Herbert unmoved by Sydney star’s absence
Coach says sorting out Phoenix roster far more pressing than rivals’ issues
Sydney FC with Alessandro del Piero could not beat the Wellington Phoenix but Ricki Herbert is not saying without the Italian maestro that the Sydneysiders will be any easier.
‘‘ It doesn’t necessarily work that way,’’ said Herbert before tomorrow’s Hyundai A- League Capital clash. ‘‘ But, to be fair, I concern myself more with what we need to do than worry too much about who might or might not play for them.’’
The Phoenix pulled off a first round boilover in beating Sydney 2- 0 in the season opener at Westpac Stadium. The much- touted, big spending club are at the bottom of the table with just two wins from the opening spread of nine games and while that is only one win less than the Phoenix, the two clubs are miles apart in other ways.
Sydney have had coach Ian Crook walk out, Steve Corica, moved up from his assistant role for a couple of games, and now have former Queensland Roar ( now Brisbane) boss Frank Farina on board.
It will not be the first time Farina and Herbert have gone head- to- head this year as they were coaches for Papua New Guinea and New Zealand at the Oceania Nations Cup in the Solomon Islands.
As well as losing del Piero to a minor hamstring injury, Farina will also be without Terry Antonis and Brett Emerton who are away on international duty.
Herbert has Ben Sigmund and Louis Fenton nursing niggling injuries and says it will be ‘‘ touch and go’’ but he hopes after training this morning the vibes will be good.
If that is the case, Herbert will put out the same team who beat Western Sydney Wanderers 1- 0 last Sunday, with Fenton to again play off the bench.
‘‘ One thing we will be looking to do better is putting the ball in the back of the net,’’ said Herbert. ‘‘ We are creating good scoring opportunities but not finishing them as well as we would like.’’
Of the different role Paul Ifill i s now playing, Herbert said he is comfortable with that.
‘‘ In the past we seemed to win when Paul was scoring. Now, with Stein [ Huysegems] and Brocks [ Jeremy Brockie] scoring we are not so reliant on Paul,’’ said Herbert. ‘‘ I have been very pleased with his [ Ifill] contribution and if it is a slightly different role it is still a valuable one.’’
With the midweek win over Waitakere United behind them, Herbert said he is pleased to be in a position where he can bring players like Benjamin Totori into games and get something different.
‘‘ I’m really pleased with what Benji has shown us,’’ said Herbert. ‘‘ He is excellent. I have a lot of time for him and he is learning every day. I would certainly have no problem with starting him if that situation arose.’’
Provided the Newcastle Jets do not beat table- topping Central Coast Mariners today, the Phoenix can move into the top four with a win over the Blues tomorrow.