2013-14.
* Four of Sydney's last eight goals versus the Wanderers have come in the 85th minute or later.
*The Wanderers have conceded just 25 fouls this campaign, fewer than any other team in the competition and two fewer than Sydney FC.
Stats suppled by Opta.
Source: AAP
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