Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold has hit out at critics suggesting his side employ excessively defensive tactics, following a captivating 2-2 draw with Adelaide United on Friday night.
Forwards Matt Simon and Filip Holosko both netted for the visitors to cancel out Sergio Cirio’s brace, in what was an impressive attacking display by the Sky Blues.
After the match, Arnold insisted it is simply people’s incorrect “perception” that view his side as a defensively set up team.
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“There has never been a bus parked, the difference is perception. Perception and people run with it,” Arnold asserted.
“We have controlled most, nearly every game this season in the opponent’s half.
“Against Melbourne Victory and against the Wanderers away from home we set our defensive line 10 metres further back than normal to minimise space in behind because that’s their strength.
“So it’s all perception and the perception is completely wrong and I have a very good team of footballer who play good football.
“But my focus from what I said yesterday is to always win, sometimes you don’t have a good day.”
Despite an overall improved outing, Arnold was disappointed with the way his defence conceded Cirio’s second goal, when Bruce Kamau drew four players before squaring it to the Spaniard.
“That was terrible. The players know it when you have four players around one and he can still get out, that was a cheap goal to give them, especially after getting back into the game,” Arnold confessed.
Arnold also remains undecided about who will be the regular starting left-back following the departure of Alex Gersbach to Norwegian giants Rosenborg BK.
“Yeah look it was a blow to lose Gersbach, I said publicly in Sydney I don’t agree with it.”
“My tactics change every week to who we’re playing and tonight was important to have two good defensive full-backs because Adelaide like to play a lot of diagonal balls and get the ball to wide wingers.
“The full-backs need to be very good defenders so that’s why I played Sebastian Ryall and Rhyan Grant there.
“Next week it could be totally different Ali Abbas is a player that can play in that role.
“David Carney played in the national team with me in that role and I’ve got Riley Woodcock back from injury.”
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