To see yesterday's recovery session at Bondi...

Ross Aloisi is upset at the verbal stick his little brother is getting but says it has never occurred to John to lash out at those heckling him from the stands.

Ross insists no-one is more disappointed than John to see chances going begging but one thing that little brother won't be doing is throwing in the towel.

Ross told au.fourfourtwo.com today: "Not once has John said to me or our parents 'I'm getting hard done by'. He can understand the fans' frustration. I don't think you'd ever see him having a go at them.

"It's not nice (the abuse) but he's had stick before and he's come through it.

"John is pretty tough mentally and he will carry on working hard as he's always done. He's a fighter."

Ross would like to see a strong show of support from the club for their marquee man at this difficult time but feels it is nonsense to focus on one player's struggles at a time when results and performances are way below expectation levels.

He said: "I don't think Sydney are playing good football. Yes, John missed two chances but how many chances are they creating as a team? How many goals have they scored? How many are they conceding? Even if John had scored those goals they'd still have lost 4-3.

"There are bigger issues here. I think they are lacking someone in midfield to do the hard yards since Terry McFlynn got injured. I think there are too many similar players. There are good players at the club but it's not happening at the moment.

"I honestly don't think Sydney will make the (top) four."

As for Sydney's next challenge, a Boxing Day trip to Melbourne Victory is unlikely to provide Aloisi junior with a sympathetic audience.

Ross said: "Will, he play? I don't know but one thing's for sure, he'll put his hand up to play. Absolutely no question."

To see yesterday's recovery session at Bondi...