Rhyan Grant returns to boost Sydney FC bid to end slump

Sydney FC has admitted to a bout of Premiers Plate complacency and vowed to snap out of a slump, with defender Rhyan Grant fit again.

Sydnet defender Rhyan Grant; ‘Maybe subconsciously we might have taken our foot off the pedal.’ Picture: Getty Images

Sydney FC has admitted to a bout of Premiers Plate complacency as it vows to snap out of its slump on the back of the return of star Rhyan Grant.

The Sky Blues wrapped up the premiership with four games to play but have responded with their longest winless streak in four years – which coach Steve Corica accepts has been a result of his side taking their foot off the pedal.

But with just one fixture to play before the knockout finals format, time has almost run out for Sydney FC to get things right. A win against Western United at Leichhardt on Saturday becomes imperative so it doesn’t enter the finals with a five-game winless streak hanging over its head.

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“It’s difficult. I understand the boys, where they’re coming from. We won the league four games ago, so it’s just human nature to take the foot off the pedal a little bit,” Corica said on Thursday.

“There’s no doubt (there’s been complacency). You can definitely wipe it. Any team will say come finals it doesn’t matter where you finish in the league, (the semi-final is) a one-off game.

“You have to be at your best in that game and if you’re not, you could lose it. There’s a possibility of that. That’s what we’re preparing for. That’s their mentality.

“Sometimes it’s hard to flick the switch to make sure they’re ready for that, but it helps if we have a good performance on Saturday and get a win. Then you’re going into the semis confident.”

Sydney will be boosted by the return of Grant, sidelined with a groin injury since the club’s shock defeat to Newcastle last month.

“Maybe subconsciously we might have taken our foot off the pedal,” Grant said. “We’re well aware now we need to get stuck in and concentrate on this weekend. It’s the time to turn it around now.

“We need a little bit more drive, a little bit more hunger. What we’re great at doing here at Sydney FC is bouncing back, and we know that we are a great team. The last couple of years have proved that.”

Grant has been sorely missed throughout the winless run for both his experienced head in defence, and his ability to push forward and create chances for the team’s strike force of Adam le Fondre and Kosta Barbarouses. His comeback has been welcomed by Corica, who has lamented Sydney’s porous defence in recent weeks.

“Massive (boost). He’s all ­energy for us,” Corica said.

“He’s a national team player, a quality player (and) it’s good to have him back into the side at the right time. To bring him back at a good time because we are leaking goals we shouldn’t be, it helps the ­defence.”

The Daily Telegraph