Melbourne City FC Head Coach Warren Joyce says his side will be looking to continue their cup run when they host Newcastle Jets in the FFA Cup at AAMI Park on Wednesday night.
The Round of 16 clash will be City’s first on home soil this season and the team is eager to get off to an impressive start in front of the home fans as they look to qualify for the Quarter Finals of the competition.
“It’s the first home game, it’s a game we are looking to win in front of our home fans. We are wanting to put on a show and entertain them, show some spirit and show some style,” Joyce said.
“Obviously it’s good to play in front of the home crowd again, it’s a big game, and you know all the lads are looking forward to it,” he added. “We want to keep the cup run going, it’s important at this stage of the season and it’s important to get off to a good start in front of our home fans.”
Newcastle Jets are the second consecutive A-League side that City has drawn in the competition following their extra-time win over Brisbane Roar in the Round of 32. The Jets also knocked City out of the A-League Semi-Finals last season. Despite this, Joyce is adamant that his team’s opponent is irrelevant at this stage of the season.
“It’s just a game you want to win,” he said. “Whoever we play at this particular stage of the Cup, we want to win the game and it’s as simple as that really.”
“We know a little bit about one another, they’ve got maybe one or two new faces, we’ve got maybe one or two new faces, but the majority of the players played in that game and it’s a game we want to win, it’s as simple as that.
“Last season is irrelevant now, it’s a new season, some new players and we have to start to improve on last year and that’s the aim.
“We’ve trained hard, we’ve worked towards the game, so you just want to put on a good performance for the fans and start the season well.”
Ahead of the match against the Jets, the City boss says he has been impressed by the work ethic of his new signings and has signalled the Club’s intent on filling the roster.
“I think the young players have come in and have settled in really well,” he explained.
“They’re confident, they’ve worked extremely hard over the pre-season and they’ve fitted in with the type of people we want at the football club. They’re desperate to do well – and there’s plenty knocking on the door.
“I think we’ve got 8-9 players now under 20 or around about 20. As a first team squad, it’s probably one of the youngest squads in the league so there are plenty of opportunities for the young kids to step forward.
“I still think there’s plenty of time between now and October, and obviously we have other places left on the roster as well to add to the overall strength of the squad.”
