A-League: Alex Brosque making an impact for Sydney FC from bench

Sydney FC captain Alex Brosque says he is relishing his role off the bench this season.

Despite limited minutes off the bench for Sydney FC so far this season, Alex Brosque still has two goals to his name.

Sydney FC captain Alex Brosque says he is relishing his role off the bench this season and wants to make sure he looks after his legs before pushing for a starting spot again.

Brosque has been used as an impact player as the Sky Blues have made a flying start to the season, sitting top of the table after successive 4-0 wins over Western Sydney in the opening round and against Central Coast last Saturday.

A veteran of 144 games with Sydney FC, the 33-year-old has shown he still has plenty of life left, scoring in both games when coming on as a substitute in the second half.

“Look, I’d love to be starting,” Brosque said yesterday.

“But at the moment it is easier for me to come on with fresh legs when the opposition is tired and all the hard work has been done.

“To be honest, there is no reason to change the side because we are going fantastic with Milos (Ninkovic), Filip (Holsoko), Carnes (David Carney) and Bobo.

“ I am just happy to play whatever part I can for the team.” Brosque, who had surgery on the hamstring injury which cut short his 2015-16 campaign, has played just 40 minutes out of a possible 180 so far this season — 17 minutes against the Wanderers and 24 against the Mariners. Both times he came on for Carney.

“I feel great, the hamstring feels great,” he said. “I did a good deal of work in pre-season but I didn’t get to play 90 minutes (in trials). I’m still looking after the hammy because I want to be able to play all 27 or 30 games this season.

“To be honest, the surgery took a bit of a toll.

“There was a lot of rehabilitation involved and at my age I have to make sure I look after myself.”

Along with Melbourne City, Sydney have been the standout team of the opening two rounds, but Brosque was keen to put a lid on things.

“I’ve just come out of a team meeting with Arnie (coach Graham Arnold) and he made sure we keep our feet on the ground,” he said.

“Of course, he is happy but he warned us against getting carried away.

“I think we were in a similar situation last season. We were unbeaten after four or five rounds and you saw what happened in the end.”

A heavy schedule involving the A-League and Asian Champions League eventually took its toll and the club ended up missing out on the finals. But there is a noticeable difference in the Sydney camp this season.

The club is in the final four of the FFA Cup for first time and will play Canberra Olympic in Canberra tomorrow night for a place in the final.

“Sydney always wants success, always wants to be in the hunt for trophies and this game (against Canberra) is important for the club,” Brosque said.

“Arnie is going to put out his strongest side so that shows how desperate we are to win the cup.”