Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold praises A-League standard but laments major marquee absence

GRAHAM Arnold is satisfied with the standard of football this season, but admits the A-League is probably missing the spark of a major marquee player.

GRAHAM Arnold is satisfied with the standard of football this season, but admits the A-League is probably missing the spark of a major marquee player after recent figures revealed that crowd attendances have dropped off.

The Sydney FC coach also says too many teams are employing negative tactics, with coaches more motivated by the desire not to lose their jobs than to win matches.

“Some coaches are setting out not to lose because they don’t want to lose their job. In the past you’ve got five or six coaches here getting the sack,” Arnold said.

“I’m definitely not worried, but some are a bit negative at the moment.

“It’s not negative football, from what I’ve seen in the games this year I think the games are better this year than last year. If I look at ourselves and if I look at round seven last year compared to round seven this year, we’re a much better team than what we were last year, so I think the standard is high.

“Every foreigner that’s been brought into the country by the coaches are really good quality and I think the standard is better. Maybe we are missing out on that one marquee player, the David Villa who set the tone last year — maybe it’s up to Melbourne City to bring out another.”

The Sky Blues play Wellington Phoenix at Allianz Stadium on Thursday night and, in another blow for crowd figures, Arnold isn’t convinced fans will make a habit of turning up in numbers for Thursday games.

Graham Arnold is concerned over the negative approach of some coaches.

“It’s good for viewers at home to watch football on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, but sometimes for the public to turn up, kids after school and after work hours, it probably can be difficult,” he said.

“But we’re hoping that our supporters get out on Thursday for one of our only Thursday night games of the year and let’s hope they enjoy the game.”

While Phoenix have benefited from the scheduling this week — they played the Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday and have remained in Sydney this week — the Sky Blues have to overcome a short turnaround after playing in trying conditions in Perth.

Arnold says his players have pulled up well and the squad has also been boosted by the return of Jacques Faty, who made a brief visit to France for personal reasons, but he is considering giving some of the younger players a go.

“I am considering some fresh legs,” he said.

“(We’ve got) a good young squad with depth and some of the young boys have been working extremely hard in training — every time they come off the bench they’re doing well, so maybe it’s time for them to start.

“Jacques is back, but he flew in on Saturday, so a trip to Europe and back we have to wait and see how he’s pulled up with the travel and the jet lag. I don’t normally do it, but I’ll probably wait until the last minute before I name the team this week.”

Originally published as Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold praises A-League standard but laments major marquee absence