Rudan puts past to one side as Phoenix look to upset Sydney FC

Phoenix coach Mark Rudan doesn’t know what to expect when he walks to his seat for the game against Sydney FC.

Wellington Phoenix coach Mark Rudan. Picture: Getty Images

Wellington Phoenix coach Mark Rudan doesn’t know what to expect when he walks to his seat for the game against Sydney FC at Jubilee Stadium this afternoon.

It doesn’t seem that long ago that the man the Sydney fans christened “Big Blue Man” wore the distinctive Sydney FC sky blue jersey as he led the team out on to the field.

An imposing figure with a heart to match, Rudan was the rock on which the Sydney defence was built during his three seasons at the club.

Sentiment, however, will have to take a back seat as Rudan looks to try to halt his former club’s solid start to the A-League season and see his own team climb away from near the bottom of the table.

The 43-year-old, who took the difficult reins at Phoenix at the start of the season, said he had kept the focus away from the side issues surrounding the game.

“No, there is nothing different in the way I have been approaching this game,” Rudan said yesterday. “As a coach you prepare exactly the same.

“To be honest, I don’t know how I will feel when I walk out there tomorrow.

“I had three really good years there and built some great relationships with the fans and the coaching staff.

“I roomed with (assistant coach) Ufuk (Talay) for three years and Bimbi (Sydney coach Steve Corica) and I were teammates and won a championship together.

“Then there is second assistant Robbie Stanton … we played together at Sydney United (in the days of the NSL), so there are plenty of connections.

“But it is business as usual. It is all about my team and the best preparation we can have.”

The priority for Rudan is for Phoenix to build on last week’s solid 1-1 draw with competition leaders Perth Glory. The Kiwis led 1-0 before having a player sent off, allowing Glory to equalise in the 82nd minute.

“This period will be a bit of a test. We had the league leaders last week and now we are playing one of the real heavyweight championship contenders away from home this week,” Rudan said. “We have no fear.

“I told them to go out and play in the same manner as last week and I want players with courage who want to play and want the ball.

“Of course, we have studied them closely and we know how they play, it is the same style as the last couple of seasons because Bimbi has carried on what Arnie (Graham Arnold) started.

“We have a plan and we have worked hard this week to ensure we execute it against them.”

Phoenix have been buoyed by the news that Roy Krishna has been granted New Zealand citizenship, opening up a spot for another international.