Van’t Schip says Melbourne City will cope without suspended Harry Novillo

Van’t Schip says Melbourne City will cope without suspended Harry Novillo

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Melbourne City coach John van’t Schip says suspended striker Harry Novillo realises the gravity of what he has done in the past week.

Novillo was arrested for an alleged domestic dispute with his girlfriend in the wee hours of this past Tuesday morning, the incident, however, did not result with police charges.

The 24-year-old was then suspended for two weeks due to unprofessional conduct, the forward has proved vital for Melbourne City this season scoring 11 goals in 22 games.

“We’ve talked and we went through a process with him, it’s important he gets time to integrate him back into the team, physically and mentally and that’s it,” Van’t Schip said.

“All the other things that could be said is not on our game. We brought out a release in the press and I think that’s enough about Harry and focus on the game.”


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City face the Central Coast Mariners tomorrow night and are heavy favourites to take out three points.

The Mariners have struggled this season and sit last on the table on 12 points, more than two games behind Wellington Pheonix on 19 points.

City is looking to finish first and take out the premiership, yet van’t Schip conceded there was pressure because of the odds.

“There’s pressure tomorrow night because everybody expects us to win,” he said.

“We played Newcastle two weeks ago, everybody thought that would be a win and we lost.

“This league is not about because a team is lower they’ll lose, you have to be prepared play to your abilities and then the quality can give you that extra.

“If you’re not up to it, if you don’t show the right attitude, you’re going to struggle.”

The Dutchman also reflected on the teams improvement comparatively to the start of the season.

An overreliance on Aaron Mooy looked to be the case in the first few rounds of the season, but the team has eventually gelled to work collectively together, springing results in and now currently sitting fourth.

“The team has improved in their depth, everybody knows in that, we’re still away from being a team that could be more strong,” he said.

“I think physically I think players are still getting back to 100 per cent. Some players are not there yet, but with the game we still have to play.

“If everybody stays fit and then we can make those extra steps you need at the end of the season. It all depends on having the team spirit, staying fit and keep on growing as a team.”

With Novillo and Anthony Caceres suspended, City welcome back Jacob Melling and Steve Kuzmanovski tomorrow night. Aaron Hughes is a slight possibility of making a return from a torn calf injury.

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