Schenkeveld gives City’s youngsters a derby rev-up

City defender Bart Schenkeveld implored their young players to adopt a “big-club mentality” ahead of the Melbourne derby.

Bart Schenkeveld, right, is determined to win with Melbourne City. Picture: Getty Images

Melbourne City defender Bart Schenkeveld implored their young players to adopt a “big club mentality”, declaring that a derby win tonight would be the perfect statement as they strive for consistency.

Despite a rollercoaster season, City enter the derby with their tails up after a 2-0 win at Adelaide United, with Schenkeveld revealing that morale was high despite the standoff between Bruno Fornaroli and coach Warren Joyce.

With Joyce leaning on his youngsters in the wake of Fornaroli’s absence, Schenkeveld said it was time to stand up.

“I’m a professional and I will do everything to win something with the team. Sometimes with younger guys there’s inconsistency, because a lot of kids are playing and they have to learn really quick that you have to deliver every week,’’ he said.

“We are not, with all (due) respect, at Central Coast or (somewhere) else. We are here at Melbourne City and people expect to win and players need to think like this as well.

“Some need to learn that we have to deliver every single week with a win, and give some confidence.

“We’re looking forward to this game.

“It is a learning process, they’re young. But we have a lot of quality if you talk about the kids. They need to get confidence, experience and it’s waiting on them to take the next step.”

Schenkeveld was looking forward to reigniting his battle with Victory striker Ola Toivonen after their Eredivisie duels with Heracles Almelo and PSV Eindhoven respectively. “I have always respect for my opponent. They’re doing good at the moment, but Saturday we’re going for the win and that’s all that matters. I’ll say that to my teammates as well,’’ Schenkeveld said.

“Toivonen is a good player. He’s maybe not the fastest but he has a good header, good touch, he’s a smart player.

“We played a few times (against each other). You always look at how they play.

“But it’s what I do in the week and what I bring on the table that makes the difference to win the battles or not. I always look to myself.”

Schenkeveld admitted at the start of the season that not everyone was on the same page last season during a campaign that saw Tim Cahill, Fernando Brandan and Neil Kilkenny depart.

Despite a similar situation unfolding with Fornaroli, he said the atmosphere was good inside the team.

“It’s a good feeling. Everybody is focused on Saturday and we’ll do everything to win that game for our fans,’’ he said.