Arnie tips ruthless Sky Blues in A-League
Nov 17, 2017 - 4:15 AM With the end of the Sky Blues' long unbeaten run, Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold expects a ruthless reaction on Saturday against A-League leaders Newcastle.A 2-0 away loss last week at Central Coast, combined with the Jets' win in Adelaide and Melbourne City's home draw with Western Sydney, sent the defending champions tumbling from first to third.
Arnold pinpointed one area in which he wanted his side to lift against the unbeaten Jets at Allianz Stadium.
"Attitude and that's it," Arnold said on Friday.
"The boys have been fantastic. One loss in 19 - these things happen.
"It's about a reaction and I know I will see a reaction.
"We will have that pressure on the ball tomorrow night and we will be ruthless in everything that we do."
Polish international Adrian Mierzejewski is back in selection contention after recovering from a hamstring injury.
Arnold revealed he was poised to give 20-year-old striker Charles Lokolingoy a go at some stage of Saturday's game.
"He'll be unleashed tomorrow night and he's one I'm sure that a lot of fans will be excited about and we've got players that are really pushing for positions now," Arnold said.
"Players that may have thought before that their position was safe also know that there's pressure now coming from within the group."
Arnold said his team selection wouldn't be influenced by the FFA Cup final his side will contest on Tuesday night against Adelaide United.
Defender Daniel Georgievski is back after a hamstring injury for a Jets team whose credentials will get their biggest test yet.
"I try not to place that much emphasis on one game. It all comes down to consistency over a period of time" Jets coach Ernie Merrick said.
Newcastle haven't beaten Sydney in the A-League since 2012 and have picked up just one point from their past six away games against the Sky Blues.
"We went 10 years without a win in Perth and we went over there and did that last year and the same with Adelaide (this season)," Jets goalkeeper Jack Duncan said.
"We've had three away wins to start the season, so I think we go in there with confidence and a game plan that hopefully we can execute."
Sydney captain Alex Brosque will make a club record 179th A-League appearance, surpassing former teammate Terry McFlynn.
STATS THAT MATTER:
* Sydney FC are undefeated in their past 13 games against Newcastle, have won each of their past eight meetings and have kept a clean sheet in the last six clashes
* Sydney FC will look to avoid consecutive A-League defeats for the first time since April 2016
* Newcastle are undefeated in six games. The last time they went longer without defeat was a seven-macth streak at the end of 2010
Stats supplied by Opta
Source: AAP
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