Sydney’s Daily Telegraph this morning carried a report that listed a number of problems believed to be wrong with the club, one of which says there is an attitude of arrogance at Sydney FC.

Milligan and Culina dismissed the story and insisted spirits remain high despite picking up just two points from four matches.

“Sometimes I may say things that may be headline-grabbing but it is unfair to the club to call it arrogance," said Culina.

"I’m a positive person. I believe in myself, I believe in my team, I believe in my club. I will continue to be like that irrespective of what the result will be on the weekend.”

The former Football NSW Technical Director also said he had been taken out of context when he likened Sydney FC to Manchester United, something he believes added to the perception of arrogance.

“In the context of the story it was mentioned that the pressures of this club is similar to that of Manchester United," he said.

"And it is correct because where else in Australia are you writing about a coach being sacked after four games than in Sydney?

“So the pressures are enormous and we know that. I never said we were Manchester United, so why should Sydney be accused of being arrogant?

"We said we had the same pressures as them. Pressures are there with every club. The pressures are similar to a big club. I did say Sydney and Melbourne are two markets that are terribly important for the game to succeed.”

He added: “It’s early days. Don’t write Sydney FC off. It’s not being arrogant, it’s not being cocky. Yes, we are confident.

“We have some good quality players, unfortunately our preparation has not been the best this year but you don’t write off a team with quality players.

"We’ll bounce back and I hope you acknowledge that as well.”

While Juninho will not take part in this weekend’s match against Queensland Roar, Sydney will be boosted by a rejuvenated Mark Milligan.

The U-23 and senior international said arrogance is not a problem within the team and that he is finally feeling full-strength.

“The last week has been the best I’ve felt since the Asian Cup,” admitted Milligan.

“I’ve had a good week’s training. I didn’t feel great against Wellington, but this is my job and I’m a professional. These are things I have to do with.

"I thought I was under par and I needed to be up for that game and I wasn’t."
He added: “I don’t know about arrogance. Every great side has a certain degree of arrogance. At the moment we can’t really be saying much.

“Journalists are just doing they’re job they can say what they will. We’re more focussed on ourselves, the attitude at training and getting that first win.”

Milligan is also adamant that FC will climb from the bottom of the ladder, and says the side need just one win to start their change in fortunes.

“We will turn it around," he vowed. "We have had a hard trot over the past couple of weeks but it’s really just a case of getting that first win and then we’ll be away.

"It’s always hard to get that first win when you’re struggling and down on a bit of confidence."

He added: “To get that first one out of the way is the most difficult. It’s not going to be easy against Queensland.

"They’re a very physical side and they look very hard but all the boys look more positive and the boys look sharper so we’re very confident going into the weekend.

“We will pull it together. Hopefully sooner rather than later, but we will pull it all together.”