Farina wields axe ... Out of form Brett Emerton is expected to be dropped for the Big Blue. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited
Sydney FC coach Frank Farina poised to drop Brett Emerton from side to take on Melbourne Victory
Though Farina is still monitoring the fitness of a couple of players, whose injuries may yet stay his hand, he is believed to be minded to relegate Emerton to the bench after a season where he has struggled for any consistent form.
It would complete a depressing week for Sydney's marquee, after Holger Osieck left him out of the Socceroos squad on Wednesday for the World Cup qualifier with Oman on March 26 leading to speculation that one of Australian football's most valued servants could be stranded on 95 caps.
But Farina wants to combat Victory's high-octane style with pace and aggression, with Blake Powell and Rhyan Grant among those under consideration to replace Emerton.
Grant has successfully filled in at leftback but Brazilian Fabio Alves is available again after suspension.
Farina though will definitely be without Lucas Neill, after the Socceroos captain's calf injury was deemed too much of a risk this weekend. Adam Griffiths and Tiago Calvano will continue at centreback.
"If he did it again that would be Lucas gone for the season, and he only rejoined training today," said Farina. "At this stage there's no real point taking a risk with him, it's not a position where we're desperate at the moment.''
| P | W | D | L | GD | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Western Sydney | 24 | 16 | 2 | 6 | 15 | 50 |
| 2 | Central Coast | 24 | 13 | 6 | 5 | 22 | 45 |
| 3 | Victory | 24 | 12 | 4 | 8 | 3 | 40 |
| 4 | Adelaide | 24 | 12 | 3 | 9 | 3 | 39 |
| 5 | Sydney | 24 | 9 | 3 | 12 | -8 | 30 |
| 6 | Newcastle | 25 | 8 | 6 | 11 | -12 | 30 |
| 7 | Brisbane | 24 | 8 | 5 | 11 | 1 | 29 |
| 8 | Perth | 24 | 8 | 4 | 12 | -2 | 28 |
| 9 | Heart | 24 | 8 | 3 | 13 | -4 | 27 |
| 10 | Wellington | 25 | 6 | 6 | 13 | -18 | 24 |
It comes as Alessandro Del Piero demanded that his teammates relive the two horror defeats against Victory this season and take heed to ensure there will be no repeat.
A 3-2 A-League defeat in November when Sydney were 2-0 ahead late in the game precipitated the resignation of Ian Crook, while Sydney succumbed meekly in losing 3-1 to Victory at AAMI Park in January.
Sydney are desperate for the three points now amid a logjam of teams fighting for fifth and sixth spots.
"When you lose there's a lot to learn," he said. "That's why we have to think about what happened in the two games against Victory they were very different but we can learn from the first one that nothing is earned until the end.
"We were 2-0 up easily and lost in in 10 minutes. The other one they started better than us and carried right through to the end. The lesson is to stay concentrated one hundred percent from the start to the end.
"We have to think that every single situation and moment of the game is the most important one in the game. That is the first step for us to play good.
Read our exclusive interview with Clint Bolton to find out what the Big Blue means to players on each side of the divide.
"We are in a position with a chance to go to the playoffs, which is very good when you think about our start [to the season]. So we must go onto the field and fight, and play, and keep energy to try to win."
Del Piero also reiterated Farina's call for the team to show the discipline it had in beating the Central Coast lastt weekend, and avoid careless cautions and dismissals.
"A few weeks ago Victory beat us 3-1 and we got two red cards," he said. "Usually with 11 men it's better than 10. That's why we have to be concentrating in the first minute.
"Every single ball is very very important, it can decide the game. Same for the yellow cards, same for the tackles, same for every part of the game."
Watch Sydney FC host Melbourne Victory LIVE and in High Definition at Allianz Stadium at 7.45pm (EDT) on Saturday Fox Sports 3HD.
