Sydney coach John Kosmina is poised to start Mark Rudan and bench Ruben Zadkovich as he looks to tinker with FC's structure ahead of their clash with the Jets.
To see the Jets training for their match against Sydney...
To see Sydney's latest training session...
“It's a little bit of a structural thing. Also, Ruben's had a bit of a virus and has missed some sessions, rather than push him as he has upcoming Olyroo commitments,” said Kosmina.
Kosmina expects Rudan to offer “a little bit more bite. He's aggressive and he has some height for the set pieces. He's a leader and he and Poppa [defender Tony Popovic] know each other really well.
“I've also heard a few whispers Newcastle have a few players out," added Kosmina.
The FC coach described Newcastle as “comfortable up front with guys who can score goals as well as a relatively good midfield who can knock the ball around.”
Kosmina also noted the danger of Jets talisman Joel Griffiths: “He's a winner and has one of the best work rates in the league.
“And Newcastle have proved, they can kill you in the last five minutes when the chips are down.”
In another boost for Sydney, their coach's touchline ban has been downgraded allowing him to have a much greater match-day influence in the game against Newcastle.
He will be allowed to communicate with his coaching staff on the bench during the game and be allowed to enter the dressing-room to address his players both before and at the break.
Asked if he was pleased, Kosmina quipped: “I quite enjoyed not having to talk to them. Ask me on Monday morning if I'm still pleased.”
Brendon Santalab, Nikolas Tsattalios or David Zdrilic are also set to miss out on a team place despite featuring against Central Coast Mariners.
Undefeated away from home this season, Sydney FC is the only team to have beaten Newcastle Jets at any venue - 1-0 at Sydney Football Stadium on September 29, when A-League top scorer Alex Brosque scored the only goal of the derby match.
Six-goal Brosque and his Sydney FC teammates, who include competition assists leader Juninho (who has set up four goals), will be looking to open the scoring early as Newcastle Jets have never come back from being 1-0 down to win an A-League game.
Sydney FC striker Patrick is likely to miss a month of action after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on the knee that has been giving him trouble recently.
To see the Jets training for their match against Sydney...
To see Sydney's latest training session...
To see Sydney's latest training session...
“It's a little bit of a structural thing. Also, Ruben's had a bit of a virus and has missed some sessions, rather than push him as he has upcoming Olyroo commitments,” said Kosmina.
Kosmina expects Rudan to offer “a little bit more bite. He's aggressive and he has some height for the set pieces. He's a leader and he and Poppa [defender Tony Popovic] know each other really well.
“I've also heard a few whispers Newcastle have a few players out," added Kosmina.
The FC coach described Newcastle as “comfortable up front with guys who can score goals as well as a relatively good midfield who can knock the ball around.”
Kosmina also noted the danger of Jets talisman Joel Griffiths: “He's a winner and has one of the best work rates in the league.
“And Newcastle have proved, they can kill you in the last five minutes when the chips are down.”
In another boost for Sydney, their coach's touchline ban has been downgraded allowing him to have a much greater match-day influence in the game against Newcastle.
He will be allowed to communicate with his coaching staff on the bench during the game and be allowed to enter the dressing-room to address his players both before and at the break.
Asked if he was pleased, Kosmina quipped: “I quite enjoyed not having to talk to them. Ask me on Monday morning if I'm still pleased.”
Brendon Santalab, Nikolas Tsattalios or David Zdrilic are also set to miss out on a team place despite featuring against Central Coast Mariners.
Undefeated away from home this season, Sydney FC is the only team to have beaten Newcastle Jets at any venue - 1-0 at Sydney Football Stadium on September 29, when A-League top scorer Alex Brosque scored the only goal of the derby match.
Six-goal Brosque and his Sydney FC teammates, who include competition assists leader Juninho (who has set up four goals), will be looking to open the scoring early as Newcastle Jets have never come back from being 1-0 down to win an A-League game.
Sydney FC striker Patrick is likely to miss a month of action after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on the knee that has been giving him trouble recently.
To see the Jets training for their match against Sydney...
To see Sydney's latest training session...
Related Articles
Last Socceroos World Cup home qualifier location confirmed
Canberra hoping for 2022 Matildas matches
