IVAN Necevski has no desire to play second fiddle between the Sydney FC sticks again as he embraces John Kosmina’s challenge to adopt a ‘number one mentality’.
The coach has made it clear to the 28-year-old that he wants a real headache when it comes to team selection in season four and Necevski is determined to step out from the shadow of Clint Bolton.
Necevski managed just one A-League appearance last season although he did get some game time in the recent Pan Pacific Championship in Hawaii.
The former Newcastle Jet told au.fourfourtwo.com: “I didn’t get much game time last year.
"I injured my ankle during pre-season while I was still playing at Blacktown and was out for three months. That was obviously a couple of steps backwards for me.
“But I’m fully fit now and looking forward to going back to Sydney FC for pre-season in about six weeks. I want to nudge Clint Bolton off that number one spot.”
Kosmina has made it clear to Necevski that he is looking to him to really come flying out of the blocks in pre-season.
He said: “He told me to get some games under my belt. When you come back for pre-season I want you battling for that number one spot.
"He said he didn’t want me to think that I was always going to be a number two. He said he wanted me to sort of come out of my shell and battle for the position. That’s what I intend to do.
“It was good to get some game time over in Hawaii against Houston and the LA Galaxy but I really want to get out there and show the A-League what I can do.
“Clint has done really well, we get on well and we work together at training. I’ve nothing against Clint but he’s holding the number one shirt that I want and I’m going to do everything to get it.”
Should the opportunity not come right away then Necevski, who is keeping up his match sharpness at Blacktown City once again, hopes the introduction of the new Youth League will be a huge boost for those stuck on A-League substitute benches.
The new format will allow for a small quantity of over-age players to feature in the games.
Necevski said: “It’s a change to show the coaching staff what we can do in a game situation and hopefully give them something to think about when it comes to selection. At the moment, if you’re not in the first XI then it’s difficult.”
Necevski managed just one A-League appearance last season although he did get some game time in the recent Pan Pacific Championship in Hawaii.
The former Newcastle Jet told au.fourfourtwo.com: “I didn’t get much game time last year.
"I injured my ankle during pre-season while I was still playing at Blacktown and was out for three months. That was obviously a couple of steps backwards for me.
“But I’m fully fit now and looking forward to going back to Sydney FC for pre-season in about six weeks. I want to nudge Clint Bolton off that number one spot.”
Kosmina has made it clear to Necevski that he is looking to him to really come flying out of the blocks in pre-season.
He said: “He told me to get some games under my belt. When you come back for pre-season I want you battling for that number one spot.
"He said he didn’t want me to think that I was always going to be a number two. He said he wanted me to sort of come out of my shell and battle for the position. That’s what I intend to do.
“It was good to get some game time over in Hawaii against Houston and the LA Galaxy but I really want to get out there and show the A-League what I can do.
“Clint has done really well, we get on well and we work together at training. I’ve nothing against Clint but he’s holding the number one shirt that I want and I’m going to do everything to get it.”
Should the opportunity not come right away then Necevski, who is keeping up his match sharpness at Blacktown City once again, hopes the introduction of the new Youth League will be a huge boost for those stuck on A-League substitute benches.
The new format will allow for a small quantity of over-age players to feature in the games.
Necevski said: “It’s a change to show the coaching staff what we can do in a game situation and hopefully give them something to think about when it comes to selection. At the moment, if you’re not in the first XI then it’s difficult.”
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