Sydney FC not where we want to be: Zullo

Oct 25, 2017 - 12:24 AM Tightening their famed defence is a priority for Sydney FC as they prepare for Friday's A-League clash with Perth Glory.

While unbeaten, the defending champions are "not anywhere near" the standard they want to reach after three rounds, particularly defensively, admits left back Michael Zullo.

Sydney FC conceded only 14 goals in 34 league and Cup matches last season, but they have leaked four in the last two rounds, two each against Wellington Phoenix and Western Sydney Wanderers.

And both those matches were at home, where since-departed goalkeeper Danny Vukovic was all but impregnable in 2016-17.

They intend to reinforce Allianz Stadium's fortress status against the Glory.

"That's probably the last thing that we need to do to get us on the right track for the rest of the season," Zullo said on Wednesday.

"I don't think it matters who we come up against, we expect to keep a clean sheet every single game."

A stronger start will also be in the Sky Blues' sights after coach Graham Arnold flagged tardy beginnings as another early season issue.

Zullo said ending that trend would be "a mental thing".

"We're always confident that we're going to come out and win, but it's a matter of ensuring that we're absolutely firing at 100 per cent from the get go and we don't just ease into it," he said.

"I think we have the quality, we just need to start well now."

It is a mark of the expectations of the club, Zullo thinks, that they have started the season with two wins and a draw but still aren't happy.

"We feel like we've got so much more to give and we're not anywhere near where we want to be," he said.

Source: AAP