Crunch time for Sky Blues

3 Comments

10 February 2012-AAP

Back in the mix... Emerton returns to Sydney's line-up afte rinjury (Getty Images)

Sydney FC and Perth Glory regard their A-league clash on Saturday as a massive game, with the local team desperate to improve on its miserable home form.

Lavicka has players' respect

Ferguson job not guaranteed

Arnold in frame for Sydney FC gig

Last weekend's 5-2 thrashing by Newcastle Jets represented Sydney's fifth loss in 10 home games, only three of which it has won.

The crushing defeat bumped Sydney out of the top six.

Fourth-placed Perth comes to Sydney riding high on the back of an eight-match unbeaten streak.

Sydney coach Vitezslav Lavicka said every game was like a grand final for his club, while marquee player Brett Emerton attached enormous importance to the SFS clash.

"I think its arguably probably the most important game of our season so far," Emerton told reporters.

"Perth are doing very well, but that doesn't mean that we can't go out here and get one over them, because I think historically we've done pretty well against them in the past, so I think we can do it again.

"It's a massive game on the weekend."

Perth has scored 11 goals in its past three games, beating the three lowest teams on the ladder, but expects a far tougher assignment against Sydney.

"We know this Saturday is going to be a massive game," Perth midfielder Steven McGarry told AAP.

"I think the situation there (Sydney) just now, there's a lot of pressure on their guys over there.

"They lost their last home game 5-2, so I'm sure those guys will be definitely wanting to rectify the situation there. It will be a really really tough game."

Lavicka, who will leave Sydney at the end of the season, apologised for the "embarrassing" display against Newcastle.

He said he had told his players not to give up on their season and pick themselves up physically and psychologically.

The two previous match-ups between the sides this season resulted in a 1-0 win for Sydney in Perth, where it absorbed enormous second-half pressure, and a 1-1 draw in Campbelltown.

"Every game against Sydney is always a tough game. It's always quite evenly matched - there's always maybe one or two goals in it," McGarry said.

"I think it's going to be pretty cagey early on and I think the first goal is going to be really vital."

Sydney welcomes back Emerton from a hamstring injury but has lost skipper Terry McFlynn to suspension and striker Mark Bridge to an ankle problem.