Sydney FC urged to learn from resurgent Jets

Midfielder Ufuk Talay believes Sydney FC needs to look no further than Saturday night’s opponents, Newcastle Jets, for inspiration and guidance as to how easily a team’s fortunes can change in an instant.

Sydney FC takes on a resurgent Newcastle at Energy Australia Stadium on Saturday night with the Jets on a high following three consecutive victories.

Before defeating the New Zealand Knights, Queensland Roar and Adelaide United, Newcastle was a team under pressure, going through the first seven weeks without a single victory.

Sydney FC has started far better than that but needs a win to kick-start a charge towards a top-two place and Talay believes one victory will send the Defending Champions on its way.

“You only have to look at what Newcastle has done in the last three weeks to see how quickly things can turn around,” Talay said. “We aren’t that far off a win because we have played well in the first half against Melbourne and Perth but not been able to finish them off.

“If we win one game we will be fine because it’s not as though we have been playing badly.

“Newcastle won one game and got some confidence and they have gone from there.”

While hopeful Sydney FC can learn from Newcastle’s recent form surge, Talay is also aware the game is going to be particularly tough.

Newcastle has won three games on the bounce and they are in good form plus Sydney FC has just 13 players available as injury and suspension cuts deep into the squad.

“Newcastle is a good example for us but they are also a team in form and it will be hard on Saturday night,” Talay said. “We are a little short on numbers, but we go into the game confident, as we always do.

“Newcastle has some quality players and we will need to be on our game, for 90 minutes, if we are to turn things around this week.”

Sydney FC Squad: 1. Clint Bolton (gk), 2. Iain Fyfe, 3. Alvin Ceccoli, 6. Ufuk Talay, 7. Robbie Middleby, 8. Ruben Zadkovich, 9. David Zdrilic, 11. Sasho Petrovski, 13. Jeremy Brockie, 14. Alex Brosque, 20. Justin Pasfield, 21. Nikolai Topor-Stanley and 22 Matthew Bingley.

A-League Round 11

Newcastle Jets vs Sydney FC
Saturday Night, November 4
Energy Australia Stadium, Newcastle
Kick off: 7:00pm (local/AEDT)

Live Coverage on Fox Sports Three from 7:00pm (AEDT).